Combat vehicle t 80 technical characteristics. The T-80 turned out to be a complete disaster. Victories in the virtual space
T-80 tanks are the main combat vehicles that were mass-produced back in the USSR, starting in 1978. Operation was carried out until 1998. This combat unit was the first of its kind to be equipped with a dynamic projectile protection system, as well as a power plant based on a gas turbine.
Light tanks T-80 were also produced in the period from 1942 to 1943. Only 70 samples were released. Subsequently, at the plant, its “stamping” was replaced by the production of SU-76M artillery systems. Light tanks T-80 were no longer produced.
History of creation
The history of the tank dates back to 1964, when at a meeting of the Central Committee of the CPSU it was decided to develop a new combat vehicle based on the T-64. The innovative tank was conceived as a carrier of a gas turbine engine, which would contribute to a cruising range of 450 kilometers at 1000 horsepower and a warranty period of 500 hours.
The reason for making such a decision is due to the obsolescence of the T-64. The management relied on as a means of improving the operational characteristics of a combat unit. A feature of this mechanism was the absence of the need for warm-up before starting work, which significantly reduced the time for bringing the tank crew to combat readiness. Especially in harsh winter conditions.
First tests
Around 1968 to 1974 experienced tanks The T-80 (then still bearing modest experimental names such as "Object-219") underwent a series of tests. Some showed unsatisfactory results in the operation of a new type of engine, some completely failed.
After a number of improvements, the equipment was again tested - either in conditions of high dustiness, or during maneuvers on virgin snow.
T-80 tanks with a diesel engine were noted for their high maneuverability when interacting with the tank. The vehicle was easily moved to the front positions in order to attack the enemy, developing a speed of 20 to 30 km/h.
On different types of terrain, these tanks showed average speeds from 20 to 40 km / h, while 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 put into service under the designation T-80. This is how 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 hull made of welded armor plates, in many respects similar in design to its predecessors - the T-72 and T-64A.
The turret is completely cast from armored steel, has a complex configuration and is equipped with a rangefinder. The caliber of the gun is 125 mm, the gun is equipped with a casing at the base of the barrel, the charging mechanism and the projectile chambering system are in many ways similar to the T-64A. Also located on the tower anti-aircraft machine gun "Cliff" and infantry PKT.
Steel rolled and cast, as well as combined. The weight of the T-80 tank was 42 tons. Length (with gun) - approximately 9656 mm, hull - 6780 mm, width - 3525 mm, height (from the lowest point to the top of the tower) - 3525 mm.
T-80BV and other upgrades
Technological progress did not stand still. In 1978, an improved version appeared - T-80B. It was notable for the presence of the Cobra guided weapon system, the Tucha tactical smoke grenade launcher, and reinforced armor for both the hull and the turret.
At the same time, the T-80BK model was being 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 turret and hull.
The latest and most successful modification was the T-80U model, developed in the same 1985. Design principles inherited from the previous models of the "eighty". Weight increased to 46 tons.
The fire control system received a number of improvements, such as the gunner's night and day aiming system and the commander's computer-aiming mechanism.
Innovations made it possible to fight not only with armored targets, but also with low-flying helicopters thanks to the integrated Reflex missile guidance control system. The fired projectile is guided by a laser beam pointer at a distance of 100 to 5000 meters.
TTX of new products
T-80 tanks were rightfully considered one of the most advanced achievements of domestic design thought. For comparison, their performance characteristics should be considered.
The T-80BV weighed 43.7 tons, while the T-80U was heavier and weighed as much as 46.
The length of the first, together with the gun, was 9651 mm, while the improved model was shorter - 9556 mm.
As for the body itself, it's the other way around. 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 imperceptible to the naked eye. The numbers indicate the difference only in the documentation - 2219 versus 2215 mm.
Termination 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 "eighties" on a diesel engine, produced in Kharkov under the marking T-80UD, formed the basis of Ukrainian military equipment: "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, at the parade on Red Square, the new generation T-14 tank on the Armata platform was presented to the general public.
It was developed as part of the Combat Systems of the Future project, as well as to participate in the "network-centric war". This term refers to the 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.
The T-14 was the first stealth tank in Russia. The body of the vehicle is constructed from a special material that makes it difficult to recognize vehicles by the main known radar waves and significantly reduces the distance required for target acquisition by 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 crew members in combat conditions.
The Armata complex is equipped with the Afganit system, which makes it possible to intercept shells. The built-in system for the formation of smoke-metal curtains allows you to "dazzle" radio-controlled drones and mines due to signal distortion by the mentioned 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 armor plates towards a flying projectile. It is believed that this method of booking is also capable of reflecting shots from an anti-tank grenade launcher.
Technological progress does not stand still, every day new types of weapons are being developed in secret laboratories. It is known that "Armata" is put into mass production until 2020. And they do not plan to interrupt the "stamping" of innovative technology even in a crisis.
But what will be the novelty that can surpass the T-14, is it really futuristic walking tanks? Time will tell.
The T-80 tank is a prime example how heavily armored vehicles can hide serious flaws. At one time, the Russian military command considered the T-80 a high-class vehicle, but these tanks suffered heavy losses in battles with militants equipped with light weapons during the first Chechen war. After that, he never managed to restore his reputation.
That shouldn't have happened. The T-80 tank was the last main battle tank designed in the Soviet Union. It was the first soviet tank, equipped with a gas turbine engine, and as a result, he got the opportunity to travel on roads with maximum speed 70 kilometers per hour, and also possessed a large power density per unit weight, which was 25.8 horsepower per ton.
Thanks to this, the standard T-80B tank became one of the fastest and most maneuverable tanks produced in the 1980s.
The fighting prowess of the Chechen rebels and the failed Russian tactics are more responsible for the loss of T-80 tanks than their design. However, he had significant shortcomings. Ultimately, the T-80 was too expensive, and besides, it consumed too much fuel. After some time, the Russian military made a choice in favor of the more economical T-72 tank.
The T-80 was a further development of its predecessor, the T-64 tank. As the most modern model of the late 1960s and early 1970s, the T-64 differed from the simpler vehicles favored by the Soviets, such as the T-54/55 and T-62.
Context
Russia adopts the T-90M tank
The National Interest 02/04/2018 The National Interest 11/24/2017Which tank is better: Chinese "Type 99", M1 "Abrams" or T-90
The National Interest 01/25/2018 For example, the T-64 was the first Soviet tank to have an automatic loader instead of a loader, and as a result, the crew was reduced from four to three people. The second innovation of the T-64, which created a certain trend, was the use of composite armor, in which layers of ceramics and steel were used, and as a result, the protection of the tank was increased in comparison with the use of steel sheets alone.In addition, the T-64 was equipped with light steel road wheels of small diameter, while the T-55 and T-62 used large rubber-coated rollers.
The first T-64A model launched into mass production was produced with a 125-mm 2A46 "Rapier" cannon, which became so popular that it began to be installed on all subsequent Russian tanks - up to the T-90. It is noteworthy that in the end the weight of the T-64A was only 37 tons, which is quite small for a tank of this size.
But as remarkable as these innovations were, it must be admitted that the T-64 had a capricious 5TDF engine and an unusual suspension, which often broke down. For this reason, the Soviet Army specifically sent such tanks to those units that were stationed near the Kharkov plant where they were manufactured.
But that's not all. There were rumors that the new automatic loading system would tear off the hands of gaping tankers who were located too close to it. This is quite likely, given the tiny interior of the T-64 tank.
Solving the problems of the T-64A, the Soviets began to think about creating a new tank with an engine equipped with a gas turbine. Gas turbine engines have a high throttle response and a good power/weight ratio. They start easily in cold weather without preheating, which is important in harsh Russian winters. And besides, they are lightweight.
On the downside, gas turbine engines consume a lot of fuel and are more susceptible to dirt and dust, which is the result of increased air intake compared to conventional diesel engines.
The original basic model of the T-80 tank was put into service only in 1976, much later than planned. The Soviet tank industry was busy fixing the shortcomings of the T-64 tanks, and preparing for the production of the T-72 because it was a cheaper fallback. At the same time, the Soviets were ramping up production of the T-55 and T-62 tanks for their Arab allies, who had lost hundreds of armored vehicles in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
The first T-80 models also had their problems. In November 1975, Andrei Grechko, then Minister of Defense, banned the further production of these tanks due to too much fuel consumption and a slight increase in firepower compared to the T-64A. And only five months later, Grechko's successor Dmitry Ustinov allowed mass production of this new tank to begin.
The construction of the first T-80 model lasted only two years, since it was surpassed in its characteristics by the T-64B tank, which had new system fire control, which allowed firing from the main gun with 9M112 Cobra missiles. Even more important point was that the T-80 cost almost three and a half times more than the T-64A.
The base model was replaced in 1978 by the T-80B tank. It was considered the most modern and high-class tank in the East, and therefore most of T-80B was heading to the highest risk areas - to the Group Soviet troops in Germany.
For its high speed, it was nicknamed the "Channel tank". In the Soviet war games, it was assumed that the T-80B could reach the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in five days - provided they did not run out of fuel.
The new Soviet tank borrowed a lot from the T-64. In addition to sub-caliber, cumulative and anti-personnel fragmentation shells, its 125-mm 2A46M-1 smoothbore gun could launch the same 9K112 Cobra missiles.
Since anti-tank guided missiles were significantly more expensive than conventional tank shells, the ammunition of this tank included only four missiles, but 38 shells. The missiles were designed to shoot down attack helicopters and hit vehicles with ATGM systems installed on them outside the firing range. conventional projectiles tank T-80B.
A 7.62-mm PKT machine gun coaxial with a cannon and a 12.7-mm NSVT "Utes" machine gun on the commander's turret made up the anti-personnel armament of this tank.
The T-80 could already boast of modern composite armor, but even more armor protection was provided by the dynamic protection complex (KDZ) "Kontakt-1". Equipped with horizontal layers of such armor, the T-80 tanks (the latest T-72A models had a similar KDZ configuration) were called the T-80BV.
