There is information that the Object 292 tank prototype currently on display at the Kubinka Museum has been tested under combat conditions.
Object 292 features a 152 mm main gun, providing firepower that surpasses all tanks in the world now and in the future.
The Ukrainian battlefield is an ideal test environment for new weapons. Recently, it has been reported that Russia has deployed the T-14 Armata main battle tank on the front lines. Even the Object 292, an experimental tank, is said to have been tested. This is an extremely unexpected development and needs more evidence, but if the Russian Army is determined to build a tank with a 152 mm main gun to overwhelm Western tanks in the field, it is understandable.
As for the Object 292 – this is a prototype built on the chassis of the T-80U and with its turret. The main weapon is a 152mm smoothbore gun. Anti-tank capacity was improved in such a way that the tank could potentially engage and destroy any Western tank of the time at battle distance with a single shot.
Like most Russian tanks of its time, the gun offered poor depression and slow reload despite the presence of an autoloader. The traverse rates of the barrel and turret were also lower than the regular T-80, thanks to the heavier gun. Despite being less versatile in battle, the firepower was superior to the T-80 and other similarly-armed Russian MBTs.
In September 1990 the tank was completed and in 1991 underwent trials. The trials showed high stability and reliability of the gun and the tank itself. However, the absence of funding discontinued further work on the tank’s improvement. The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the difficulties of Russia later prevented the project from being funded for completion. However, now the Object 292 is facing a great opportunity of “revival”, especially when the West has released a tank with a 130 mm main gun, which is superior to the standard 125 mm on current Russian tanks.
