T80 in operation

T80 Battle Tank on display

T80 Battle Tank

T80 Battle Tank

The T80 is a battle tank of the Russian army and saw production start in the seventies, entering service in 1976.

Western analysts have been known in the past to confuse the T80 battle tank production history with the Soviet T-72. The two tanks are two different designs and military vehicles. Mechanically, they are very different. Their general appearance is similar but many of the other features are different. The design of the T80 Battle Tank was based on its predecessor T-64. The T-64 had a complementary design to its own predecessor, the T-72.

T80 Battle Tank Manufacture

The manufacturer of the T80 had improved the previous design of the T-64 by introducing some extra features, such as the gas turbine engine. The new tank was provided with increased engine power and it became one of the most mobile tanks in the world. The T80 is light and has a small profile meaning it is less of a target compared to NATO force tanks such as the US Abrams. Its increased maneuverability also allows rapid deployment around the battlefield and can cover huge distance in a quick time compared to other battle tanks. The current models of the T80 battle tank are powered by a conventional diesel engine after the heavy and extremely resource-hungry gas engine was replaced. There were some disadvantages when it comes to maneuvering inside the original versions of the tank. Its small size left the crew cramped when inside the tank.

Disadvantages

The tank is quite difficult to work in even if the soldiers are of small stature so modern versions are designed with a larger space for the crew. Previous versions of the tank store the necessary ammunition right below its crew and inside its compartment. The autoloader carousel is used in order to store the ammunition and this can expose the tank and its crew to higher risks because, when penetrated, this ammunition can be cooked off and kill the whole crew. The turret will be destroyed and the crew will face certain causalities. It is also difficult for the crew to find the right firing positions due to the lowest gun elevation that is allowed by the T80. Another disadvantage is its mechanical complexity.

Advantageous Features

The current versions of this tank retain all the positive features of the older Russian tanks. For instance, the low silhouette will be met in its case and its suspension will consist of 6 forged and steel-aluminum road wheels. These wheels are also rubber-tired. One can also find an idler right at the front of the T80 and a drive sprocket right at its rear. 5 return and road wheels are included in its design too. The T80 battle tank is provided with the distinct oblong and exhaust outlet right in its hull rear. Its driver's hatch was designed and centered right at the top of the sharply and sloped upper glacis. All the integrated fuel cells are likely to provide the tank with a very streamlined appearance for its fenders and the stowage containers contribute to this appearance as well. The T80 has the toothed dozer blade right on the front of its hull and right between its glacis.

Engine / Propulsion

The Russian Tank is powered by the GTD-1000 gas-turbine engine that can develop 1100 hp that can be coupled to the special and manual transmission consisting of 5 forward and 1 reverse gear. The 1100 hp tank is the first Soviet tank powered by the gas-turhorns. This tank has been in constant production since the 1970's and it is manufactured by the KBTM of Omsk. This company manufactures the tank for its general use in the infantry and special tank units. The XKBM, Kharkov, Ukraine is another department that manufactures the T80 in order to meet the orders coming from Pakistan. South Korea has also announced its intention to buy some of these Russian tanks back in 2002.

T80 Armament / Weaponry

The T80 armament / weaponry consists of the 9M119 Refeks anti tank missile. This anti-tank and guided missile system can be fired through the main gun. The system was designed in order to engage all the tanks that are provided with Explosive Reactive Armor as well as low-flying targets. Helicopters that fly at a range of almost 5km can be engaged. The missile system can fire either 9M119M or 9M119missiles. These missiles were designed in order to have semi-automatic and laser beam riding guidance.

The primary armament is the 125mm 2A46M-1 automatic smoothbore gun that has a thermal sleeve. This gun can fire between 7 or 8 rounds per minute and its loading is hydro-mechanical. This system comes with a 28 round and carousel container where 44-45 rounds can be carried. The gun was designed in order to fire differing projectiles. These projectiles have a sabot and a case made of semi-combustible cartridge. Ammunition can be Armor Piercing, High Explosive Anti-Tank, Armor Piercing Discarding Sabot or High Explosive-Fragmentation.

The armament includes the 7.62mm PKT and coaxial machine gun. Additionally the 12.7mm Utes (NSVT-12.7) can also be installed as an air defense gun.

The T80 is protected by explosive reactive armour that can be found right at its front. It is also protected by the gill type and armored panels that can be found elsewhere on its surface. Additional features of the tank include:

• Smoke-laying system
• Improved heat insulation of its hatches and roof
• Gas-turbine engine that exhausts smokeless gases and has a reduced running noise