In 1987, the T-80U began to be produced instead of the T-80B, although they did not surpass their predecessors in total numbers.
The T-80U tank was equipped with the Kontakt-5 dynamic protection system. It was an improved version of the Kontakt-1 KDZ, which consisted of hinged containers with explosives, while the Kontakt-5 system had a set of factory-made outward-facing plates to deflect the attacking ammunition. The Kontakt-1 system is only effective against HEAT shells, while the Kontakt-5 system also protects against kinetic armor-piercing shells with detachable tray.
Inside the T-80U, instead of the 1A33 fire control system, which was equipped with the T-80B models, more modern system 1A45. Engineers replaced the Cobra missiles with laser-guided 9K119 Reflex missiles. This is a more reliable weapon, with a longer range and greater power of destruction. In the T-80 tank, seven 125-mm shells were placed more than in the T-80B.
However, the T-80U tank was not produced for long. His new GTD-1250 power plant still consumed too much fuel and was difficult to maintain. Instead, they began to produce the diesel model T-80UD. It was the last version of the Soviet-made T-80 tank. It was also the first model to be seen in action outside the range...if by "action" we mean the shelling of the Russian parliament from a tank gun in October 1993 during the constitutional crisis.
In December 1994, the war against the separatists began in Chechnya, where the T-80 was used for the first time ... and it became a disaster of epic proportions for him.
When rebels in Chechnya declared independence, Russian President Boris Yeltsin ordered troops to return the former Soviet republic to Russia by force. The created group included T-80B and T-80 BV. The crews were not prepared to fight on T-80 tanks. They did not know about his gluttony and sometimes completely burned the fuel supply at idle.
The offensive of the Russian armed forces on the Chechen capital city of Grozny was more like a bloody massacre for the attackers. Between December 31, 1994 until the evening next day about a thousand soldiers died, and 200 pieces of equipment were destroyed. The most modern Russian tanks T-80B and T-80BV as part of the Russian advancing group suffered terrible losses.
Although the T-80s are well protected from direct frontal hits, many of the tanks were destroyed in catastrophic explosions and their turrets were blown off after numerous shots from Chechen fighters from RPG-7V and RPG-18 grenade launchers.
It turned out that the automatic loader T-80 "Basket" had a fatal flaw in the design. In the automatic loading system, the finished projectiles were stored upright and were only partially protected by road wheels. A shot from an RPG directed above the road wheels into the side of the tank often caused detonation of the ammunition load and led to the collapse of the turret.
In this regard, the T-72A and T-72B were similarly punished, however, they had a slightly higher chance of surviving a side hit because their automatic loading system used a horizontal arrangement of ammunition that was below the rims of the road wheels.
The second significant drawback of the T-80, like that of previous Russian tanks, was associated with the minimum vertical elevation and depression angles of the gun. It was impossible to shoot from the tank at the rebels, who fired from the upper floors of buildings or from basements.
In fairness, it must be said that the cause of large losses was the poor training of the crews, lack of training and disastrous tactics. Russia was in such a hurry to start hostilities that T-80BV tanks entered Grozny without filling the containers of dynamic protection with explosives, which made this protection useless. It was even said that some soldiers sold explosives in order to earn extra money on top of their meager pay.
By that time, the Russian army had completely forgotten the hard lessons of fighting in urban conditions during the Second World War. During cold war only special forces units and the Berlin garrison were trained to conduct such battles. Without expecting significant resistance, Russian troops entered Grozny, while the soldiers were in infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. Their commanders got lost on the streets because they didn't have the right cards.
Since Russian soldiers were reluctant to get out of their vehicles and clear buildings room by room, their Chechen adversaries, who knew the shortcomings of Russian armored vehicles from their service in the Soviet Army, were able to turn tanks and armored vehicles into crematoria.
It is easy for the Russian command to shift the blame for the Chechen catastrophe on flaws in the design of the T-80, hiding miscalculations in operational planning and shortcomings in tactics. But in the end, it was the lack of money that caused the cheaper T-72 to replace the T-80, becoming the main vehicle for Russian exports and for military operations after the Chechen war.
When the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia lost the T-80UD factory in Kharkov, which became the property of Ukraine. The plant in Omsk, where the T-80U was made, turned out to be bankrupt, while the Leningrad LKZ no longer produced the earlier T-80BV model.
It no longer made sense for Russia to keep three types of tanks in service: T-72 (A and B), T-80 (BV, U and UD) and T-90 (modernized version of T-72BU). The financial costs and the problems of supplying spare parts were too great. All these models had one 125-millimeter 2A46M gun and missiles of the same characteristics, launched through the gun barrel. But they all had different engines, fire control systems and chassis.
To put it simply, these tanks had the same capabilities but very different parts instead of having the same parts and different capabilities. Since the T-80U was much more expensive than the T-72B, it was only logical that financially troubled Russia chose the T-72.
However, Moscow continued to experiment with the T-80. Specialists installed an active defense system on it, which used a millimeter-wave radar to track incoming missiles and apply countermeasures. As a result, in 1997, the T-80UM-1 "Bars" appeared. However, it was not put into production, probably due to budgetary constraints.
Russia did not use T-80s in the second Chechen war in 1999-2000, and did not use them during the brief conflict with Georgia in 2008 (as far as we know). So far, T-80 tanks have not participated in the war in Ukraine.
The materials of InoSMI contain only assessments of foreign media and do not reflect the position of the editors of InoSMI.
DESIGN OF THE T-80B TANK
The T-80B tank inherited the layout of its well-known predecessors, including the T-64, with a control compartment in the front of the hull. The driver's seat is located here, in front of which on the bottom there are steering control levers, pedals for supplying fuel, brakes and an adjustable nozzle apparatus (PCA), on the front sheet there is a control instrument panel, a GPK-59 gyro-semi-compass. Above the shield - three prism observation devices TPNO-160; the central device for driving at night is replaced by a night viewing device TVNE-4B, which is illuminated by an on-board headlight FG-125 with an IR filter.
To the left and right of the seat are fuel tanks and a tank rack, two more medium fuel tanks are located at rear wall branches; under the seat is a weapon stabilizer control unit. On the bottom - a rotating contact device of the tower. Next to it there is a spare hatch in case of an emergency exit.
A bilge pump is installed under the control panel - in case of flooding when overcoming water barriers. Four batteries are in a rack behind the left fuel tank.
On the starboard side of the compartment, the air intake device of the radiation and chemical reconnaissance device (PRKhR) and the TPU A-3 intercom device were reinforced. Suspension torsion bars run along the bottom of the hull, and control drive rods run along the sides.
The fighting compartment occupies the middle part of the tank. Its turret is equipped with a gun with a loading mechanism (MZ), which ensures the delivery and sending of shots, catches and places the extracted pallets.
The place of the commander is to the right of the gun, the gunner is to the left. In front of the commander's seat there is a TPU A-1 apparatus, a radio station, an MZ control panel, a hydrodynamic gun stopper, a weapon stabilizer linear acceleration sensor, a control panel with toggle switches for the engine stop mechanism, SAR, and fire-fighting equipment (PPO). Under the seat is an MZ electric control unit.
In the commander's turret, prism viewing observation devices were mounted - two TNPO-160 and a commander's device TKN-3V, switches for the headlight, side light and tower illuminator.
Combined day-night observation device TKN-3V is independently stabilized in the vertical plane; it has two daytime optical channels of single and 7x magnification and a passive-active night channel; the device is illuminated by an illuminator with an infrared filter OU-3GKU.
TNPO-160 are located to the left and right of TKN-3V.
Two more commander's prism observation devices TNPA-65 are installed in the turret hatch cover.
In the daytime, the gunner in the turret uses a 1G42 day tank sight-rangefinder, fixed to the left of the gun; its optical head is housed in an armored housing on the roof. The field of view of the device is stabilized in two planes, for which a two-degree gyroscope was used.
1G42 is part of the tank fire control system (FCS) and is designed to monitor the battlefield and fire. It consists of: a control panel, an optical unit, a stabilizing unit, a range unit, a time interval meter with a digital indicator, and an observation head. Observation and aiming are carried out through the visual channel of the device. The range to the target is measured by a quantum rangefinder sight, which operates in conjunction with the 2E26M weapon stabilizer and the 1V517 ballistic computer of the fire control system.
The gunner also has at his disposal a TPN3-49 night tank sight, an azimuth indicator, a gunner's console, a control panel for the 902B smoke grenade launch system, a TPU A-2 apparatus, gun cocking and descent mechanisms and a turret stopper.
Tank T-80 on the observation deck of the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineering and Signal Corps in St. Petersburg.
With the help of the night TPN3-49, the gunner has the ability to monitor the situation on the battlefield at night, detect and identify targets, conduct aimed fire from a cannon and a coaxial machine gun. This device is a passive-active electron-optical monocular periscope with gun-dependent stabilization of the field of view in the vertical plane. It provides work in active and passive modes, all-round observation during the rotation of the tower, aiming, measurement of target angles for target designation; works in conjunction with an infrared searchlight L-4A. However, when an object is detected in the dark, illuminated by the scattered light of the moon or stars, the device can operate in a passive mode, due to the amplification of illumination by its electron-optical amplifier. The sight is mounted on a bracket in the turret to the left of the rangefinder sight.
The layout of the T-80 tank.
Gunner's workplace in the T-80B tank:
1 - device 1G42; 2 - lifting mechanism of the gun; 3 - rotary mechanism of the tower; 4 - gunner's seat; 5 - azimuth indicator; 6 - gunner's console PO47-1C; 7 - control and indication unit GTN-11; 8 - hydropneumatic cleaning valve; 9 - left switchboard; 10 - apparatus TPU A-2; 11 - toggle switch for turning on the searchlight L-4A; 12 - remote control system 902B "Cloud"; 13 - emergency socket; 14 - night sight TPN-3.
A TNPA-65 prism observation device is also placed in the gunner's hatch cover.
