T 80 mass. The T-80 turned out to be a complete disaster. Engine and transmission

home The T-80 is the world's first production tank with a gas turbine engine capable of running on aviation kerosene, diesel fuel and regular gasoline. It entered service with the Soviet Army in 1976 and was four years ahead of the American "" with a similar power plant

. The development of a highly improved version of the tank was led by the design bureau of the Leningrad Kirov plant.

Tank T-80 - video Due to increased armor, the weight of the tank increased to 42 tons, but the GTD-1000T engine with a power of 1000 hp. With. provided the T-80 with a speed of 70 km/h. This was a record speed for combat vehicles with such mass. The design of the T-80 uses components from the T-64A tank: a 125-mm smoothbore gun with a hydroelectromechanical automatic loader, a TPD-2-49 optical rangefinder sight, ammunition, and armor protection elements. The gun is equipped with a heat-protective barrel casing. Borrowed from the new tank chassis
— due to the increase in the dynamic qualities of the machine, the road wheels became smaller in diameter, and the track treads were rubberized.

Similarly, in 1978, the tank received a Cobra guided weapons complex and a fire control system consisting of a 1G42 laser sight-rangefinder, a 1V517 ballistic computer, a 2E26M stabilizer and other elements. This made it possible to detonate high-explosive fragmentation shells at the most advantageous point of the trajectory. In addition, the complex ensured the destruction of enemy tanks with a Cobra guided missile at a range of 4 km with a probability of 80%. In 1985, many Soviet tanks received an additional letter B in their designation, which indicated the installation of a dynamic protection system on them. Many rectangular boxes covering the turret, hull and sides of the tank contained small charges of a special explosive

In the same year, the T-80U was put into serial production with the Reflex guided weapon system and the GTD-1250 engine with a power of 1250 hp. and improved multi-layer combined armor with built-in dynamic protection. The 2A46-M1 gun and the Irtysh weapon control system (1G46 laser sight-rangefinder, electronic ballistic computer, 2E42 stabilizer, etc.) increased the range of destruction of enemy tanks to 5 km.

Since 1987, the T-80UD began to be produced with a 6TD diesel engine with a capacity of 1000 hp. s. instead of a gas turbine. This tank was better suited for combat operations in the desert, where the air is saturated with dust. Early engines had a short service life in such conditions due to increased wear from exposure to sand dust.

The latest version of the tank was the T-80UM model of 1992, equipped with the Agava-2 thermal imaging surveillance and targeting device, a radio-absorbing coating, and a complex active protection"Arena" (T-80UM1). began to arrive in Western military districts and foreign groups of troops in the late 70s and did not take part in hostilities as part of the Soviet Army, but Russia used these tanks in the Chechen military conflict.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the T-80

Crew, people: 3
Layout scheme: classic
Developer: Kirovsky Zavod
Manufacturer: Omsktransmash, Malyshev Plant
Years of production: 1976-1998
Number of issued, pcs.: more than 10,000

T-80 weight

— T-80: 42.0
— T-80U: 46.0

Dimensions T-80

— Case length, mm: 6982
— Length with gun forward, mm: 9654
— Case width, mm: 3525
— Height, mm: 2193
— Ground clearance, mm: 450

T-80 armor

— Type of armor: rolled and cast steel and combined, projectile-proof
— Dynamic protection: Contact-1, Contact-5

T-80 armament

— Caliber and brand of gun: 125 mm 2A46-1
— Gun type: smoothbore gun
— Barrel length, calibers: 48
— Gun ammunition: T-80: 38; T-80U: 42
— Firing range, km: ATGM: 5.0; BOPS: 3.7
— Sights: optical sight-rangefinder TPD-2-49, periscopic night sight TPN-3-49
— Machine guns: 1 × 12.7 mm NSVT; 1 × 7.62 mm PKT

T-80 engine

— Engine type: GTD-1000T

Engine power, l. With.
— T-80: 1000
— T-80BV: 1100
— T-80U: 1250

Speed ​​T-80

— Highway speed, km/h: T-80: 65; T-80U: 70
— Speed ​​over rough terrain, km/h: T-80: 50; T-80U: 60

