The craft named "Object 279" was an experimental Soviet heavy tank developed at the end of 1959. This heavy tank was intended to fight off-road, in areas inaccessible to conventional tanks, acting as a breakthrough heavy tank, and if necessary having to withstand the shock wave of a nuclear explosion. It was designed to become the Soviet Supreme Command Strategic Reserve tank. The tank was developed at the Kirov industrial plant in Leningrad, by a group led by engineer L. Troyanov. Work on the tank began in 1957, which was based on one of the operational requirements of heavy tanks developed in 1956, and a pre-production tank was completed at the end of 1959. This unique tank developed increased capacity in all. ground. It was fitted with a four-track undercarriage, mounted on two longitudinal rectangular hollow beams, which were also used as fuel tanks. The specific ground pressure of this heavy vehicle did not exceed 0.6 kg / cm2. It was designed to increase its capabilities in all terrain, including, over swampy terrain, soft soils, areas cluttered with cut and prone trees, anti-tank obstacles, etc. The tank was equipped with the 2DG -8M diesel engine with a power of 1000 hp, allowing the 60-ton armored vehicle to reach a speed of 55 km / h, with a range of 300 km in a single tank filling. It also had an automatic cooling system for fire fighting systems, smoke control equipment and heating in the combat compartment.