The power compartment is in the stern of the tank. Here is the engine with service systems: fuel and lubrication; there are engine and transmission control drives, sensors and sprayers of the fire-fighting equipment system (PPO), sensors of instrumentation, and a pump unit for thermal smoke equipment (TDA). The engine itself is made in a single unit with a built-in bevel-helical reduction gear and is connected to two planetary onboard gearboxes.
The tank was equipped with a GTD-1000 gas turbine engine with a capacity of 1000 hp, made according to a three-shaft scheme with two independent turbochargers and a turbine. The adjustable nozzle apparatus of the turbine limits the frequency of its rotation. The launch of the gas turbine engine is automated, and the spin-up of the compressor rotors is carried out using two electric motors. Engine dimensions: length - 1495 mm, width - 1042 mm, height - 888 mm. Its weight with the gearbox is 1050 kg.
The workplace of the commander in the T-80B tank:
1 - communications shield; 2 - guidance device TKN-3; 3 - loading panel; 4 - calculator; 5 - visual index of the MOH; 6 - correction input device; 7 - remote duplication; 8 - mechanism for turning the conveyor; 9 - switchboard.
The tank used an automatic control system for the operation of the power plant (ACS) with temperature sensors located in front and behind the engine, a temperature controller (RT), limit switches under the brake pedals and a PCA associated with the RT and the fuel supply system. SAUR allowed not only to reduce fuel consumption with frequent use of the brake and the PCA pedal, for example, when driving over rough terrain, but also to significantly increase the turbine resource.
A combined braking system is also used with the simultaneous use of gas turbine engines and mechanical hydraulic brakes. The adjustable turbine nozzle allows you to change the direction of the gas flow; causing her blades to rotate reversibly. Thus, with the help of PCA, acceleration and deceleration of the engine is carried out. The braking of the tank when the brake pedal is pressed begins by means of a turbine, and then mechanical brakes are also included in the work.
The air cleaning system is also essential at high air consumption - up to 4 kg / s - and high speed his submission. GTE is very sensitive to the presence of dust in the incoming stream. Therefore, the engine has an air cleaner unit, two dust extraction fans, air filters for the turbine nozzle apparatus, two air ducts for ejection of cooling air and dust, as well as a system for blowing off compressor impellers from the interblade channels when operating in clogged and dusty conditions (deserts, sandstorms, Samum and etc.). The air cleaning system operates in two modes: when moving on land and with OPVT equipment under water.
A gas turbine engine with the same occupied volume as a diesel engine has a significantly greater power, is easier to maintain, and is less noisy. In addition, it has a smaller unmasking effect in the IR range, since the heat transfer of a diesel engine is several times higher. This, along with thermal insulation of the roof and exhaust louvers, ventilation of the power compartment, the use of side screens, and the absence of large heated surfaces of the radiators of the cooling system, ensures a low level of thermal radiation and contributes to the thermal masking of the tank.
Tank tower. In front of the open cover of the gunner's hatch, the 1G42 rangefinder sight is clearly visible, to the left of it is the TPN3-49 night sight. Under the driver's hatch there are TNPO-160 surveillance devices. Dynamic protection units are installed on the upper front sheet.
The engine starts at low temperatures without additional heating.
However, since the gas turbine engine has a high fuel consumption - 1.5–2 times, the internal tanks occupied a larger volume of the engine-transmission compartment (MTO) than, say, on a diesel T-64, so the car body is somewhat elongated.
The volume of fuel tanks: internal - 1100 l, five external - 700 l, two or three additional barrels - 400–600 l. The total volume is 2200–2400 liters.
The engine is multi-fuel and runs on diesel fuel, A-72 and A-76 gasoline, fuel mixtures TS-1 and TS-2.
In front of the roof of the compartment there are entrance blinds covered with metal nets on top. The back of them can be opened, although the entire roof is removable for routine maintenance or engine repairs.
To supply electricity and recharge the batteries when the engine is not running, as well as to scroll and start it, an electric unit with a generator with a power of 18 kW is located in the feed bunker of the machine.
The hull of the tank is welded from armor plates. Its bow is formed by inclined top and bottom sheets, welded not only to each other, but also to the front roof sheet, sides and bottom. Frontal parts - composite armor plates; their composition: rolled steel of medium hardness, steel of high hardness, fiberglass. In the "steel" equivalent, their thickness corresponds to 400 mm.
Mine trawl mounting brackets and self-digging equipment mounting brackets are welded to the bow sheets. On the top sheet there are tow hooks with latches, headlight brackets with their guards, tow cable laying brackets and fasteners, protective shields for the driver's viewing devices. Guide wheel brackets are welded at the junction of the front and side sheets. Most machines have a triangular water deflector at the front.
The lower frontal sheet with a thickness of 100 mm has a uniform structure.
Hull side sheets - vertical, rolled, 80 mm thick. Brackets and stops of balancers, supporting rollers, pins of hydraulic shock absorbers are welded to them from the outside. Protective shelves with external fuel tanks and boxes for spare parts are stretched along the sides.
The 1G42 rangefinder sight is part of the tank fire control system and is designed to monitor the battlefield and fire.
Above the guide wheels - folding mud flaps.
The stern part of the hull consists of upper and lower stern sheets welded together; their thickness is 80 mm. It has towing hooks, brackets for rear position lights and additional barrels of fuel, spare track mounts; a box of exhaust shutters with locks and a stopper is installed.
The roof of the hull is also made of welded armor plates, partly - above the power compartment - is removable.
The bottom of the tank is welded - from three trough-shaped sheets with longitudinal and transverse stampings to ensure rigidity and placement of torsion bars. It has maintenance hatches.
On the left side of the turret there is a block of smoke grenade launchers 902B of the Tucha smoke protection system, next to them is a radio antenna flange, a taillight is visible at the stern.
The thickness of the roof and bottom sheets is 30 mm.
To protect the undercarriage, four-section side screens made of reinforced rubber are hung.
Tower - shaped armor casting. Its combined frontal part has an equivalent thickness of 400–600 mm.
A roof with a protective head of a rangefinder sight is welded to the top of the turret. In front there is a cannon embrasure with a complex labyrinth of two pairs of protective cheeks and grooves, thus protecting the crew from penetration into the fragments, as well as from the effects of a blast wave. The coaxial machine gun embrasure is to the right of the gun. A bracket for the L-4A illuminator of the night sight was welded on right there.
On the sides to the left and to the right of the gun there are bolts for fastening the smoke grenade launch system.
The commander's cupola with a hatch is in the right half of the roof, the gunner's hatch is in the left. Near it is the installation flange of the TPN3-49 night sight, the shaft of the observation device.
In the stern of the turret, a rear headlight and side light, an antenna mounting flange, brackets for the removable OPVT equipment and its release levers, and a wind sensor attachment are installed.
A bottom sheet with holes for fastening bolts to the upper turret shoulder strap is welded to the bottom of the turret. Tower support - ball.
In tanks of the initial series, the tower was unified with the T-64A tank.
On the left of the turret there is an anti-aircraft remote installation with a cartridge box (the machine gun is removed), the gunner's hatch cover is folded back. In the center is a protective shield installed at the commander's hatch, behind it is a radio station antenna.
Tank caterpillar with rubber-metal hinge and lantern gear. Track width - 580 mm, number of tracks - 80. Track weight - 1767 kg.
Folding mudguards are located in front of the tank above the guide wheels.
In the chassis of the T-80B - six dual road wheels on board, with rubber tires and aluminum alloy wheels. The driving wheel - rear - is welded from two cast disks, two removable gear rims and a restrictive disk. The steering wheel - front - also consists of two cast discs with windows to eject mud and snow. The mass of the road wheels is 78 kg, the driving wheels are 188 kg, the guides are assembled with a crank - 230 kg, the supporting ones are 12 kg.
Suspension - individual, torsion bar, with misaligned torsion shafts. Hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers are installed on the 1st, 2nd and 6th nodes. Tension mechanisms - worm type. Track tracks - there are 80 of them on each - stamped, with a rubber-metal hinge; track width - 580 mm. The track tread has rubber pads to reduce stress on the undercarriage. If necessary - for driving on the highway in order to avoid its destruction - it is recommended to wear rubber asphalt "shoes" on the outer surface of the caterpillar. Track mass - 1767 kg.
The undercarriage of the tank provides a smooth ride, low noise level and at the same time high dynamic performance. Experts consider it the best of all available on our tanks.
Property boxes are mounted on brackets on the left side of the tower, and a wind sensor is located in the center of the roof.
In the transmission - two final drives complete with final drive, three planetary gear sets and five clutches per side.
The armament of the T-80B tank is a 125-mm smoothbore gun 2A46M-1 (D-81 TM), a 7.62-mm coaxial PKT machine gun, an anti-aircraft 12.7-mm machine gun NSVT "Utyos", a guided weapon system KUV 9K112-1 " Cobra".
The tank's ammunition load includes 38 shots; of which 28 armor-piercing sub-caliber, high-explosive fragmentation, cumulative placed in the conveyor of the loading mechanism. The other five shells and seven charges are in the control compartment in the tank rack; two more shells and two charges - at the bulkhead of the power compartment between the medium fuel tanks, finally, one shell - placed vertically in the fighting compartment behind the back of the commander's seat, and the charge was laid on the floor. 1250 rounds for the PKT machine gun are placed in magazines in the fighting compartment and on the turret mount, and magazines with 500 rounds for 12.7 mm NSVT are located on the right side of the rear of the turret and also on the machine gun mount.
The driving wheel of the tank, above it - the protective screens of the undercarriage with a connecting lock.
Twin road wheels, "long" torsion bar output bolt and shock absorber.
Fire from the 2A46M-1 cannon can be fired with high-explosive fragmentation projectiles (OFS) 3OF19 shot 3VOF22 and 3OF26 shot 3VOF36, designed to destroy manpower, various military equipment and field-type shelters. They are equipped with a B-429E fuse, which provides three functions: high-explosive, fragmentation and delayed action of the projectile. For direct fire at tanks, self-propelled artillery mounts, and other armored vehicles, the ammunition load includes cumulative projectiles (KS) 3BK12M of 3VKB7 and 3BK14M of 3VBK10 rounds. The shells are equipped with a stabilizer with six blades, a tracer for tracking its trajectory and hitting the target, which lasts 6–7 s.