— Cruising range on the highway, km: 350
— Cruising range over rough terrain, km: 250
— Specific power, l. s./t: T-80: 23.5; T-80U: 27.1
— Suspension type: individual torsion bar
— Specific ground pressure, kg/cm²: 0.84
— Climbability, degrees: 32°
— Wall to be overcome, m: 1.0
— Overcoming ditch, m: 2.85
— Fordability, m: 1.2 (1.8 with preliminary preparation; 5.0 with OPVT)

Photo T-80

Main battle tank T-80- the world's first production tank with a gas turbine power plant. It was developed at SKB-2 LKZ since 1968 on the basis of the T-64A main tank. The Leningrad NPO named after. took part in the work on the new tank. V.Ya. Klimova, who was involved in the development of the engine. The tank was put into service on August 6, 1976. Mass production was carried out at LKZ (1976-1990), KhZTM (1985-1991) and OZTM (since 1985). Production of T-80 tanks has been completed. T-80 tanks began to enter service with the troops in the late 1970s, primarily in the western military districts and foreign groups of forces. The intense thermal resource of the gas turbine complicated the use of these tanks in zones with hot climates, so they were not delivered to the southern military districts.

According to the location of mechanisms and equipment inside the tank T-80 divided into three sections: management, combat and power. The control compartment is located in the bow of the hull. It contains the driver's seat, in front of which on the bottom of the body there are steering control levers, a fuel pedal and an adjustable nozzle pedal. Behind the seat in the bottom of the body there is an emergency exit hatch. In 1984, the driver's seat was mounted to the beam instead of mounted to the underbody.

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 is equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun. The body houses a cabin docked with the turret. In the cabin there is a loading mechanism (LM), which ensures the placement, transportation, feeding and dispensing of shots, as well as the capture and placement of extracted pallets. To the right of the gun is the tank commander's seat, and to the left is the gunner's seat. For the commander and gunner, there are seats and footrests, as well as removable guards that ensure their safety when operating the stabilizer, MZ, and when firing a cannon. To the right of the gun are installed a coaxial PKT machine gun, an R-123M radio station (on later production tanks - R-173) and an MZ control panel. Above the tank commander's seat in the turret there is a commander's cupola with a hatch.

Behind the walls of the cabin there is a ring conveyor of the loading mechanism. The power compartment is located in the rear of the tank hull. It has a gas turbine engine installed longitudinally. Power is output to the shafts of the onboard gearboxes from both ends of the engine output gearbox. Each onboard gearbox is mounted in a block with a coaxial planetary final drive, carrying the drive wheel.

Gas turbine engine GGD-1000T with a power of 1000 hp. made according to a three-shaft design with two mechanical independent turbochargers and a free turbine. The main components of the engine are low and high pressure centrifugal compressors, combustion chamber, axial compressor turbines, axial power turbine, exhaust pipe, drive boxes and 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 using hinges and a torsion bar. The roof opens with the effort of one person and is locked in the raised position with a tie. In the front part of the roof there are entrance blinds, closed at the top with removable metal mesh.

The turret houses the main armament of the tank - a 2A46-1 smoothbore 125-mm cannon, equipped with a 2E28M2 two-plane weapon stabilizer and a hydroelectromechanical automatic loader of approximately the same design as on the T-64 tank. The gun is mounted in the tank turret on axles. The front embrasure of the turret is covered with armor, bolted to the cradle and covered from the outside with a cover. The mass of the swinging part of the gun without an armored mask and stabilizer is 2443 kg. The ammunition consists of 40 rounds of separate cartridge loading with a partially burning cartridge case. Firing is carried out with high-explosive fragmentation, armor-piercing sub-caliber and cumulative shells. Direct shot range of a sub-caliber projectile with initial speed 1715 m/s against a “tank” type target is 2100 m. The rate of fire is 6-8 rounds/min, when loading manually it is reduced to 1-2 rounds/min.

