T-80 tanks: characteristics, modifications, weapons, photo

Tanks T-80 - the main military vehicles, produced serially in the USSR, since 1978. The operation was carried out until 1998. This combat unit was the first of its kind equipped with a system of dynamic protection against shells, as well as a power plant based on a gas turbine.

Light T-80 tanks were also produced in the period from 1942 to 1943. Only 70 samples were issued. Subsequently, at the plant, his "punching" was replaced by the production of artillery systems SU-76M. Light tanks T-80 were no longer produced.

History of creation

The history of the tank dates back to 1964, when it was decided at the CPSU Central Committee meeting to develop a new combat vehicle, taking as a basis the T-64. The innovative tank was conceived as a carrier of a gas turbine engine that would contribute to a 450 km run with 1000 horsepower and a warranty period of 500 hours.

The reason for such a decision is due to the obsolescence of the T-64. The management focused on gas turbine engines as a means of improving the operational characteristics of the combat unit. A feature of this mechanism was the lack of the need for warm-up before starting work, which significantly shortened the time to bring the tank's calculation into combat readiness. Especially in a harsh winter.

The first tests

Approximately from 1968 to 1974, the experimental T-80 tanks (then still wearing modest experimental names such as "Object-219") underwent a series of tests. Some showed unsatisfactory results in the work of a new type of engine, some were completely out of order.

After a number of modifications, the testing of the technique was again carried out - in conditions of high dustiness, then during maneuvers on snow covered with virgin soil.

Tanks of the T-80 with a diesel engine were marked by high maneuverability in the interaction with infantry fighting vehicles. The car easily moved 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 the oil consumption tended to zero, and fuel costs ranged from 435 to 840 liters.

Tank T-80. Characteristics and modernization

In 1976, the "Object-219" was adopted for service under the T-80 marking. So there were the first tanks with a gas turbine engine. 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 armored plates, much like that of the 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 cannon is equipped with a casing at the base of the trunk, the charging mechanism and the system of sending the projectile are in many respects similar to the T-64A. Also on the tower were the anti-aircraft machine gun "Utes" and the infantry PKT.

Type of armor: steel rolled and cast, as well as combined. The weight of the T-80 tank was 42 tons. The length (along with the gun) is approximately 9,656 mm, the body 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

Technical progress did not stand still. In 1978 there appeared an improved version - T-80B. It was distinguished by the presence of a controlled weapon complex "Cobra", a tactical system for launching smoke bombs "Cloud" and enhanced armor both of the shell and the tower.

In parallel, the T-80BK model was developed at the Omsk plant.

In 1985, the model T-80BV comes into service. It differs from the predecessor by the presence on the tower and the body of dynamic protection.

The last and most successful modification was the model T-80U, developed in the same 1985-m. The principles of design came from previous models of the "eighty". The weight increased to 46 tons.

The fire management system has received a number of improvements, such as a night and daytime aiming system for the gunner and commander's computer-sighting mechanism.

Innovations made it possible to fight not only with armored targets, but also with low-flying helicopters due to the complex control system for the guided missiles "Reflex". The projectile to be shot is pointed at the pointer by a laser beam at a distance of 100 to 5000 meters.

ТТХ of novelties

The T-80 tanks were rightly considered to be one of the most advanced achievements of Russian design ideas. For comparison, their tactical and technical characteristics should be considered.

The T-80BV had a mass of 43.7 tons, while the T-80B was heavier and weighed as much as 46.

The length of the first with the gun was 9651 mm, when the improved model was shorter - 9556 mm.

As for the case itself, here on the contrary. 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 figures indicate a difference in the documentation only - 2219 against 2215 mm.

Discontinuation of production

The T-80 tank (photo below) had a number of modifications intended for export to different countries of the world. There are countless such. For example, the model of the "eighty" on a diesel engine produced in Kharkov under the T-80UD marking, was the basis of the military equipment of Ukraine: "Oplot", BM "Oplot" and T-84.

Production of the "eighty" 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 within the framework of the project "Combat Systems of the Future", as well as for participation in the "network centric war". This term means a military doctrine proclaimed by the NATO countries, which is the coordination of the actions of offensive or defensive forces, united in a single information network.

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 technique by the main known radar waves and significantly reduces the distance necessary for the target capture by the Javelin or Brimstone missile guidance systems.

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 the members of the calculation in the conditions of combat operations.

Complex "Armata" is equipped with the "Afghanistan" system, which allows to intercept shells. The built-in system for the formation of smoke-metal curtains makes it possible to "blind" radio-controlled drones and mines due to distortion of the signal by the mentioned particles. This, in turn, does not harm the infantry and equipment accompanying the combat vehicle.

The T-14 is equipped with a dynamic armor, the principle of which is based on the firing of an armored plate against a flying projectile. It is believed that this method of booking is also capable of reflecting shots from an anti-tank grenade launcher.

Technical progress does not stand still, new types of weapons are being developed every day in secret laboratories. It is known that Armata has been put on stream production until 2020. And they do not plan to interrupt the "punching" of innovative equipment even in the conditions of the crisis.

But what will be the novelty, capable of surpassing the T-14, really futuristic walking tanks? Time will tell.