Report: Russia's new tank will finish key tests in '16

Russia's T-14 Armata tank, which debuted to much fanfare (and some possible engine trouble) during the nation's Victory Day Parade in May, will complete its manufacturer's trials next year, a high-ranking Russian official told the TASS news agency last week.

While Col.-Gen. Oleg Salyukov, head of nation's ground forces, told TASS that "a decision on operational trials and entry into service" will come after the tests, plans are in place for 2,300 tanks to be rolled out by 2020 as part of a $400 billion military modernization plan.

The T-14 boasts a 125mm main gun but could accommodate a 152mm version, TASS reported. It weighs 50 tons, according to a U.S. Army report, but rides on a chassis that can support 65 tons, leaving room for modifications and serving as a base for what could be a line of motorized vehicles — a move that could simplify repairs and lower costs.

Designers have compared the tank's controls to "playing a video game" and said future versions could be entirely autonomous.

Production of the tanks is set to begin in 2017 or 2018, TASS reported.

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