Overview

Object 430 was a Soviet experimental medium tank developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s at the Kharkov Design Bureau (KhKBM). The design introduced numerous innovations including a compact layout, advanced fire control, and pioneering use of composite armor. While Object 430 itself did not enter production, its development directly influenced the T-64 main battle tank and established design principles that shaped Soviet armor for decades.

Specification Summary

Commonly cited specifications include:

  • Weight: approximately 34,000 kg
  • Crew: 3 (commander, gunner, driver) with autoloader
  • Main armament: 115mm U-5TS smoothbore gun
  • Secondary armament: 7.62mm PKT machine gun (coaxial)
  • Engine: 5DTF 5-cylinder opposed-piston diesel, approximately 580 hp
  • Maximum speed: approximately 55 km/h
  • Armor: Composite armor on frontal arc, estimated 200+ mm effective
  • Autoloader: Mechanical autoloader system

Design Context

Object 430 was developed as part of efforts to create a new generation of Soviet medium tanks with protection approaching heavy tanks while maintaining mobility and a lower weight class. The project reflected lessons from World War II and aimed to exploit new technologies including:

  • Compact high-power diesel engines
  • Smoothbore guns with advanced ammunition
  • Composite armor materials
  • Automated loading systems

The chief designer was Alexander Morozov, who had led T-34 development during World War II.

Technical Innovations

Compact layout: Extremely efficient use of internal volume through:

  • Horizontal engine arrangement
  • Autoloader eliminating loader position
  • Optimized ammunition storage
  • Reduced crew to three members

5DTF engine: Revolutionary opposed-piston diesel design providing high power in minimal volume, though with some cooling and maintenance challenges.

115mm smoothbore gun: Early adoption of smoothbore technology, later standardized across Soviet armor. Better armor penetration than contemporary rifled guns.

Composite armor: Pioneering use of layered armor combining steel and non-metallic materials for improved protection against shaped charges and kinetic penetrators.

Autoloader: Mechanical carousel system storing ammunition in protected location below turret ring.

Development Timeline

  • 1953-1957: Initial design studies and requirements development
  • 1957-1960: Prototype construction and refinement
  • 1960-1961: Extended testing program
  • 1961: Further development into Object 432
  • 1962-1966: Object 432 development leads to T-64 production

Variants and Evolution

Object 430: Initial prototype series.

Object 430U: Modified variant with improved armor and fire control.

Object 432: Evolution with further refinements, direct precursor to T-64.

T-64: Production implementation of many Object 430 concepts.

Testing and Performance

Testing demonstrated significant advances over contemporary designs:

  • Protection equivalent to heavier tanks
  • Good mobility and power-to-weight ratio
  • Effective fire control and stabilization
  • Reliable autoloader operation

Challenges identified included:

  • Engine cooling requirements
  • Maintenance complexity of opposed-piston engine
  • Crew ergonomics in cramped layout
  • Ammunition capacity limitations with autoloader

Legacy and Influence

Object 430's innovations directly shaped Soviet tank development:

  • T-64: Incorporated most Object 430 concepts
  • T-72: Simplified parallel development using related principles
  • T-80: Gas turbine variant maintaining autoloader and layout
  • T-90: Modern continuation of design lineage

The compact three-man layout with autoloader became standard for Soviet/Russian main battle tanks, distinguishing them from Western designs. The emphasis on low profile, composite armor, and smoothbore guns influenced global tank development.

Technical Documentation

Several Object 430 prototypes were preserved and have been documented at Russian military technical museums. The design lineage through T-64 to modern Russian tanks demonstrates the lasting impact of the concept.

Related Equipment

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 and prototype variants.