In addition, also on tanks and armored vehicles, but also on armored caps, embrasures of long-term defensive structures, fire is carried out by armor-piercing sub-caliber shells (BPS) 3BM9, 3BM12, 3BM15, 3BM17 shots 3VBM3, 3VBM6, 3VBM7, 3VBM8 respectively. The shells themselves have ballistic tips, and in their rear part there are tracers with a burning time of 2–3 s.
When firing all types of tank shells, a single 4Zh40 charge is used, consisting of a partially burning cartridge case and a live powder charge with means of ignition, flame extinguishing and other elements placed in the cartridge case. When fired, a part of its body, pressed into the pan, burns out, the metal pan itself is thrown out of the gun chamber onto the catcher of the loading mechanism.
The maximum firing range of a high-explosive fragmentation projectile is 10,000 m at the optimum gun elevation angle. The range of a direct shot with a cumulative projectile is 1000 m, with an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile - 2120 m.
All shots of the T-80B tank are unified with the ammunition of the T-64 and T-72 tanks.
The gun is loaded automatically by the loading mechanism (MZ). After each shot fired, a pallet is ejected from the bore, which fits into the MOH catching mechanism. When you press the button for selecting the type of projectile on the control panel, the stabilizer automatically brings the gun to a certain loading angle, then the conveyor is set in motion, bringing the selected shot to the breech. Here, the feed mechanism feeds the tray to the chambering mechanism, which "charges" the gun - its shutter closes. At the same time, the previous pallet is transferred from the catcher to the newly vacated tray. The loaded gun is removed from the stopper and the stabilizer is displayed on the aiming line. After firing, the cycle repeats.
The minimum duration of loading one shot when the conveyor is rotated one step is 7.1 s.
A bulldozer blade for self-digging of the tank is mounted on the lower part of the front hull plate. With its help, a caponier with dimensions of 12x5.5x1.5 m is torn off in sandy soil in 15 minutes.
The gun is equipped with a built-in control of the gunner's sight alignment.
The quick-release connection of the barrel tube with the breech allows it to be replaced in the field without dismantling the entire gun from the turret.
The tank was equipped with a fire control system SUO 1A33. The system is designed to ensure the effectiveness of fire, detection of targets and tracking them by the commander and gunner, automatic input of corrections for deviations from normal firing conditions, guidance and stabilization of weapons, input of target designation from the commander.
With the help of the FCS, it is possible to fire at tanks and armored targets moving at speeds up to 75 km/h, at small targets and manpower from a standstill and on the move at speeds up to 30 km/h. Fire can be fired both in line of sight and from concealed positions.
The system includes: a rangefinder sight 1G42, a weapon stabilizer 2E26M, a set of sensors for input information - wind, hull roll, tank speed, heading angle, a shot resolution unit 1G43, a tank ballistic computer 1V517 (TBV).
It is TBV that generates corrections for the range to the target, data on aiming angles and angular lead of the gun from automatically entered information from sensors and a rangefinder.
Armament stabilizer 2E26M - two-plane, gyroscopic, with electro-hydraulic drives. When the tank moves on the battlefield, the stabilizer gyroscope keeps its position in space unchanged, thereby ensuring the immobility of the field of view of the sight. However, the gun itself, for dynamic reasons (friction in the trunnions, hydraulic resistance in the slave cylinder) tends to lag behind the "orders" of the stabilizer. The shot permission block issues a command to fire only when the specified minimum angle of mismatch between the stabilized line of sight and the actual position of the gun is provided.
When measuring the range with a rangefinder sight, its optical quantum generator is launched, emitting a powerful short light pulse towards the target, but partially falling on the photodiode of the receiving channel. Reflected from the target, the light pulse comes back to the photodetector. The time interval between emission and acceptance of the reflected signal corresponds to the distance to the target.
The wind sensor is designed to generate signals proportional to the lateral component of the wind speed. The roll sensor generates signals indicating the roll angle of the gun trunnion axis. The speed sensor gearbox is connected to the rotating cover of the steering wheel, so its signal is proportional to the speed of the tank. In addition to the readings of these sensors, when firing, some of the necessary indicators are entered into the TBV manually. This is data on changes in charge temperature, air temperature, atmospheric pressure, and gun barrel wear.
Gas turbine engine GTD-1000TF with a power of 1000 hp with two independent turbochargers and a turbine. The engine has an automatic control system for the operation of the SAUR.
Anti-aircraft installation of a tank with a 12.7-mm machine gun NSVT "Cliff" remote control.
The main components and equipment of the FCS are located on the tank as follows: rangefinder sight - in front of the turret to the left of the gun; shot resolution block - in front of the turret under the gun; tank ballistic computer - to the right of the commander's seat; weapon stabilizer nodes - in the hull and turret; control unit - on the floor under the gunner's seat; electrical unit - on the floor behind the gunner's seat; linear acceleration sensor - in the tank turret behind the commander's observation devices; tank speed sensor - in its left steering wheel; roll sensor - on the floor to the right of the gun; wind sensor - at the stern of the tower.
In addition to the cannon and machine guns, the T-80B tank was equipped with the KUV 9K112-1 Cobra guided weapon system for effective cannon fire with guided projectiles on tanks, armored vehicles, and small fortifications - from a place and on the move. Firing range - up to 4000 m, target speed - up to 75 km / h. It is also possible to fight helicopters flying at a speed of no more than 300 km / h at an altitude of up to 500 m; the range of their defeat is also up to 4000 m.
The complex consists of control equipment with a transmitter, a photodetector, an antenna unit, a command formation and control unit, other devices, and, of course, the 9M112M guided projectile itself. All equipment is located in the fighting compartment of the tank in the form of separate removable blocks and is functionally connected to the tank's control system.
The projectile consists of two compartments: the head and tail, which are connected on the MZ tray when the gun is sent into the chamber; in the tank they are stored separately. In the head compartment warhead cumulative type and sustainer engine; in the tail - there is a throwing device, rudders, wings, on-board equipment designed to receive, detect, amplify and decipher control commands.
When fired, the projectile is ejected from the gun barrel by powder gases of the propelling device, its wings and rudders open, the feedback emitter and antenna open. Further, its speed is maintained by a main engine.
Semi-automatic control of the 9M112M projectile is carried out within the line of sight via a radio link; feedback - by means of an onboard modulated light source - emitter. The gunner must constantly keep the aiming mark on the target during the entire flight of the projectile.
The tank is camouflaged with thermal smoke equipment for setting multiple smoke screens. When the engine is running, diesel fuel is injected into the exhaust gases through injectors. Due to their high temperature, the fuel evaporates, turning into a vapor-gas mixture, which, getting into colder outside air, condenses and forms fog. Fuel consumption is minimal at the same time and is only 10 l / min; continuous action cycle - up to 10 min.
View of the T-80B tank from the stern. An OPVT pipe is attached to the upper part of the tower, additional fuel drums are on the sides, below is a guide grate for the engine exhaust device, under it is a log for self-extraction.
The same purpose is served by 81-mm smoke grenades of the 902B system, the blocks of which are installed along the sides of the tower. The range of their launch is 250–300 m, providing the maximum front of the smoke screen with a salvo of four grenades up to 110–120 m. The mass of the grenade is 2.4 kg; block launcher weight - 3.6 kg.
The tank is equipped with weapon protection mass destruction(WMD). This is collective system, providing protection for the crew and internal equipment from the impact of a shock wave, radioactive and toxic substances, with sensors, a measuring console, a power supply unit installed in the niche of the internal right fuel tank, as well as mechanically closing hull and turret seals.
The protection itself is provided by the setting of the undercut and overcut, the sealing system and the filter-ventilation unit for supplying purified air to the habitable compartments.
The lining significantly reduces the effect of gamma and neutron radiation on the crew due to its chemical composition, and also prevents the scattering of small pieces of armor inside the hull.
If necessary, the crew has the opportunity to use standard individual anti-radiation suits.
On board are also radiation and chemical reconnaissance devices.
There is also fire-fighting equipment (PPO) - an automatic three-time action system 3ETs13 "Hoarfrost". It includes 15 thermal sensors scattered throughout the body of the tank, and three cylinders of fire-extinguishing liquid with freon 114B2.
Communication facilities are unified with all types of tanks and other combat vehicles. The R-123M transceiver station allows you to maintain communication on medium-rough terrain with stations of the same type at a distance of at least 20 km, even when driving at a speed of 40 km/h. The operating frequency range of the radio station is 20–51.5 MHz.
Underwater driving equipment (OPVT), installed on the tank, is designed to overcome water barriers along the bottom, ensuring the sealing of the hull and turret. Its kit includes: an air supply pipe-snorkel, seals for the gun and machine gun embrasures, exhaust valves, air cleaner dampers. Movement under water in a certain direction is controlled by the GPK-59 gyro-semi-compass using radio communication. No preparation for firing on landfall is required.
The removable part of the equipment is installed in 35-37 minutes, it is dismantled and laid on the tank in 20 minutes. The mass of the OPVT kit is 129 kg.
If necessary, two pumps with a capacity of up to 100 l / min are used to pump water out of the housing.
For self-digging on the body of the tank - on its lower front sheet - a bulldozer blade is mounted, there are also devices for attaching the KMT-6 mine trawl.
The dozer blade has a width of 2140 mm; from marching to working position it is transferred in 1-2 minutes, again in marching position - in 3-5 minutes. With it, you can open a caponier measuring 12x5.5x1.5 m in sandy soil in 12–15 minutes, in clay soil in 20–40 minutes.
On the hull of the tank itself are located: external fuel tanks included in the common fuel system, spare parts boxes, spare tracks, towing cables, removable OPVT equipment, covering tarpaulin. Be sure to have a log for self-pulling; it is attached to the rear of the machine.
T-80U.
T-80BV.
