Light tank T-80 - review of modifications

The forties and fifties of the last century was a real high point for turbine power plants. The turbine engine won an easy victory over the piston in the aircraft industry and tank builders also began to produce the first drawings of tanks with similar power plants. And this is not surprising: this engine has much higher performance compared with a traditional diesel or gasoline engine; having the same weight gas turbine engine is much more powerful, and this increases the speed of the tank and allows you to install more powerful weapons on it.

The Soviet Union is the first country in the world to establish a serial production of a tank, on which a gas turbine engine (GTE) stood. Although I must say that it took several decades. Drawings of tanks with gas turbine engines began to appear in the late 40s, and the T 80 battle tank was put into service in 1976. But the task was not easy. The first turbines were imperfect and poorly suited for use in the form of tank engines.

In Kharkov, in 1963, a modification of the T-64 tank was created, on which a gas turbine engine was installed, but this tank did not go into series. Despite all the advantages of the CCD, there were problems that could not be solved in the 60s. The main difficulty in using a gas turbine power plant was to clean the air from dust. If the turbine of an aircraft encounters this problem only during landing and take-off, then the tank engine works in completely different conditions and the tank column often goes in a solid cloud of dust. GTE also had a higher fuel consumption than traditional engines. In the 50-70s of the last century, numerous drawings of tanks with GTE were created, but most of them remained at the project stage.

In 1969, at the Kirov factory began the development of a new tank, which was installed gas turbine engine. The tank was developed on the basis of the T-64, but after the first tests it became clear that the drawings of the tank required significant changes. First of all, it related to the chassis of the car. It took seven years to work out all the changes and in 1976 the main tank T 80 was adopted. This tank was in service with the army of the USSR for more than 20 years, now it is the main battle tank of the Russian armed forces. This car went through many conflicts and wars, was involved during the CTO in Chechnya.

Battle tank T-80. Description

Like any other Soviet tank, the main T 80 tank had a classic layout, with a crew of three inside it. The mass of the car was 42 tons, the frontal parts of the tank were made of multilayer armor. This made it possible to increase the security of the tank without increasing the thickness of the armor and adding extra weight. The engine of the tank had a special system for cleaning air from dust, which made it possible to hold 97% of dust particles. The use of GPA allowed to significantly increase the technical characteristics of the new tank, seriously increased the speed and maneuverability of the machine. One of the positive features of cars with gas turbine engines is their “promiscuousness” with respect to fuel, for refueling the T-80 you can use gasoline, aviation kerosene, diesel and other fuels. Fuel consumption is relatively small. The internal structure of the tank and the conditions for the crew are well thought out - the driving of the tank is very easy and convenient.

The tank is armed with a 125-mm smooth-bore cannon (firing range up to 5 km), 40 rounds are included in the ammunition (the later versions have 38 and 45 rounds), both sub-caliber, and cumulative and high-explosive. Late modifications of the machine had the opportunity to shoot rockets "Cobra" and "Reflex" (firing range of 4 and 5 km). Also included in the weapons package is an anti-aircraft machine gun and a PCT (7.62 mm).

The Soviet main tank T 80 had the following modifications: T-80U, T-80B (T-80BV), T-80UD and T-80U-M1 Bars, although the latter is a completely Russian tank created in Russia after the collapse of the USSR. Below is a table describing all the main characteristics of the T-80 and its modifications.

Performance characteristics of the main modifications of the tank T-80

Modifications of the T-80U and T-80UD are the most advanced versions of this tank. T-80U was created in 1985, in Leningrad, and T-80UD - in 1987 in Kharkov. And the T-80U-M1 Bars has already been created in Russia, after the collapse of the USSR. These machines received the most advanced fire control system, their protection was improved (by increasing the thickness of the armor and setting the dynamic protection). In this case, the weight of the machine was insignificant. T-80UD differs more powerful engine (diesel 1000 hp), a new turret with more advanced armor and an improved fire control system. Ammunition was increased.

All modifications of the T-80 tank use an automatic engine management system, which significantly reduces fuel consumption. The crew review has been improved.

T-80U-M1 "Leopard"

I would like to tell you about the latest modification of this very interesting machine - about the famous Russian “flying” tank T-80U-M1 “Bars”, which was created in the early 90s in Russia.

The creators of the Russian "Leopard" set out to improve the protection of the tank, increase its maneuverability and provide it with a lighter and more sophisticated weapon system. Also, the sighting systems and crew review were significantly improved. The tank weighs 47 tons. The layout scheme is classic. The tank can fire guided missiles, firing range up to 5 km. Ammunition consists of different types of shells.

In Russian, "Bars" installed all the same reliable and proven 125-mm cannon 2A46M (firing range up to 5 km), ammunition - 45 shots. The rigidity of the barrel was increased and this improved the accuracy of shooting. The fire control system that is installed on the tank takes into account many characteristics: the distance to the target, its speed, the speed of the tank itself, the force of the wind, the temperature of the charge. All this greatly improves the accuracy of shooting and allows you to send a projectile exactly on target. The control system allows you to shoot and tank commander. T-80U-M1 gives an excellent overview for all crew members. On the tank, you can install a night sight or thermal imager. Increased thickness of armor, with a slight increase in the mass of the tank.

Protection of the tank is also consistent with the best world analogues. It consists of:

• combined multi-layered armor of the upper front of the hull and tower;
• built-in dynamic protection (VDZ);
• active protection complex "Arena";
• KOEP "Shtora-1".

Installing an active protection complex several times increases the survivability of the tank, even without increasing the thickness of the armor and maintaining the weight of the tank. Especially when participating in local conflicts, when the main means of destruction are hand grenade launchers. The experience of using Barça during the CTO in Chechnya confirmed this. We can safely say that the T-80U-M1 is one of the most protected tanks in modern Russia. Built-in protection provides better protection from projectiles.

An engine with a maximum power of 1250 hp is installed on this tank. Its power density is 27.2 hp / t, which is a record. No wonder the "Leopard" is called "flying tank", it is characterized by excellent speed and maneuverability. Below is a description of the T-80U-M1 tank. The engine management system can significantly reduce fuel consumption.

The T-80U-M1 automatic loader includes 28 rounds of ammunition and this ensures a fast rate of fire.
Below is a table describing the parameters of the tank.

At the same time, the Russian "Bars" is easy to operate, the unit of the fighting compartment is extremely thought out and convenient. For this tank, Russian specialists have developed a unique air conditioning system that makes driving a car easy and convenient. It can be stated that the Russian T-80U-M1 tank is the best of all modifications of this vehicle.

Video about the T-80 tank

T-80U-M1 "Leopard"

Tank T-80 is in service with Russia and a dozen more countries. The tank took part in many wars and conflicts, including in Chechnya and the Caucasus. How many more years this tank will be in service in Russia, no one can say.

Watch the video: World of Tanks T-80 (May 2024).