T-80 tanks are the main combat vehicles produced in series in the USSR, starting in 1978. Operation was carried out until 1998. This combat unit was the first of its kind equipped with a dynamic system of protection against shells, as well as a power plant based on a gas turbine.
T-80 light tanks were also produced between 1942 and 1943. Only 70 samples were produced. Subsequently, its “stamping” at the plant was replaced by the production of SU-76M artillery systems. T-80 light tanks were no longer produced.
History of creation
The history of the tank dates back to 1964, when at a meeting of the CPSU Central Committee, it was decided to develop a new combat vehicle, taking the T-64 as a basis. The innovative tank was conceived as a carrier of a gas turbine engine, which would contribute to a range of 450 kilometers with 1000 horsepower and a warranty period of 500 hours.
The reason for making this decision is due to the obsolescence of the T-64. Management relied on gas turbine engines as a means of improving the operational characteristics of a combat unit. A feature of this mechanism was the absence of the need for warming up before starting work, which significantly reduced the time for bringing the tank’s calculation to combat readiness. Especially in harsh winters.
First test
From about 1968 to 1974, experimental T-80 tanks (then still bearing modest experimental names like "Object-219") passed a series of tests. Some showed unsatisfactory results in the operation of a new type of engine, some completely failed.
After a series of improvements, the equipment was tested again, either under conditions of high dustiness, or during maneuvers on snow-covered virgin lands.
T-80 tanks with a diesel engine were marked by high maneuverability when interacting with infantry fighting vehicles. The machine easily advanced to the front positions in order to attack the enemy, developing a speed of 20 to 30 km / h.
In different types of terrain, these tanks showed average speeds from 20 to 40 km / h, while oil consumption tended to zero, and fuel consumption ranged from 435 to 840 liters.
Tank T-80. Features and upgrades
In 1976, the "Object-219" was adopted by the T-80. So the first tanks with a gas turbine engine appeared. For comparison: the American tank "Abrams" was put on stream only in 1980.
The T-80 tank (photo below) had a body made of welded armor plates, in many respects similar in design to their predecessors - T-72 and T-64A.
The tower is completely cast from armored steel, has a complex configuration and is equipped with a range finder. The caliber of the gun is 125 mm, the gun is equipped with a casing at the base of the barrel, the loading mechanism and the system for sending the projectile are in many ways similar to the T-64A. Also on the tower were the anti-aircraft gun "Utes" and the infantry PKT.
Armor type: rolled steel and cast, as well as combined. The weight of the T-80 was 42 tons. The length (including the gun) is about 9656 mm, the hull is 6780 mm, the width is 3525 mm, the height (from the lowest point to the top of the tower) is 3525 mm.
T-80BV and other upgrades
Technological progress did not stand still. In 1978, an improved version appeared - the T-80B. It was distinguished by the presence of a controlled weapons complex "Cobra", a tactical system of launching smoke bombs "Cloud" and enhanced armoring of both the hull and turret.
In parallel, the T-80BK model was developed at the Omsk plant.
In 1985, the T-80BV model entered service. It differs from its predecessor by the presence of dynamic protection on the tower and hull.
The latest and most successful modification was the T-80U model, developed in the same 1985. Design principles came from previous models of the "eighties." Mass increased to 46 tons.
The firing control system received a number of improvements, such as the night and day gunner’s aiming complex and the commander’s aiming mechanism.
Innovations made it possible to fight not only against armored targets, but also against low-flying helicopters thanks to the Reflex integrated missile guidance system. The fired projectile is guided by a laser beam at a distance of 100 to 5000 meters.
TTX new
T-80 tanks were rightly considered one of the most advanced achievements of domestic design thought. For comparison, we should consider their performance characteristics.
The T-80BV had a mass of 43.7 tons, while the T-80U was heavier and weighed as many as 46.
The length of the first along with the gun was 9651 mm, when the advanced model was shorter - 9556 mm.
As for the case itself, the opposite is true. The T-80B has a length of 6982 mm, a width of 3582 mm, and the T-80U had the characteristics of 7012 mm and 3603 mm, respectively.
The difference in height is almost invisible to the naked eye. The numbers indicate the difference only in the documentation - 2219 versus 2215 mm.
Cessation of production
The T-80 tank (photo below) had a number of modifications intended for export to different countries of the world. Those are countless. For example, the model of the “eighties” on a diesel engine, manufactured in Kharkov under the marking T-80UD, formed the basis of the military equipment of Ukraine: “Oplot”, BM “Oplot” and T-84.
The production of the Eighties was discontinued in 1998. The reasons, unfortunately, are unknown. Nevertheless, the combat vehicle is still in service with the army of the Russian Federation.
Armata
On May 5, 2016, a new generation T-14 tank on the Armata platform was presented to the general public at the parade on Red Square.
It was developed as part of the “Combat Systems of the Future” project, as well as for participation in the “network-centric war”. This term refers to the military doctrine, proclaimed by the NATO countries, which is the coordination of the offensive or defensive forces, united in a single information network.
The T-14 became the first stealth tank in Russia. The body of the machine is constructed of a special material that makes it difficult to recognize the technology with the main known radar waves and significantly reduces the distance required to capture the target with missile guidance systems such as Javelin or Brimstone.
The peculiarity of the tank is that the crew is completely located in the hull. The tower remains uninhabited, which also contributes to the protection of members of the calculation in the conditions of hostilities.
The Armata complex is equipped with an Afghanit system, which allows intercepting shells. The built-in system for the formation of smoke-metal curtains allows you to "blind" radio-controlled drones and mines due to signal distortion by the said particles. This, in turn, does not harm the infantry and equipment accompanying the combat vehicle.
The T-14 is equipped with dynamic armor, the principle of which is based on firing an armor plate towards a flying projectile. It is believed that this method of booking is also able to reflect shots from an anti-tank grenade launcher.
Technological progress does not stand still, every day new types of weapons are developed in secret laboratories. It is known that Armata was put into continuous production until 2020. And they do not plan to interrupt the "stamping" of innovative technology even in times of crisis.
But what will be the novelty that can surpass the T-14, really futuristic walking tanks? Time will tell.