From the book The last spurt of Soviet tank builders the author Apukhtin YuriChapter 4. Search for the layout of the tank The general layout of the tank "Boxer" The general layout of the tank "Boxer" 2.03.81. Kovalyuh summoned Rudenko, Korobeinikov and me. He outlined the past NTS, the strangest thing is that he left with a completely different opinion than I do - he believes that, in principle, the complex
From the book Create a do-it-yourself android robot author Lovin JohnChapter 6. The development of the tank is supported at all levels 04/15/83. Kovalyuh and I were in the Kremlin at the military-industrial complex with Kostenko for the final editing of the draft decision of the military-industrial complex prepared by them on "Rebel". All our proposals were accepted, the deadlines for the completion of work have not changed, added
From the book Heavy Tank T-10 author Mashkin A.Lessons from the development of a new generation tank Tank "Boxer" / "Hammer" with an active protection system Proposed type of tank "Boxer" / "Hammer" with an active protection system
From the book "Object 195" Reflections on the possible appearance of a promising Russian tank author BTVT.narod.ruConstruction Construction of a robot begins with finding a suitable chassis from an RC car. Most RC car models have an external decorative casing that gives them the appearance of a real car, truck, ATV, etc.
From book Chief designer V.N. Venediktov Life Dedicated to Tanks author Baranov I. N.The design of the T-10 tank "object 730" Armored mask of the T-10 tank turret; next to the gun is a coaxial 12.7-mm machine gun DShKMB. Boards - composite of the upper inclined and lower bent parts.
From the book Easy Panzer tank I author Knyazev M.VEHICLES BASED ON THE T-10 TANK SAU "object 268" Self-propelled artillery mount "object 268" with a 152-mm M-64 gun and a 14.5-mm anti-aircraft machine gun "with a 152-mm M-64 gun. To place it on the body of the installation, they mounted
From the book Heavy tank "Panther". The first complete encyclopedia author Kolomiets Maxim ViktorovichCreation promising tank in Russia The creation of a promising tank within the framework of the Improvement-88 R & D, in the period of the beginning, mid-2000s, was considered a priority direction for the development of armored weapons and armored Russia.
From the book Medium Tank T-28. The three-headed monster of Stalin author Kolomiets Maxim ViktorovichTests of experimental and serial samples of the T-72 tank The experimental tanks "Object 172M" had to pass the tests, which were brought to the attention of the Central Committee of the CPSU, the military-industrial complex, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Defense Industry and a number of other ministries and many enterprises.
From the book Tank T-80 author Borzenko V.SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY UNIT BASED ON THE Pz.I Panzerj?ger I TANK
From the book ABC of Single Rope Technique author Nedkov PetkoDEVICE OF THE PANTER TANK Ausf.D The design of the Panther tanks of all modifications is almost identical, with the exception of a number of changes. Therefore, below is a description of the device "Panther" Ausf.D, and changes in the machines of modifications Ausf.A and Ausf.G will be discussed in the relevant
From the author's bookDEVICE OF THE T-28 TANK The T-28 tank passes through Uritsky Square. Leningrad, May 1, 1937. Vehicle manufactured in 1935, early-type road wheels (ASKM) are clearly visible. TANK BODY. For the entire time of mass production, T-28 tanks had two types of hulls: welded (from homogeneous armor) and
From the author's bookEVALUATION OF THE T-28 TANK In general, the design of the T-28 tank can be considered quite perfect for its time. The composition and arrangement of weapons, in relation to the concept of a multi-turret layout, were optimal. Three towers placed in two tiers, with their independent
From the author's bookCREATION OF A TANK WITH GTE Tank T-80UD of the 4th Guards Kantemirovskaya Tank Division on one of the streets of Moscow. August 1991 April 19, 1968 by a joint resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR "On the creation of gas turbine power plants for facilities armored vehicles»
From the author's bookMODIFICATIONS OF THE T-80 TANK "Object 219 sp 1", 1969 - the first version of the prototype of the T-80 tank, modification of the T-64A: running gear like the T-64, gas turbine engine GTD-1000T; development of SKB-2 LK3. "Object 219 sp 2", 1972 - the second version of the prototype of the T-80 tank: a new undercarriage with a torsion
From the author's bookSPECIAL VEHICLES BASED ON THE T-80 TANK The BREM-80UBREM-80U armored repair and recovery vehicle was created on the basis of the T-80 tank and retains all its capabilities in terms of speed, maneuverability, overcoming obstacles, and armor protection of the crew. It is designed for complex
From the author's book2.3 construction The construction of modern ropes is cable type. It was first used by the firm "Edelrid" in 1953. Such a rope has a bearing core and a protective sheath (Fig. 7). The core consists of several tens of thousands of synthetic threads. They are divided into two, three or
The main battle tank T-80 is made according to the classic layout scheme. In front of the body, strictly along the longitudinal axis, there is a control compartment. The fighting compartment, where the main and auxiliary weapons are installed and the places of the commander (to the right of the gun) and the gunner (to the left of the gun), are equipped, is located in the middle part of the hull in a rotating turret. The aft part of the tank is occupied by the engine-transmission compartment, where a gas turbine engine with service systems and transmission units are installed, isolated from the first two compartments. Thanks to the use of compact components and assemblies, as well as their very dense layout, it was possible to ensure a low silhouette of the machine and optimal weight.
The issue of protecting the crew and internal equipment of the tank from being hit by anti-tank weapons and weapons of mass destruction has been seriously worked out.
The armor of the hull and turret is differentiated in thickness and composition in accordance with the probabilistic laws of shelling the vehicle in terms of the directions and power of the anti-tank weapons used. Taking into account the same laws, the most rational angles of inclination are given to the armor parts. To increase resistance against cumulative ammunition, the frontal parts of the hull and turret are protected by composite armor, which includes, in addition to steel, non-metals.
A set of non-metallic elements contributes to the "break" of the cumulative jet and the loss of its energy. The sides of the hull are covered with anti-cumulative shields, which are solid (along the entire length of the side) screens made of reinforced rubber with armor plates (the front half of the length of the screen). Such a barrier causes a premature detonation of the cumulative ammunition and a significant loss of jet energy before reaching the main armor of the side of the tank.
To provide protection against high-precision weapons that hit the tank, as a rule, from the upper hemisphere to the engine compartment area (all of them are mainly with thermal homing heads), the exhaust manifold guide grille was made in a box shape. This made it possible to somewhat remove the exit point of hot gases from the aft armor plate and actually "deceive" the homing aids. In addition, the set of underwater tank driving equipment (OPVT) available on the machine was placed at the stern of the tower, thus covering a significant part of the MTO roof.
The inner walls of the fighting compartment and the control compartment were covered with a layer of lining made of polymer material. It performs a double protective function. When kinetic and armor-piercing high-explosive anti-tank ammunition enters the tank, it prevents small armor fragments that form on the inner surface of the armor from scattering inside the hull. In addition, thanks to a specially selected chemical composition, this lining significantly reduces the effect of gamma radiation on the crew. For the same purposes, a special plate and an insert in the driver's seat (protecting it from radiation when overcoming contaminated terrain) serve the same purposes.
Protection against neutron weapons is also provided. As is known, these particles with zero charge are most effectively retained by hydrogen-containing materials. Therefore, the lining, which was mentioned above, is made of just such a material. The fuel tanks of the engine power system are located outside and inside the vehicle in such a way as to surround the crew with an almost continuous anti-neutron belt.
Also, for protection against weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical and bacteriological and for extinguishing fires arising in the vehicle, a special semi-automatic collective protection system (SKS) installed in the tank is intended. It includes: a radiation and chemical reconnaissance device (PRKhR), switching equipment ZETs-11 -2, a filter-ventilation unit (FVU), a sub-pressure meter, an engine stop mechanism (MOS), closable seals with actuators, and permanent hull and turret seals.
Front armor plate of the T-80 hull with driver's periscopes Periscopes and driver's hatch
Gunner's forward periscopes Side periscope gunner 
Installation of gunner's sights Commander's cupola with a machine gun on the T-80 and T-80B 
Aft part of the tower Aft turret and gunner's hatch 
Side rubber screens with internal steel plates Side rubber screens with external steel plates 
GTE exhaust guide grate Exhaust box hanger assembly 
Hinge OPVTna T-80 
Hinge OPVT on the T-80U (option) The system operates in two modes: automatic and manual - by commands from the control panel (in exceptional cases, to extinguish fires by command from the PI-5 panel).
In the automatic (main) mode, when radioactive or chemical air contamination is detected outside the tank (using the PRHR device in the constant air monitoring mode), a command is sent from the sensors of the system to the actuators of the closing seals and the filter-ventilation unit is turned on, creating an excess pressure of purified air in the habitable compartments . At the same time, sound and light alarms are activated, notifying the crew of the nature of the contamination of the area. The efficiency and reliability of the system's operation have been proven during special tests with simulations of air contamination situations that are close to realistically possible.
Air sampler, from PRHR kit 
Air intake FVU The fire-fighting equipment is connected to the CPS through the ZETs-11-2 switching equipment and can operate automatically or from the buttons on the consoles of the driver and commander. In automatic mode, the equipment is triggered by a signal from the temperature sensors of the ZETs-11-2 equipment. At the same time, the supercharger is turned off and the HVU valves are closed and the MOD is activated. As a result, air access to the MTO is stopped. Then the squib of one of the three cylinders with fire extinguishing composition is blown up and through the sprayer it is filled with the appropriate (place of fire) compartment of the tank. After extinguishing the fire, the HVU supercharger automatically turns on with the opening of the valves, which contributes to the rapid removal of combustion products and fire extinguishing composition from the habitable compartments of the tank. In this case, an electrical signal is removed from the MOD, which makes it possible to start the engine.
The listed design solutions serve to protect the crew and internal equipment of the tank in case of hit by various anti-tank weapons. In order to reduce the likelihood of their hitting, thermal smoke equipment was installed on the T-80. Thus, the camouflage properties of the vehicle were increased, which, combined with its low silhouette and high dynamic qualities, makes it much more difficult for the enemy to accurately aim.
