The primary weapon of the T-72B tank is the 125mm 2A46M special tank smoothbore gun-launcher featuring an increased barrel length and decreased normal recoil. Owing to the updating of the gun, its firing accuracy and operational properties were substantially improved. Moreover, the gun's capability to fire guided projectiles made it possible to increase the effective range of fire at armored targets to 4,000 m (compared with 3,000 m for the M1A2 and Leopard and 3,400 m for the Leclerc), with a 0.8 probability of hitting a tank-type target. In addition, the gun design enables the barrel to be replaced in field conditions owing to the introduction of the barrel-to-breech ring quick-disconnect threaded joint.

TANK T-72B CHARACTERISTICS
The gun breech mechanism permits it to be opened in two cycles, thus reducing the effort applied for the purpose. The recoil brake cylinders are secured symmetrically to the gun barrel, which favorably contributes to fire accuracy due to the absence of gun torque during recoil. The recoil system provides for free recoil until the projectile exits from the barrel bore.
The gun is provided with a built-in device enabling the crew to collimate the sight without leaving the tank.
The fire is delivered by separate case artillery rounds with hypervelocity armor-piercing (HVAP), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), HE fragmentation projectiles and guided missiles having a HEAT warhead. All artillery rounds have the same charge with a partially combustible case. The case, after the round is fired, is automatically ejected by the disposal mechanism through a special hatch in the turret roof.

The 3UBK-14 round consists of the 9M119 missile and a propellant. Its dimensions are similar to those of an ordinary artillery round; therefore, its loading into a cell of the automatic loader carousel and subsequently into the gun does not differ from the loading of an artillery round. The gun ammunition load consists of 45 rounds, 22 of which are arranged in the automatic loader carousel.
The 9K120 guided weapon system ensures daytime stationary and short-halt fire at a range of 100 to 4,000 m. It is equipped with a semiautomatic jam-proof laser beam missile control system.
The fire control system comprises the 1A40-1 sighting complex based on the TPD-K1 laser ranging sight of the T-72A tank. The field of view of the sight is stabilized in two planes.
For firing artillery rounds at night and launching guided missiles in daytime, provision is made for the 1K13-49 tracker, which is included into the 9K120 guided weapon system. It can operate in both the active and the passive mode.
The gun is stabilized in two planes by means of the 2E42-2 stabilizer provided with the electrohydraulic elevating drive and electromechanical traversing drive.

Frankly, if Jacques doesn't know we're screwed

Quoted Text

---

Frankly, if Jacques doesn't know we're screwed

---

We? You may be, there are those of us who are not.

Sensitive wee fella aren't you!

Sensitive wee fella aren't you!