To fire from a cannon, an optical stereoscopic sight-rangefinder TPD-2-49 is used. The sight has independent stabilization of the field of view in the vertical plane and allows you to accurately determine the range to the target within the range of 1000-4000 m. Data on the range to the target is automatically entered into the sight. Corrections for the speed of the tank and data on the type of selected ammunition are also automatically introduced. For shooting at night, the TPN-1-49-23 sight is used.

Auxiliary weapons consist of a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun coaxial with a cannon and a 12.7 mm NSVT machine gun in an open anti-aircraft machine gun mount. The ZPU is designed for firing at air and ground targets at ranges up to 2000 m. The installation provides all-round fire at machine gun pointing angles in the vertical plane from -5" to +75". Installation placed on commander's turret. For firing a machine gun, 12.7 mm caliber cartridges are used: armor-piercing incendiary B-32 and armor-piercing incendiary tracer BZT-44.

The caterpillar propulsion system consists of tracks with a rubber-coated treadmill and RMSH, support rollers with rubber tires and support rollers with external shock absorption, all-metal guide wheels and drive wheels, and worm-type tensioning mechanisms. Suspension - individual, torsion bar, with non-coaxial arrangement of torsion bar shafts, with hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers on 1, 2 and 6 suspension units.

Modifications
T-80(object 219sp2) - basic option. Combat weight 42 tons. Crew 3 people. Serial production at LKZs 1976 to 1978

T-80B(object 219R, 1978) - 9K112-1 “Cobra” guided weapon complex and 1A33 fire control system (1G42 laser sight-rangefinder, 1V517 tank ballistic computer, 2E26M stabilizer, 1G43 shot resolution unit and a set of sensors), 2A46-2 gun, smoke grenade launch system 902A “Tucha”. The tower's armor has been strengthened. since 1980 - GGD-1000TF engine with a power of 1100 hp. and a turret unified with the T-64B, since 1982 - a 2A46M-1 "Rapira-3" cannon.

T-80BV(1985) - T-80B with a set of mounted dynamic protection installed on the turret and hull.

T-80U(object 219AS, 1985) - 9K119 “Reflex” guided weapons complex and 1A45 “Irtysh” weapon control complex (1G46 laser sight-rangefinder, electronic ballistic computer, 2E42 stabilizer, TPN-4S commander’s sighting and observation complex, combined active- passive night sight TPN-4 "Buran-PA"), 2A46-M1 cannon, 45 rounds of ammunition (of which 28 are in the loading mechanism), improved multi-layer combined armor with built-in dynamic protection, 902B smoke grenade launch system, 3ETs13 "Iney" PPO system, built-in self-excavation equipment, mounted track trawl KMT-6. Since 1990 - GTD-1250 engine with a power of 1250 hp, 9K119M guided weapon system. Combat weight 46 tons.

T-80UD(object 478B "Beryza", 1987) - 6-cylinder two-stroke turbopiston diesel 6TD with a power of 1000 hp, anti-aircraft machine gun installation with remote control. Since 1988 - built-in dynamic protection.

T-80UM(1992) - thermal imaging observation and targeting device "Agava-2". radio-absorbing coating, radio station R-163-50U.

T-80UK- command version of the T-80UM. System for remote detonation of high-explosive fragmentation shells with an electronic remote contact fuse, optical-electronic suppression complex "Shtora-2", radio stations R-163-U and R-163-K, navigation system TNA-4 and autonomous power generator AB-1- P28.

According to data announced by the Soviet side at the Vienna negotiations on the limitation of conventional weapons in Europe, in 1990 European territory USSR, as well as in units stationed in Eastern Europe, there were 4839 T-80 tanks of all modifications. After the collapse of the USSR, almost all of them ended up on the territory of Russia and Ukraine, while the production of the T-80UD, carried out in Kharkov, also ended up abroad. Their production continued in Ukraine under the designation, mainly for export. In 1996, a contract was signed for the supply of 320 such machines to Pakistan. At the same time, 175 tanks were manufactured again, and 145 were sent from the Ukrainian armed forces.

Rosoboronexport also actively offered T-80U tanks for export. The Cyprus Army has 41 fighting machine of this type (contract value $175 million). The South Korean army was supplied with 80 T-80U tanks to pay off the Russian debt to this country. In both cases, supplies were made from the availability of the Russian Armed Forces.