Installation of anti-aircraft 12.7 mm machine gun NS VT on T-80 and T-80B 
Nest coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun 
remote control drive anti-aircraft machine gun on the T-80U 
Drive and link collector of an anti-aircraft machine gun WEAPON SYSTEM
As the main armament, they used the D-81 (2A46) 125 mm caliber smoothbore gun, which had proven itself on the T-64A, stabilized in two planes with an automatic loader. The range of a direct shot from it with a sub-caliber projectile (initial speed of 1800 m / s) was 2100 m. A PKT tank machine gun of 7.62 mm caliber, also used on previous machines, is paired with a cannon. Anti-aircraft machine gun NSVT caliber 12.7 mm mounted on the turret of the commander's cupola. The TPD-2-49 optical stereoscopic rangefinder sight with independent stabilization of the vertical field of view allowed the gunner to quickly and with high accuracy determine the range to the target within 1000–4000 m. To determine shorter ranges, there was a rangefinder scale in the field of view of the sight. Measurement data was automatically entered into the sight (the aiming mark was raised or lowered). Also, corrections for the speed of the tank were automatically introduced (mechanism HELL) and the type of projectile used (ballistic mechanism). In one block with a sight, a weapon guidance control panel with buttons for determining the range and firing was made. The night sights of the T-80 commander and gunner were borrowed from the T-64A.
GTD-1000 with units of power plant systems, left view 
GTD-1000, front view of the input device 
tank rack 
Two independent shafts with centrifugal compressors and their turbines 
Flow part of GTD-1000, longitudinal section
Combustion chamber, compressor turbines and RSA GTD-1000
In general, the tower of the first models of the T-80 tank was largely similar to that installed on the T-64A (including aiming and observation devices, as well as a fire control complex). The difference was only in the capacity of the mechanized ammo rack of the automatic loader. Here it was possible to place only 28 shots instead of 30 for the T-64.
POWER PLANT AND ITS SYSTEMS
The T-80 power plant consists of a GTD-1000T gas turbine engine (with a capacity of 736 kW (1000 hp)), with its servicing systems, and a set of special equipment. The engine is made according to a three-shaft scheme with two independent turbochargers and a free power turbine. In the car, it is located longitudinally (with the power turbine back) and is attached at three points. Unlike all previous tanks, the front engine attachment point of the T-80 is located not on the bottom, but on the upper armor plate of the hull. The other two supports are similar to the supports on the T-64A - in the yokes at the junction with the gearboxes.
The systems serving the engine (fuel, lubrication, air cleaning, air) are made in the same unit with it (with the exception of fuel and oil tanks and some pumps) and are structurally very different from those used in tanks with diesel engines. Thus, the fuel system of this tank, in addition to traditional functions (storage, transportation, fuel purification and its supply to the combustion chamber), also controls the engine start panel, protects it from operating at modes exceeding the maximum gas temperature and turbocharger and power turbine speeds, provides the operation of the hydraulic mechanism of the drive of the adjustable nozzle apparatus, periodically removes fuel from the engine flow path.
Reinforcement on the front of the MTO roof for engine mounting 
Attachment of "boxes" OPVT on the T-80 Attachment of "boxes" OPVT on the T-80U (option) 
In total, there are 13 tanks in the fuel system (in the outer and inner groups). There are 5 tanks on the right and left fenders (2 on the right and 3 on the left). Inside the vehicle, tanks are installed almost along the entire perimeter of the hull, encircling the fighting compartment. The front left and front right tanks and a tank rack are installed in the front part. Ammunition is placed in the rack tank (a variant of the so-called wet ammo rack). Further, clockwise, there are the middle right (in the fighting compartment), the right, aft and supply tanks (in the engine compartment) and the middle left (in the fighting compartment). Thus, the most efficient use
track roller 
Object 172M 
Object 167 
Tank T-80 GTD-1000 
Target shot Overcoming the water barrier wade 
Main battle tank T-80 
Track roller and balancer, view from under the bottom of the hull Support rollers and balancers travel stops 
Drive wheel "asterisk" 
Track links 
"Restrictor" that prevents foreign objects from entering the gap between track and hull almost the entire reserved volume of the tank (with the exception of the crew necessary for combat work) and a high degree of protection against the damaging effects of neutron weapons.
The engine control system also differs significantly from the systems of known diesel engines. It consists of a mechanical drive for fuel supply and a hydraulic servomotor of an adjustable nozzle apparatus (RSA). The fuel supply can be controlled by the pedal or the handle of the manual feed sector. However, the use of these drives is limited, as a rule, only to set a certain mode of fuel supply. The control of the acceleration and deceleration of the engine is carried out using the PCA. It is a rotary vanes in the flow part of the engine in front of the impeller of a free turbine. Due to the rotation of the PCA blades, the vehicle is braked by the engine, the speed of the free turbine (through a gearbox is connected to the transmission) is controlled during the movement of the tank, and the turbine rotor is not carried out at the time of gear shifting.
Due to the absence of a rigid connection between the transmission and the engine shaft (there is only a gas connection between the rotor of the free turbine and the second turbine), stopping the impeller of the free turbine (due to the high resistance to the movement of the tank) does not lead to engine stop.
Idler wheel "Head" of the track tensioner drive 
Hinge on the tank devices for self-digging 
One of the most important elements of the T-80 power plant is the air cleaning system. This is explained by the fact that the gas turbine at maximum power consumes a lot of air (up to 4 kg / s), its flow rate is very high. Naturally, the engine is very sensitive to the presence of dust in the air entering it. Therefore, a high-efficiency air cleaning system is installed in the T-80 tank. A compromise solution is implemented in its design: a high efficiency of air purification from mechanical particles is achieved with a minimum inlet resistance. The system includes: air intake shutters for the roof of the engine compartment with a protective mesh, an air cleaner unit and oil coolers; fan blowing units; two fans for dust extraction and oil cooling; two air ducts for ejection of cooling air and dust; engine bulkhead hatch; air filters of the nozzle apparatus of the high-pressure turbine and pressurization of the support cavities. The air cleaner unit (single-stage inertial type) and radiators is installed transversely in the engine compartment and is attached to the front support of the monoblock. All fans are engine driven and mounted on the front drive box. The air cleaning system operates in two modes: movement on land and movement with OPVT. In the first case, air is taken from the atmosphere above the air cleaner louvers and, having passed through the cyclones, enters the engine flow path. When installing the OPVT, special casings, an air supply pipe and a gas exhaust pipe are attached to the inlet shutters. Instead of the cover of the air cleaner housing, a mesh is installed. In this mode, the air flow is taken through the air supply pipe and firstly enters under the left casing and, through the connecting pipe, under the right one, and then into the air cleaner unit, similarly to work when driving on land. In this case, the resistance at the air inlet increases slightly. To compensate for these losses, a charge is used from the cooling air and dust selection system, which enters the MTO (the exhaust air ducts are closed) and is taken back into the air cleaner and then into the engine flow path.
To ensure the normal functioning of the engine and its servicing systems in various operating conditions, special equipment is included in the T-80 power plant. It includes: dust blowing and vibration cleaning systems; a device for spraying fuel with compressed air and blowing nozzles, thermal smoke equipment.
The dust blowing system is designed to remove dust deposits from the interblade channels of the impellers of the engine compressors when operating in conditions of high dust content in the air. For this purpose, compressed air from air cylinders is used. The system operates in two modes - automatic and manual. A vibration cleaning system is used to clean the body and blades of the high-pressure turbine nozzle apparatus from glass-like deposits and loess dust melted in the combustion chamber.
The device for atomizing fuel and purging injectors is designed to improve the atomization of diesel fuel and direactive mixtures (ensuring multi-fuel and easier start-up) when starting the engine, as well as for purging injectors after it has stopped. Thermal smoke equipment provides the setting of camouflage smoke screens during combat operations. Since fuel from the engine power system is used as a smoke-generating substance, the equipment can act repeatedly.
Hanging a log for self-pulling Knots for hitching a mine trawl 
During long-term tests on the entire set of road-dirt and climatic conditions, as well as during the period of military operation, on long marches and during exercises and tactical exercises, the high efficiency and reliability of the gas turbine power plant were proved, reserves for its further improvement were identified, which were implemented on subsequent T-80 models.
TRANSMISSION AND CHASSIS
The transmission of the T-80 tank is two-block mechanical, with a hydraulic servo control system. It consists of two onboard planetary gearboxes, structurally combined into one unit with onboard gearboxes. Gearboxes are similar to those on the T-64, but differ from them in the number of gears (4 instead of 7). This reduction was facilitated by the favorable torque characteristics of the engine, which significantly expanded the range of application of each gear. Thanks to this, it was possible, while maintaining acceptable dimensions of the boxes, to significantly strengthen their elements, which, in turn, contributed to an increase in the reliability and durability of the units. The rectilinear movement of the tank is ensured by the synchronous operation of both units, and the turn is carried out by turning on the lagging side of the box, which is lowered by one gear stage. Therefore, a turn with a minimum design radius equal to the track width of the tank is possible, like the T-64, only in 1st or reverse gear. However, depending on the position of the control lever, the following are provided: machine turns with a free radius (at the beginning of the lever travel), depending on road and ground conditions, since at this moment the gear is simply switched off in the lagging side box; smooth turns (with further movement of the lever) due to slipping of the engagement clutches and a smooth decrease in the turning radius from the value of the free one; turns with the estimated radius in gear (with the lever fully depressed).
There is no clutch mechanism in the traditional sense in the transmission of the T-80 tank. Its role is performed by the RSA mentioned above. When shifting gears, the PCA pedal is moved all the way. In this case, the blades of the nozzle apparatus are rotated by 70–80° from the position corresponding to the maximum traction power of the turbine, which actually leads to its stop (zero power position). Moreover, it is possible to move the selector lever only when the PCA pedal is depressed, since in the initial position it mechanically and electrically blocks the gearshift hydraulic servo drive. Thus, the guaranteed protection of the turbine rotor against runaway is ensured. By the way, the absence of such a mechanism in the GTD-ZT engine of object 167-T led to the destruction of the turbine blades during testing.
