October 17, 2015 – The award-winning Czech independent games developer Bohemia Interactive, known for the popular Arma series and DayZ, has recently acquired a decommissioned T-72 Main Battle Tank. The tank has been stationed at the one of the studio’s offices.
Ever since its debut with Arma: Cold War Assault (originally released as Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis*), Bohemia Interactive has aspired to create the ultimate military game. The latest installment in the series, Arma 3, released in September 2013, still enjoys full development support in the form of free platform updates and premium DLC. A major expansion coming in 2016, will feature the Tanoa terrain revealed at E3 this year.
Given the strong passion for all things military, the tank’s arrival felt like a fantasy come to life for many of Bohemia Interactive’s employees, who welcomed the studio’s armored love child with open arms. Naturally, excitement levels went through the roof when they were given the opportunity to go for a ride in the tank.
While the tank’s practical purpose might be best described as decoration, inspiration for developers, plus a promotional device for special events, it also serves as a reminder of the studio’s roots and represents Bohemia Interactive’s long-term commitment to creating the best (military) games available. A massive tanks goes out to everyone who has supported the studio and its games throughout the past 16 years. Your enthusiasm and support have been astonishing.
Ultimately, tanks are simply amazing to bestow. Thus, for everyone who feels the same way, Bohemia Interactive has prepared a glorious HD video of the Bohemia Tank in action. Enjoy!
BOHEMIA TANK FUN FACTS
- The tank was originally used by the Czechoslovak People’s Army and its successors.
- The tank driving controls have been disabled.
- The tank’s cannon has been disabled and can only be rotated manually (this would normally be machine-operated).
- The tank needs to be driven at least once a year to keep it operational.
- The tank can only be transported over public roads during the night and this requires a special permit (in the Czech Republic).
- You need a special license to drive the tank.
- The tank has been nicknamed “Edita”.
T-72 MAIN BATTLE TANK HISTORY & SPECIFICATIONS
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| In service | 1973–present |
| Designed | 1967–1973 |
| Produced | 1973–present |
| Number built | 25,000+ |
| Weight | 41.5 tonnes (45.7 short tons) |
| Length | 9.53 m (31 ft 3 in) gun forward, 6.95 m (22 ft 10 in) hull |
| Width | 3.59 m (11 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 2.23 m (7 ft 4 in) |
| Crew | 3 (A commander, driver, gunner) |
| Armor | Steel and composite armour |
| Main armament | 125 mm 2A46M/2A46M-5 smoothbore gun |
| Secondary armament | 12.7 mm NSVT antiaircraft machine gun |
| Engine | V-12 780 hp (582 kw) |
| Fuel | Diesel, petrol, kerosene (it is possible to set the fuel type) |
| Power/weight | 18.8 hp/t |
| Transmission | Synchromesh, hydraulically assisted, with 7 forward and 1 reverse gears |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
| Ground clearance | 0.49 m (19 in) |
| Fuel capacity | 1,200 L (320 U.S. gal; 260 imp gal) |
| Operational range | 460 km (290 mi), 700 km (430 mi) with fuel drums |
| Speed | 50 km/h (road), 30 km/h (terrain) |
| Polygons | Billions |