As part of the Soviet Army T-80 did not take part in the hostilities. T-80B and T-80BV tanks were used Russian Army during military operation in Chechnya in 1995-1996. During the second Chechen campaign, T-80 tanks did not take part in hostilities.

As of January 1, 2010, T-80 tanks various modifications are in service in Belarus (92), Cyprus (41). Pakistan (320), Russia (4500, status unclear), Ukraine (271) and South Korea (80).

TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE T-80B TANK
COMBAT WEIGHT, t: 42.5.
CREW, people: 3.
OVERALL DIMENSIONS, mm: length - 9651, width - 3582, height (on the tower roof) - 2219, ground clearance (on the main bottom) - 451.
ARMAMENT: 1 2A46M-1 cannon, 125 mm caliber. 1 PKT machine gun 7.62 mm caliber, 1 NSVT anti-aircraft machine gun 12.7 mm caliber, 8 launchers 81 mm caliber for launching smoke grenades.
AMMUNITION: 38 rounds, 300 rounds of 12.7 mm caliber, 1250 rounds of 7.62 mm caliber.
AUTOMATIC LOADER: hydroelectromechanical, with a constant loading angle.
WEAPONS STABILIZER: two-plane electro-hydraulic 2E26M.
GUIDED WEAPONS COMPLEX: 9K112-1 Cobra, with TUR 9M112 with radio control and optical feedback. AIMING DEVICES: laser rangefinder 1G42, periscope night sight TPN-3-49.
RESERVATION, mm: combined projectile protection.
ENGINE: GTD-1000TF, made according to a three-shaft design with two mechanical independent turbochargers and a free power turbine; power 1100 hp (809 kW).
TRANSMISSION: mechanical, planetary; consists of two units, each of which includes an onboard gearbox, a final drive and hydraulic servos of the motion control system.
CHASSIS: six double rubber-coated support rollers on board, five single rubber-coated support rollers, rear drive wheel with removable ring gears (lantern engagement), guide wheel; Individual torsion bar suspension. hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers on the suspensions of the 1st, 2nd and 6th track rollers; each caterpillar has 80 tracks.
MAX. SPEED, km/h: 70.
POWER RESERVE, km: 600.
OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME: ascent angle, degrees. - 32; ditch width, m - 2.85; wall height, m ​​- 1, ford depth, m - 1.2 (with OPVT - 5 m).
COMMUNICATIONS: radio station R-123M. intercom R-124.

T-80 is shining example that heavily armored tanks can hide significant weaknesses. At one time, the T-80 was considered by the Russian military establishment as a premium tank, but a large number of them were lost in battles with equipped light weapons partisan formations during the first Chechen war. His reputation was lost forever.

However, it was initially assumed that a completely different fate would await him. The T-80 tank was the last main tank developed in the Soviet Union. This was the first soviet tank, equipped with a gas turbine engine, and as a result it was able to travel on roads at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour, and also had an effective power/weight ratio of 25.8 horsepower per ton.

This made the standard T-80B tank the fastest tank produced in the 1980s.

The Chechens' fighting prowess - and failed Russian tactics - are more to blame for the loss of T-80 tanks than its own performance. However, it had a significant drawback. Ultimately, the T-80 turned out to be too expensive and, in addition, it consumed too much fuel. After some time, the Russian military opted for 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 tank represented a departure from the Soviet penchant for producing simple armored vehicles such as the T-54/55 and T-62.

For example, the T-64 was the first Soviet tank in which the loader functions were transferred to an automatic system, and as a result its crew was reduced from four to three people. The T-64's second trend-setting innovation was the use of composite armor, which used layers of ceramic and steel, resulting in increased protection compared to steel plates alone.

In addition, the T-64 was equipped with lightweight steel road wheels of small diameter, compared to the large rubber-coated rollers of the T-55 and T-62.

