Overview

Object 279 was a Soviet experimental heavy tank developed in the late 1950s with a unique four-track suspension system and flying-saucer-shaped hull. The design was intended to provide protection against nuclear weapons effects and operate across extreme terrain including rubble and crater-damaged battlefields. Though never entering production, Object 279 represents one of the most distinctive armored vehicle designs of the Cold War period.

Specification Summary

Commonly cited specifications include:

  • Weight: approximately 60,000 kg
  • Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
  • Main armament: 130mm M-65 rifled gun
  • Secondary armament: 14.5mm KPVT machine gun (coaxial)
  • Engine: 2DG-8M diesel, approximately 950-1000 hp
  • Track configuration: 4 independent tracks (2 per side)
  • Maximum speed: approximately 55 km/h
  • Armor: Heavily sloped, estimated 305mm effective at hull front

Design Context

Object 279 was developed during the period when Soviet military doctrine was adapting to nuclear battlefield requirements. The design brief called for a tank that could:

  • Survive near-miss nuclear blast effects
  • Traverse terrain disrupted by nuclear strikes
  • Provide NBC protection for the crew
  • Maintain firepower and mobility in extreme conditions

The project was led by the Kirov Factory (later Leningrad Kirov Plant) with L.S. Troyanov as chief designer.

Technical Features

Four-track suspension: The most distinctive feature was the use of four independent tracks arranged in two levels on each side. This configuration:

  • Distributed weight over a larger ground contact area
  • Reduced ground pressure for soft ground mobility
  • Provided redundancy if tracks were damaged
  • Allowed crossing of extremely rough terrain

Hull design: The elliptical, low-profile hull with extreme slope angles was intended to:

  • Deflect blast waves from nuclear detonations
  • Present minimal silhouette
  • Maximize armor effectiveness through slope

130mm gun: The M-65 gun provided firepower comparable to heavy tanks of the period with better armor-penetration characteristics than standard 122mm weapons.

NBC protection: Sealed crew compartment with filtration and overpressure system.

Development Timeline

  • 1957: Design work begins at Kirov Factory
  • 1959: Prototype construction completed
  • 1959-1960: Testing program at Kubinka proving grounds
  • 1960: Project cancelled following policy shift away from heavy tanks
  • Present: Surviving prototype preserved at Kubinka Tank Museum

Testing and Performance

Testing reportedly demonstrated:

  • Excellent cross-country performance on soft ground and obstacles
  • Very low ground pressure despite 60-ton weight
  • Good stability and accuracy during firing
  • Some complexity in maintenance and operation of the four-track system

The unusual suspension proved mechanically reliable during trials but added significant complexity compared to conventional designs.

Cancellation Context

Object 279 was cancelled as part of a broader shift in Soviet armored doctrine under Khrushchev. The decision to end heavy tank development reflected:

  • Emphasis on guided missiles over heavy armor
  • Focus on main battle tank concept (lighter, more mobile)
  • Questions about survivability assumptions in nuclear environment
  • Economic considerations and production complexity

Significance

While never produced, Object 279 represents:

  • Peak of Soviet heavy tank development
  • Creative approach to nuclear battlefield requirements
  • Advanced thinking in automotive design and suspension systems
  • Historical marker of doctrinal transition in Soviet armor

The vehicle's unique appearance has made it iconic in Cold War military technology history.

Related Equipment

Reference Materials

The surviving Object 279 prototype at Kubinka Tank Museum has been extensively documented and represents a unique period in Soviet armored vehicle development.

This reference page documents historical military equipment for educational and research purposes. Specifications are based on commonly available technical literature and may vary between sources.