Exclusive: Russia develops new assault tank armed with 152mm howitzer to maximize firepower against fortified targets.

On June 18, 2025, a Russian patent filed by a team of engineers affiliated with the Yuri Gagarin State Technical University in Saratov described a new concept for a heavily modified assault tank. The patent outlines the integration of a short-barreled 152 mm low-ballistic gun, a remote-controlled weapon station with a 30 mm automatic cannon and rocket infantry flamethrowers, an active laser countermeasure system, onboard reconnaissance UAVs, and bulldozer equipment fitted with dynamic protection. The design aims to improve the combat efficiency of Russian tanks in urban, mountainous, and high-threat environments by adapting existing T-72, T-80, T-90, and T-14 platforms into multifunctional vehicles for reconnaissance, breaching, support fire, and counter-drone defense roles.
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This assault tank integrates a remotely operated weapon station, active and passive protection systems, and a laser-based countermeasure system to address threats from drones, top-attack munitions, and targets approaching from multiple directions. (Picture source: Yuri Gagarin State Technical University)

The tank described in the patent uses a shortened 152 mm howitzer with a muzzle brake, which enables higher elevation angles up to 60 degrees for indirect fire, and increases maneuverability in confined urban areas. This modification addresses the limitations of traditional main battle tank guns that typically offer only 15 degrees of elevation, which is insufficient for engaging elevated targets such as upper floors or mountainous positions, a drawback that has already led Russia to develop the BMPT Terminator. However, the shortening of the barrel significantly reduces muzzle energy, which negatively impacts the effectiveness of armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds. This limitation is mitigated by the use of high-explosive fragmentation shells, which, at 152 mm caliber, are stated to be 2.5 to 3 times more effective than 125 mm equivalents. The tank can also fire guided munitions, including self-homing projectiles of inertial or active-reactive types, launched either through the main gun or from external containers, designed to strike armored targets from the upper hemisphere using radar and infrared seekers and stabilizing fins, with a parachute to slow descent for improved accuracy.

To support indirect fire and improve situational awareness, the design incorporates a reconnaissance-fire system consisting of onboard UAVs and a telescopic mast with electro-optical devices. These UAVs, capable of carrying either surveillance systems or weapons, can identify targets and relay coordinates to the fire control system. Once target data is received, the tank can launch a guided projectile that uses an onboard seeker for final homing. This design concept resembles the functionality of the South Korean K2’s KSTAM munition. The system enhances the tank's ability to engage targets outside line-of-sight, including through urban obstacles, from cover, or across terrain discontinuities, and allows targeting of anti-tank guided missile teams and drone operators. The UAVs, combined with a fire control interface integrated into both the commander’s and gunner’s stations, expand the tank’s flexibility across mission profiles beyond traditional armored warfare roles.

The patent includes a remote-controlled weapon station mounted on the turret roof, which integrates a 30 mm automatic cannon and containers for rocket-propelled infantry flamethrowers, most likely the RPO‑A Shmel or its upgraded RPO‑M/PDM‑A Shmel‑M variant. This module features independent 360-degree rotation and wide elevation ranges, allowing it to engage aerial threats, including drones and low-flying helicopters, as well as targets located in multistory buildings, mountainous regions, or rugged terrain. The remote station operates independently from the main turret’s movement and is designed to function in tandem with active protection systems (APS) such as Arena-M and Drozd-2. In such configurations, the module can be automatically cued to engage incoming threats from the upper hemisphere, such as top-attack anti-tank missiles and loitering munitions. The module is controlled either by the tank commander or gunner and is configured to fire with programmable ammunition or thermobaric warheads, depending on the threat type and engagement parameters.

A distinctive feature of the proposed tank configuration is the integration of an autonomous active laser countermeasure system into the remote weapon station. This system includes a built-in laser rangefinder and a quantum generator, used both for target designation and range calculation. Unlike the Chinese JD-3 system on the Type 99 tank, which is integrated into the hull, this configuration is designed as a self-contained module directly associated with the remote weapon station. The system is capable of increasing output power to enable disruption of guidance systems on incoming missiles or UAVs. It may also support detection functions when integrated with an APS, using a rotating laser beam to continuously scan for threats. The beam’s reflections can be analyzed to determine target type, direction, and speed, enabling engagement with either the laser itself, the 30 mm cannon, or the flamethrower launcher depending on the assessed threat. The laser-based detection and tracking mechanism can work in conjunction with the APS’s projectile intercept system, supporting layered active defense across multiple azimuths and elevation sectors.

To increase survivability in urban operations, the design includes bulldozer equipment intended both for obstacle removal and as a passive and active defense element. The bulldozer blade incorporates dynamic protection modules using reinforced metal containers. These containers are intended to absorb or disrupt the detonation of anti-tank munitions before impact with the hull, serving as a standoff protective layer. The concept aims to reduce crew vulnerability during frontal engagements in close quarters, such as during street fighting or when breaching barricades. This addition is meant to address the recognized weakness of tanks in dense environments where angles of attack are varied and threats are often located above or at close range. The blade’s protection modules complement the tank’s overall APS and remote weapon systems, contributing to multi-layered defense against a spectrum of battlefield threats.

According to the patent, the assault tank retains the ability to use all standard tank munitions in addition to guided or reactive shells. The vehicle's weapon layout includes a 152 mm low-ballistic howitzer, the aforementioned 30 mm autocannon and flamethrower containers, and optionally a 7.62 mm machine gun, paired with a horizontal autoloader replacing the traditional vertical one. The weapon station is designed to operate independently from the turret’s movements, enhancing flexibility in threat response. The fire control system coordinates inputs from the UAVs, mast-mounted sensors, and laser rangefinder. The vehicle’s ability to detect, track, and engage threats from various altitudes and directions without relying solely on turret alignment is emphasized as a key feature of this upgrade. The described improvements are intended to extend the relevance of legacy Russian tanks by aligning them with new battlefield requirements, especially in environments characterized by dense terrain, drone saturation, and multi-vector threats.