The first model, the T-64A, launched into mass production, was produced with a 125-mm 2A46 Rapier cannon, which became so popular that it was installed on all subsequent Russian tanks - up to the T-90. What's surprising is that the T-64A ended up weighing only 37 tons, which is relatively light for a tank of its size.

But no matter how wonderful such innovations were, it must be recognized that the T-64 had a capricious 5TDF engine and an unusual suspension - and the engine and suspension often broke down. As a result, the Soviet Army deliberately sent these tanks to areas located near the Kharkov plant where they were manufactured.

But that's not all. There were rumors that the new automatic loading system was capable of sucking in and crippling the hands of crew members positioned too close to it. This is a very likely scenario, given the small internal space of the T-64 tank.

At the same time as they were trying to overcome the automation problems of the T-64, the Soviets began to think about developing a new tank with an engine equipped with a gas turbine. Gas turbine engines have high acceleration and have a good power/weight ratio, they are able to start quickly in winter without preheating - this is important in the harsh Russian winters - and, in addition, they are lightweight.

On the downside, they consume a lot of fuel and are more sensitive to dirt and dust, which is a result of their increased air intake compared to conventional diesel engines.

The original basic model of the T-80 tank was adopted only in 1976 - much later than planned. The Soviet tank industry was busy correcting the shortcomings of the T-64 tanks and moving toward production of the T-72, which provided a cheaper backup option. At the same time, the Soviets were producing more T-55 and T-62 tanks for their Arab allies, who had lost hundreds of armored vehicles during the war. doomsday in 1973.

Early T-80 models also had their problems. In November 1975, then-Minister of Defense Andrei Grechko stopped further production of these tanks due to their excessive fuel consumption and a slight increase in firepower compared to the T-64A. And only five months later, Dmitry Ustinov, Grechko’s successor, allowed production of this new tank to begin.

Production of the original T-80 model lasted two years - not so long, since it was surpassed by the T-64B tank, which had new system fire control, which allowed him to fire 9M112 Cobra missiles from the main gun. Even more important was that the T-80 was almost three and a half times more expensive than the T-64A.

The main model was replaced in 1978 by the T-80B tank. It was considered the most modern "premium" tank in the East, and therefore most of T-80B was sent to the highest risk garrison - To the Group Soviet troops in Germany.

For my high speed it was nicknamed the "Channel Tank". In Soviet war games, it was generally accepted that T-80s were capable of reaching the shores Atlantic Ocean in five days - provided that they do not experience problems with fuel.

The new Soviet tank borrowed something from the T-64. In addition to sub-caliber ammunition, shaped charges and anti-personnel fragmentation shells, its 125 mm 2A46M-1 smoothbore gun was capable of firing the same 9K112 Cobra missiles.

Since guided anti-tank missiles were considered significantly more expensive than conventional ones tank shells, the ammunition load of this tank included only four missiles and 38 shells. The missiles were designed to shoot down helicopters and hit installations equipped with ATGM systems beyond the firing range conventional shells T-80B tank.

A 7.62-mm PKT machine gun and a 12.7-mm NSVT “Utes” coaxial with a cannon on commander's tower completed the anti-personnel armament of this tank.

While the T-80 already boasted modern composite armor, it was further protected by dynamic system"Contact-1". Equipped with active armor at the same horizontal levels as latest models T-72A, T-80 tanks began to be designated as T-80BV.

In 1987, instead of the T-80B, the T-80U began to be produced, although in terms of total quantity they did not surpass their predecessors.

The T-80U tank was equipped with the Kontakt-5 dynamic protection system. It was an improved version of the Contact-1 system, which consisted of additionally installed containers with explosives. Whereas the Kontakt-5 system had a set of factory-made outward-facing containers to maximize the angle of reflection of projectiles. The Kontakt-1 system was effective only in the case of the use of cumulative projectiles, while the Kontakt-5 system also protected against kinetic energy sub-caliber ammunition.

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, a more reliable weapon with a longer range and greater destructive power. The T-80 tank was packed with seven more shells for the 125mm gun than the T-80B.