Rear tow hook Tow hook lock 
Gearbox control drives of the same type as on the T-64. Their master elements are the gearshift lever, two steering control levers and the brake pedal located in the control compartment, while the actuating devices are hydraulic servo drives. The driver, acting on any setting control, applies the forces necessary to turn the small spool in the distribution mechanisms. This requires so little effort that it was necessary to install additional loaders on some controls (for example, in the steering drive).
To ensure shockless and smooth gear shifting, the hydraulic control system has a special smoothness box. Due to its presence, the processes of relieving oil pressure in the clutch boosters of both boxes (when the gear is turned off) and its increase are automatically adjusted in time.
The machine is braked at the moment the pedal is pressed, which through a mechanical drive acts on the hydraulic booster control valve, the piston of the latter, moving under pressure, turns on the stopping brakes of the gearboxes. The parking brake (mountain) has a mechanical servo drive.
The caterpillar mover of the T-80 tank (as applied to one side) consists of a small-sized caterpillar with a rubber-metal hinge and a rubber-coated treadmill, six dual road wheels with external shock absorption in the form of rubber arrays, five rubber-coated support rollers, a drive wheel with removable rims and a guide wheel with tension mechanism.
As already noted, the increase in the dynamic characteristics of the tank due to the installation of a more powerful engine than that of the T-64 and T-72 led to the need to improve the chassis. However, its design, similar to the T-72, was too heavy, similar to the T-64 - simply could not withstand the loads. The designers found a compromise. The track rollers were made somewhat smaller in diameter than those of the T-72, and the caterpillar track (the inner surface of the tracks) was covered with rubber shoes.
The caterpillar of the machine is a small-linked lantern gear (the transmission of force from the drive wheel is carried out through brackets fixed at the ends of the fingers) consists of 80 tracks with a rubber-metal hinge. Each track consists of two stamped links, two pins are pressed into the eyes, and rubber pads are vulcanized onto the upper part. The tracks are interconnected in the middle part with ridges and shoes, which are bolted together. Staples (the so-called binoculars) are put on the fingers of adjacent tracks along the edges. Caterpillar tracks are symmetrical and can be put on from any side.
The drive wheel consists of a two-piece welded hub, two removable gear rims and a restrictive disk. The toothed rims have 12 teeth each, the working sections of the profiles of which are reinforced with wear-resistant surfacing. As the teeth wear, the drive wheels are swapped or replaced with gear rims. The track roller T-80 is dual-slope, with removable disks, made of aluminum alloy. The outer surface of the discs is vulcanized with a massive rubber tire. Support rollers are single-sided, also equipped with a rubber tyre.
The steering wheel of the machine consists of two cast discs welded together with windows for the exit of dirt and snow and stiffeners. In the bores of the axles of the guide wheels there is a gearbox and an electrospeedometer sensor (on the right) and a gearbox with a tachogenerator to ensure the operation of the IM mechanism (on the left). The track tensioning mechanism is single-worm with globoid gearing, directly perceives the forces acting on the idler wheel.
The suspension of the car is individual. Long, full-width torsion bars are used as elastic elements, providing a large dynamic travel of the road wheels. On the 1st, 2nd and 6th suspension units, powerful double-acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers are installed. In general, the chassis of the T-80 satisfies the requirements of marching conditions and provides high maneuverability on weakly bearing and loose soils in combat conditions. The design of the tank turned out to be quite light ("openwork") and reliable, having a reserve for increasing the mass of the tank.
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
The machine has several sets of special equipment designed to increase the autonomy of the machine in combat conditions. These include OPVT (it was discussed above), equipment for self-digging and equipment for self-extraction. The self-digging equipment is a blade with four struts and guides, which is installed on the lower front armor plate of the tank hull. With its help, the machine can independently, without the involvement of special engineering tools, open a shelter for itself in a short time.
The self-extraction kit is even simpler. This is a log, two cables with loops and brackets with bolts and nuts. Using this simple set, the tank crew is able, without involving evacuation means, to ensure the independent exit of the vehicle in case of its one or two tracks getting stuck on the ground with poor grip.
In addition, the T-80 has special devices for installing the KMT-6 anti-mine trawl, with which you can make rut passages in minefields.
T-80UD on the streets of Moscow, August 1991 (photo by D. Grinyuk)
The history of the creation of the T-80 tank began in July 1967 with a meeting with the Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPSU D.F. Ustinov, at which it was decided to develop a gas turbine power plant for the T-64 tank. 1000 hp engine had to provide a power reserve on the highway of at least 450 km with a warranty period of 500 hours. The reason for making this decision, as well as creating a backup power plant with a V-46 diesel engine, was that the 5TDF two-stroke engine of the T-64 tank worked very unreliable. In addition, there was an opinion among the military leadership that the use of gas turbine engines in tanks would significantly increase the combat and operational characteristics, including average speeds and combat readiness (especially in winter), as well as increase the power supply of the tank.
As a result of the meeting on April 16, 1968, a joint resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU and the Council of Ministers of the USSR was adopted, obliging the Ministry of Defense Industry and the Ministry of Aviation Industry to conduct development work on the gas turbine engine during 1968-1971. By this time, the LNPO named after V. Klimov had developed a successful engine GTD-1000T with a capacity of 1000 hp, and in KB-3 of the Kirov Plant, taking the gas turbine version of the T-64A tank as a basis, in 1970 they completed an experimental object 219 in metal.
More than 60 tanks were manufactured for testing in various climatic conditions, including for factory tests, in military operation and on special stands (trackless stand, cold chamber, wind tunnel, etc.). These tests showed that gas turbine engines still do not have sufficient reliability, have high fuel consumption and do not provide the required power reserve. Serious problems arose in terms of engine performance in conditions of high air dustiness, as well as transmission and chassis, due to an increase in engine power and speed.
To increase the power reserve, the amount of transported fuel was increased to 1700 liters (of which 1150 liters were booked) instead of 1093 liters (738 liters) on the T-64A tank. In addition, two additional 400-liter barrels were installed, which were absent on the T-64A.
Conducted in 1972, comparative tests of the object 219 and T-64A showed some advantages of the first. In the winter of 1973, in the Siberian Military District, at the training ground in Yurga, an experimental military operation of seven tanks was carried out, according to the results of which the commission concluded that this tank has higher maneuverability and maneuverability, is capable of making marches as part of a company up to 100 - 150 km per day on unprepared trails (without the use of snow plows), overcome snowdrifts up to 2 - 3 m and confidently move on virgin soil with a snow depth of up to 1 m.
The use of a gas turbine engine that did not require "warm-up before launch" increased the combat readiness of the tank in winter conditions and reduced the time for its preparation for exit to 2 - 3 minutes at -18 ° C and to 25 - 32 minutes - at lower temperatures (up to -45 ° C ) temperatures. Along with this, fuel consumption per 100 km of the way when the column was moving on virgin snow did not ensure the daily passage of tanks 300-400 km without refueling. No failure-free operation of engines was not ensured within the warranty period.
In 1974 - 1975, in the Volga Military District, an experimental military operation of a battalion of tanks in the amount of 10 - 11 thousand km was carried out. At its beginning, there was a massive failure of the gas turbine engine, mainly due to the destruction of the third support of the turbocharger. Urgent measures were taken to eliminate this shortcoming, and by December 15, 1974, the battalion received 10 modified engines of the so-called 8th series. In this regard, the experimental military operation program was clarified and for 10 tanks with improved engines, a testing stage was added in conditions of loess dust in the air in the Turkestan military district.
Cars there were refueled with both aviation kerosene and diesel fuel. In the conclusions of the final report on experimental military operation, it was stated that the combat readiness of object 219 at low temperatures was 1.5 - 2 times higher than that of tanks with diesel engines. He had high maneuverability, was able, in cooperation with the BMP, to rapidly advance to the front line at a speed of 20 - 30 km / h or more, attack the enemy while under the influence of his firepower for less time, and provide firing at speeds of 20 - 25 km /h
Depending on the road and climatic conditions, the average speed was within 18 - 32 km/h (tactical) and 20 - 40 km/h (technical). Fuel consumption per 100 km: 453 - 838 l; for 1 hour of engine operation: 123 - 209 l; cruising range without barrels: 220 - 368 km, and with additional barrels: 270 - 456 km. Oil consumption was practically non-existent.
On August 6, 1976, shortly after the appointment of D.F. Ustinov as Minister of Defense, object 219 was put into service under the symbol T-80. "Eighty" became the world's first mass-produced tank with a gas turbine engine (serial production of the M1 "Abrame" tank began in 1980).
The main tank T-80 (object 219sp2) was the basic production version. The vehicle had a welded hull, basically similar in design to the hulls of the T-64A and T-72 tanks. Tower - cast, complex configuration. The 125-mm 2A46-1 gun was equipped with a heat-protective barrel cover, a hydroelectromechanical loading mechanism of the same type as on the T-64A tank, a coaxial PKT machine gun, an NSVT-12.7 Utyos anti-aircraft machine gun, and a TPD-2-rangefinder optical sight. 49, two-plane stabilizer 2E28M. In general, the early T-80 turret was largely unified with the T-64A turret (including aiming and observation devices, as well as the fire control system). The undercarriage had tracks with rubberized treadmills and RMSH, rubberized track and support rollers. The crew consisted of three people. Serial production of the tank was carried out at the Leningrad Kirov Plant from 1976 to 1978.
In 1978, a modification of the T-80B (object 219R) appeared, distinguished primarily by the presence of the 9K112-1 Kobra guided weapon system and the 1AZZ control system (1G42 laser rangefinder sight, 1V517 tank ballistic computer, 2E26M stabilizer, 1G43 shot resolution unit and a set sensors). The 2A46-2 cannon and the 902A Tucha smoke grenade launcher were mounted, and the turret armor was reinforced. Since 1980, the GTD-1000TF engine with a power of 1100 hp began to be installed. and a turret unified with the T-64B, since 1982 - the 2A46M-1 "Rapier-3" cannon. In 1984, the armor of the bow of the hull was reinforced by welding a 30 mm armor plate. The T-80B tank was also produced by the Kirov Plant in Leningrad. On its basis was created command tank T-80BK (object 630), produced by the Omsk Transport Engineering Plant
Simultaneously with the development of the T-80B, its diesel version was also designed - object 219RD with a 1000-horsepower A-53-2 diesel engine. This machine did not leave the prototype stage. In 1983, another prototype was created - object 219V, on which elements of the new Irtysh control system and the Reflex guided weapon system were tested.
