Discover the Soviet Union's 'unique' laser-firing tank

Thanh Thao• May 23, 2023 06:55

At the end of the Cold War, the Soviet Union began thinking about developing a tank equipped with a laser that could blind the guidance systems of enemy missiles or vehicles.

According to Techinsider, in the late 1980s, Soviet military experts developed a 1K17 Szhatie self-propelled laser system based on the Msta-S self-propelled artillery platform, using the T-80 tank chassis and T-72 tank engine for a maximum speed of 60 km/h.

1K17 Szhatie was developed to neutralize enemy opto-electronic equipment. Szhatie is specially designed to generate a laser beam through a 30 kg block of artificial ruby.

Close-up of the Soviet 1K17 Szhatie laser-launching tank. Photo: Wikipedia

The turret size on the Szhatie was significantly increased to accommodate optoelectronic equipment. Optical equipment consisting of 15 lenses was installed at the front of the tank. To operate the Szhatie, a powerful generator with a backup battery system was developed.

According to the manufacturer, the reflector lenses placed at the end of a twisted silver tube help amplify the laser beam and increase its focusing ability. Each lens emits laser light at a different frequency and uses its own control system, making it impossible for an opponent to block the entire beam.

The Szhatie is also equipped with a 12.7mm or 14.5mm machine gun to defend itself against enemy infantry and aircraft.

Photo: Wikipedia

In December 1990, a prototype of the 1K17 Szhatie was built. In 1992, the device passed the tests. However, due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, many weapons development projects were stopped and the creation of a laser tank became unnecessary.

Only two complete versions of the 1K17 Szhatie were built, but one was later scrapped. The other is on display at the Museum of Military Technology outside Moscow. The laser system has been removed from the hangar.

The laser tank was not put into service with the Russian army, but many of the technical specifications of the laser tank are still being researched to this day.

According to Sandbox experts, although the laser tank is not mass-produced, it is a highly effective platform capable of blinding enemy opto-electronic equipment long before being detected.