However, the T-80U tank was not produced for long. Its GTD-1250 powerplant still consumed too much fuel and was difficult to maintain. Instead, they began to produce the diesel model T-80UD. This was the last version of the T-80 tank produced in the Soviet Union. It was also the first model to be seen in action outside training center... if by the expression “in action” we mean shelling from a tank gun Russian Parliament in October 1993 during the constitutional crisis.

In December 1994, the war against the separatists in Chechnya was the first time the T-80 was used in a situation where shells were flying in both directions... and it was a disaster of epic proportions for the T-80.

When the 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 had no special training on T-80 tanks. They did not know about its gluttony and sometimes completely burned the fuel supply while idling.

The advance of the Russian armed forces towards the Chechen capital, Grozny, was more like a bloodbath staged for the interventionists - about a thousand soldiers were killed and 200 pieces of equipment were destroyed between December 31, 1994 and the evening next day. The most modern Russian tanks T-80B and T-80BV as part of the Russian strike group suffered terrible losses.

Although the T-80s were protected from direct frontal hits, many tanks were destroyed in catastrophic explosions, and their turrets flew off after numerous salvos fired by the Chechen rebels from RPG-7V and RPG-18 grenade launchers.

It turned out that the T-80 "Basket" loading system had a fatal design flaw. In the automatic loading system, the finished projectiles were in a vertical arrangement, and only the support rollers partially protected them. An RPG shot fired from the side and aimed above the road wheels caused the detonation of the ammunition and led to the collapse of the turret.

In this regard, the T-72A and T-72B were similarly penalized, but they had a slightly greater likelihood of survival if flanked because their automatic loading system used a horizontal ammunition arrangement that was below the level of the road wheels.

The second main drawback of the T-80, like the previous ones Russian tanks, was associated with minimum levels of vertical guidance of the gun. It was impossible to fire a gun at the rebels who were firing from the upper floors of buildings or from basements.

In fairness, it should be said that the most likely reason for the large losses was poor crew training, insufficient training and disastrous tactics. Russia was in such a hurry to start fighting that the T-80BV tanks entered Grozny without filling the dynamic protection containers with explosives, which made it useless. It was even said that the soldiers sold explosives in order to increase their income.

Soviet army I have long forgotten about the hard lessons of urban warfare during the Second World War. During cold war only special forces units and the Berlin garrison were trained for urban combat. Without expecting significant resistance, Russian troops entered Grozny, and at the same time the soldiers were in infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers. Their commanders became disorientated because they did not have the right maps.

Because the Russian soldiers their Chechen opponents didn’t really want to get out of their armored personnel carriers and clear the buildings room by room - they knew their weaknesses Russian armored vehicles, since they served in the army during the Soviet Union, they had the opportunity to turn tanks and armored vehicles into crematoria.

It is easy for the Russian command to blame the Chechen disaster on design errors in the creation of the T-80 and not pay attention to crude operational planning and tactical miscalculations. But ultimately it was a lack of money that caused the cheaper T-72 to replace the T-80 as the preferred choice for Russian exports and for the war effort after the Chechen war.

When it fell apart Soviet Union, Russia lost the plant in Kharkov, which became the property of Ukraine. The Omsk plant where the T-80U was produced went bankrupt, while the Leningrad LKZ no longer produced the earlier T-80BV model.

It no longer made financial or logistical sense for Russia to have three types of tanks - T-72 (A and B), T-80 (BV. U and UD) and T-90. All these models had one 125-mm 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 common capabilities, but differed in spare parts, instead of having common spare parts and different capabilities. Since the T-80U was much more expensive than the T-72B, it was logical that cash-strapped Russia would choose the T-72.

However, Moscow continued to experiment with the T-80 - experts added an active protection system, which used millimeter-wave radar to track incoming missiles even before the active protection system was activated. As a result, the T-80UM-1 Bars appeared in 1997, but it was not put into production, probably due to budget restrictions.

Russia did not use the T-80 in the second Chechen war in 1999-2000 and did not use them during the short conflict with Georgia in 2008 - as far as we know. So far, T-80 tanks have not participated in the war in Ukraine.

