Country of origin |
Soviet Union |
Entered service |
1987 |
Crew |
3 men |
Dimensions and weight |
Weight |
46 t |
Length (gun forward) |
9.69 m |
Hull length |
7.09
m |
Width |
3.76 m |
Height |
2.29 m |
Armament |
Main gun |
125 mm smoothbore |
ATGW |
9K119 (AT-11 Sniper) |
Machine guns |
1 x 7.62 mm, 1 x 12.7 mm |
Elevation range |
? |
Traverse range |
360 degrees |
Ammunition load |
Main gun |
45 rounds |
ATGW |
? |
Machine guns |
1 250 x 7.62 mm, 450 x 12.7 mm |
Mobility |
Engine |
6TD diesel engine |
Engine power |
1 000 hp |
Maximum road speed |
60 km/h |
Range |
560 km |
Maneuverability |
Gradient |
60% |
Side slope |
40% |
Vertical step |
1 m |
Trench |
2.85 m |
Fording |
1.8 m |
Fording (with preparation) |
5 m |
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The T-80UD
is a variant of a
T-80U
main battle tank, fitted with a diesel engine in place of the high
performance gas
turbine. The original T-80 tank with a gas turbine was produced since
1976. Its gas turbine was essentially a modified helicopter
powerplant. It had a number of advantages such as compact dimensions
and high power output and the ability to start when the temperature
is as low as -40°C. However the gas turbine engine had a number of
drawbacks as well including high fuel consumption, expensive
production and troublesome maintenance. In the mid 1970s Soviets
began development of a T-80U variant, fitted with a more
conventional diesel engine. The resulting T-80UD was
introduced in 1985 and entered service with the Soviet Army in 1987.
The T-80UD is similar to the T-80U except the powerplant. Production of the T-80UD commenced in Ukraine
in 1987. Around 500-800 of these MBTs were built. It was planned to
become the
main MBT of the Soviet Army, however with the collapse of the
Soviet Union its production ceased
in 1991. These tanks are
currently in service with Russia and Ukraine. A
number of Ukrainian T-80UDs were exported to Pakistan in the late
1990s. Due to expensive maintenance Russian Army planned to retire all
T-80
series tanks by 2015.
Armor
protection of the T-80UD includes composite armor with built-in explosive
reactive armor blocks. Vehicle is fitted with an NBC protection
and automatic fire suppression systems.
The T-80UD
is armed with a fully-stabilized 125 mm smoothbore gun, fitted with
a carousel-type autoloader. It also fires 9M119 Refleks (AT-11
Sniper) laser-guided anti-tank missiles in the same manner as
ordinary projectiles. Missiles have a maximum range of 5 km and can
also aim low-flying helicopters. A total of 45 rounds
are carried, including APFSDS, HEAT and HE-FRAG. 28 rounds are
stored in the autoloader. Remaining ammunition is stored inside the
hukk. Effective range of
fire with APFSDS round is 2 000-3 000 m day and 2 000-2 600 at
night. Armor penetration is about 590-630 mm at 2 000 m range.
Secondary
armament consists of coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and remotely
controlled 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
The T-80UD
is fitted with a modern fire control system and has high first round
hit probability.
Vehicle is
powered by the 6TD diesel engine, developing 1 000 hp. Diesel engine
of the T-80UD is 8-10 times cheaper to produce and consumes
20-40% less fuel comparing with the gas turbine of
the T-80U. Though the T-80UD is slower than the T-80U.
The tank
is fitted with self-entrenching blade and deep wading kit.
Variants
T-80UDK command tank.
T-84 main
battle tank. It is a further development of the T-80UD. In the mid
1990s a contract was signed to supply 320 T-80UD tanks to Pakistan.
After collapse of the Soviet Union fulfilling the contract was
difficult due to disturbed nature of Soviet military industry. A
number of T-80UD parts were produced in Russia and their acquisition
was troublesome. Also Russia interferred politically and at the same
time competed on international market with their new
T-90 MBT.
This forced to develop local capabilities in Ukraine, resulting in
the T-84. The T-80UD tanks supplied
to Pakistan had many features of the T-84, including new turrets. In
most respects the T-84 is similar to the Russian T-90.
Atlet armored recovery vehicle, fitted with a crane, winch, and
a front-mounted dozer blade. It is also based on the T-80UD.
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