In January 1985, a modification of the T-80BV (object 219RV) was adopted for service, which differed from the T-80B by installing a mounted dynamic protection kit on the turret and hull.
According to the arrangement of mechanisms and equipment inside, the T-80B tank is divided into three sections: control, combat and power.
The control compartment is located in the bow of the hull. It is limited on the right by a fuel tank and a tank rack, on the left - also by a fuel tank, a driver’s control panel and batteries with electrical equipment installed above them, at the back - by a loading mechanism conveyor (MZ). The driver's seat is located in the control compartment, in front of which on the bottom of the case were the steering control levers, the fuel supply pedal and the pedal of the adjustable nozzle apparatus. Observation devices TNPO-160 are mounted in the shaft of the upper inclined sheet of the hull. To drive a tank at night, instead of the central viewing device TNPO-160, a TVNE-4B night device is installed, which in the non-working position is in the stowage to the right of the driver's seat. Behind the seat in the bottom of the hull is an emergency exit hatch. In 1984, the attachment of the driver's seat to the beam was introduced instead of the attachment to the bottom.
The fighting compartment is located in the middle part of the tank and is formed by a combination of the hull and the turret. The turret has a 125 mm smoothbore gun. The hull contains a cabin docked with the tower. The cockpit is located MOH, which provides placement, transportation, filing and sending shots, as well as catching and placing extracted pallets. To the right of the gun is the seat of the tank commander, to the left - the gunner. There are seats and footrests for the commander and gunner, as well as removable guards that ensure their safety during the operation of the stabilizer, the MOH and when firing from a cannon. To the right of the cannon, a PKT machine gun coaxial with it, a TPU A-1 apparatus, a R-123M radio station (on later production tanks - R-173) and an MZ control panel are installed.
A commander's cupola with a hatch is mounted above the tank commander's seat in the turret. It has two TNPO-160 prism observation devices, a TKN-3 commander's observation device, and two TNPA-65 prism observation devices.
Behind the walls of the cabin there is an annular conveyor of the loading mechanism.
The power compartment is located in the aft part of the tank hull. It has a longitudinally mounted gas turbine engine. Output of power to the shafts of onboard gearboxes is carried out from both ends of the output gearbox of the engine. Each onboard gearbox is mounted in a block with a coaxial planetary final drive carrying the drive wheel.
The engine is assembled with other assembly units in the form of a monoblock, which includes: the engine and its oil tank, air cleaner, engine and transmission oil coolers, fuel filters, part of the thermal smoke equipment, BNK-12TD fuel priming pump, high pressure compressor AK-150SV with automatic pressure control, cooling and dust extraction fans, transmission oil pump, GS-18MO generator and GS-12TO starter.
Gas turbine engine GGD-1000TF with a power of 1100 hp made according to a three-shaft scheme with two mechanical independent turbochargers and a free turbine. The main components of the engine are low and high pressure centrifugal compressors, a combustion chamber, axial compressor turbines, an axial power turbine, an exhaust pipe, gearboxes and a gearbox.
The roof of the power compartment is removable and consists of a front fixed part and a rear lifting part, which is connected to the front part using hinges and a torsion bar. The roof opens with the effort of one person and is locked with a tie in the raised position. In the front part of the roof there are entrance blinds, closed from above with removable metal meshes.
Outside the tank, external fuel tanks are attached, included in the common fuel system, boxes with spare parts, towing cables, spare tracks, a bag with external launch wires, fuel transfer hoses, a log for self-pulling, brackets for installing additional fuel barrels, removable OPVT equipment, a covering tarpaulin, a driver's protective cap in a case and part of the ammunition load of an anti-aircraft machine gun.
The armament of the T-80B tank includes: 125 mm 2A46M-1 smoothbore gun; 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun PKT; 12.7 mm Utyos tank machine gun (NSVT-12.7); ammunition for cannon and machine guns; loading mechanism; fire control system 1AZZ; guided weapon system 9K112-1; night sight TPNZ-49.
The gun is installed in the tank turret on trunnions. The turret's embrasure is covered in front with armor, bolted to the cradle and covered with a cover from the outside. There is an embrasure seal inside the turret. The barrel of the gun consists of a pipe fastened in the chamber part with a casing; breech; couplings and a mechanism for blowing the bore. The part of the barrel outside the cradle and armor is covered with a thermal protective cover, which is designed to reduce the effect of adverse meteorological conditions on the bending of the pipe during firing. It consists of four sections, couplers, brackets, frames and fasteners.
The mass of the swinging part of the gun without armored mask and stabilizer is 2443 kg. Combat rate of fire - 6 - 8 rds / min. The range of a direct shot (at a target height of 2 m) with an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile is 2120 m.
Ammunition for the gun consists of 38 shots with armor-piercing sub-caliber, high-explosive fragmentation, cumulative and guided projectiles. Of these: 28 shots are placed in the MOH conveyor in any ratio; 7 - in the control compartment and 5 - in the fighting compartment.
The anti-aircraft machine gun mount is designed for firing at air and ground targets at ranges up to 2000 m and provides circular fire at machine gun pointing angles in the vertical plane from -5° to +75°. The installation is located on the commander's cupola. For firing from a machine gun, 12.7 mm caliber cartridges are used: armor-piercing incendiary B-32 and armor-piercing incendiary tracer BZT-44.
A feature of the design of the T-80B tank is the presence of a hydroelectromechanical complex of the mechanism for automatically loading the gun with any of the types of shots used.
The loading cycle begins with setting the ballistics switching lever to the position corresponding to the given type of shot, and pressing the MOH button on the rangefinder sight. At the same time, the executive engine of the hydraulic pump MZ is turned on. The lever of the feed mechanism is pressed into the lower position, the conveyor starts to rotate. When the tray with the selected type of shot approaches the loading line, the conveyor brakes and stops. Simultaneously with the rotation of the conveyor, the gun is stopped at the loading angle by a hydromechanical stopper - and the tray with the shot is fed to the chambering line. On the dispensing line, the tray is opened and the shot is sent to the gun chamber. The wedge of the gun breech is closed. A green index is displayed in the field of view of the sight, indicating that the gun is loaded. When the rammer chain returns, the pallet is transferred from the catcher to the empty tray. The lever of the feed mechanism returns the empty tray to the lower position, and the gun, unraveling, goes to a consistent position with the aiming line. The loading cycle is over, the gun is ready to fire a shot.
Due to the peculiarities of its design, the cassetteless loading mechanism of the T-80 and T-64 tanks was called the "Basket".
The fire control system (FCS) 1AZZ installed on the T-80B tank is designed to ensure effective fire from a cannon and a machine gun coaxial with it at enemy tanks and other armored targets moving at speeds up to 75 km / h, at small targets (bunkers, bunkers etc.) and in terms of manpower when firing from a place and on the move, at speeds up to 30 km / h, at ranges of actual fire of cannon and machine-gun weapons, both with a direct line of sight of targets through a rangefinder sight, and from closed firing positions. The 9K112-1 "Kobra" guided weapon system installed in the T-80B tank is designed to provide effective cannon fire with guided projectiles at enemy tanks and other armored targets moving at speeds up to 75 km/h, as well as for firing at small targets (bunkers, bunkers), etc., from a standstill and on the move, at speeds up to 30 km / h, at ranges up to 4000 m, subject to line of sight of the target through the 1G42 rangefinder sight.
The 9K112-1 complex is functionally connected with the 1AZZ control system. The complex provides:
The possibility of simultaneous firing of guided projectiles as part of a company of tanks at nearby targets, including firing from two tanks simultaneously at the same target (with an interval between firing tanks along the front of at least 30 m) when operating radio links at different letter frequencies and codes;
Shooting with guided projectiles in the range of vertical guidance angles from -7° to +11° and with a tank roll up to 15°, as well as firing over the water surface;
Possibility of firing at helicopters at ranges up to 4000 m if a helicopter is detected at a distance of at least 5000 m and at a target speed of up to 300 km/h and an altitude of up to 500 m.
The equipment of the complex is located in the fighting compartment of the tank in the form of separate removable blocks.
The 9K112-1 guided weapon system has a semi-automatic projectile control system using a modulated light source on the projectile and a radio command line.
Projectile control in flight is carried out automatically by a closed loop with the help of rudders. The task of the gunner when launching a projectile is to keep the aiming arch on the target during the entire time the projectile is flying to the target. The 9M112 projectile is equipped with sickle-shaped wings that create lift and give it rotary motion around the longitudinal axis.
T-80 tanks began to enter the troops in the late 1970s, primarily in the western military districts and foreign groups of troops. The strained thermal resource of the gas turbine complicated the use of these tanks in hot areas, so they did not get into the southern military districts.
The military liked the car. In the course of a strategic headquarters game according to the “big war” scenario, new tanks reached the Atlantic by the morning of the fifth day of the offensive (the T-80 headquarters received the nickname “English Channel tanks” for this). The T-80s showed their dynamic qualities more than once. The case was especially famous during one of the exercises of a group of Soviet troops in Germany, when the Eighty-Syatki, performing a detour maneuver, entered the highway near Berlin and swept along it, overtaking tourist buses. The favorable attitude in the units was also caused by the excellent starting qualities of the gas turbine engine, which was not afraid of any frost. In addition, the gas turbine engine provided the power reserve and mass savings required to increase protection against the ever more advanced anti-tank weapons that appeared on the battlefield.
The "eighties" were not exported and did not take part in the hostilities as part of the Soviet Army. Tanks T-80B and T-80BV were used Russian Army during the military operation in Chechnya in 1995-1996.
M. BARYATINSKY
"Model designer" No. 10 "2009