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

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

In Kharkov, in 1963, a modification of the T-64 tank was created, on which a gas turbine engine was installed, but this tank did not go into production. Despite all the advantages of the gas turbine engine, there were also problems that could not be solved in the 60s. The main difficulty in using a gas turbine power plant was cleaning the air from dust. While an airplane turbine encounters this problem only during landing and takeoff, a tank engine operates under completely different conditions and a tank column often travels in a continuous cloud of dust. The gas turbine engine also had higher fuel consumption than traditional engines. In the 50-70s of the last century, numerous drawings of tanks with gas turbine engines were created, but most of them remained at the project stage.

In 1969, the Kirov plant began developing a new tank, on which a gas turbine engine was installed. The tank was developed on the basis of the T-64, but after the first tests it became clear that the tank's drawings required significant changes. First of all, this applied to the chassis of the car. It took seven years to work through all the changes, and in 1976 the main tank T 80 was put into service. This tank was in service with the USSR army for more than 20 years, and is now the main battle tank of the Russian armed forces. This vehicle went through many conflicts and wars, and was used during the CTO in Chechnya.

T-80 battle tank. Description

Like any other Soviet tank, the main T 80 tank had a classic layout, with a crew of three placed inside it. The weight of the vehicle was 42 tons, the frontal parts of the tank were made of multi-layer armor. This made it possible to increase the tank's protection without increasing the thickness of the armor or adding extra weight. The tank engine had special system air purification from dust, which made it possible to retain 97% of dust particles. The use of GPA has made it possible to significantly increase specifications new tank, the speed and maneuverability of the vehicle has seriously increased.

One of the positive features of vehicles with gas turbine engines is their “indiscriminateness” regarding fuel; gasoline, aviation kerosene, diesel and other types of fuel can be used to refuel the T-80. Fuel consumption is relatively low. The internal structure of the tank and the conditions for the crew are well thought out - driving the tank is very easy and comfortable.

The tank is armed with a 125-mm smoothbore cannon (firing range up to 5 km), the ammunition load includes 40 shells (later modifications have 38 and 45 shells), both sub-caliber and cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation. Later modifications of the vehicle were able to fire Cobra and Reflex missiles (firing range 4 and 5 km). The armament kit also includes an anti-aircraft machine gun and a PKT (7.62 mm).

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

Modifications T-80U and T-80UD are the most advanced versions of this tank. The T-80U was created in 1985 in Leningrad, and the T-80UD in 1987 in Kharkov. And the T-80U-M1 “Bars” was already created in Russia, after the collapse of the USSR. These vehicles received the most advanced fire control system, and their protection was improved (by increasing the thickness of the armor and installing dynamic protection). At the same time, the weight of the car increased slightly. The T-80UD features a more powerful engine (diesel 1000 hp), a new turret with more advanced armor and an improved fire control system. The ammunition load was increased.

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

T-80U-M1 "Bars"

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

The creators of the Russian "Bars" aimed to improve the tank's protection, increase its maneuverability and provide it with a lighter and more advanced weapon system. The aiming systems and crew visibility have also been significantly improved. The tank weighs 47 tons. The layout is classic. The tank can fire guided missiles with a firing range of up to 5 km. The ammunition consists of different types shells.

The Russian "Bars" is equipped with the same reliable and proven 125-mm 2A46M cannon (firing range up to 5 km), ammunition capacity - 45 rounds. The rigidity of the barrel was increased and this improved shooting accuracy. The fire control system installed on the tank takes into account many characteristics: range to the target, its speed, the speed of the tank itself, wind strength, charge temperature. All this significantly improves shooting accuracy and allows you to send a projectile exactly to the target. The control system allows the tank commander to shoot as well. T-80U-M1 gives great review

for all crew members. You can install a night sight or thermal imager on the tank. The thickness of the armor has been increased, with a slight increase in the mass of the tank.

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

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

This tank is equipped with an engine with a maximum power of 1250 hp. His power density 27.2 hp/t, which is a record. It’s not for nothing that the Bars is called a “flying tank”; it is distinguished by excellent speed and maneuverability. Below is a description of the T-80U-M1 tank. The engine management system can significantly reduce fuel consumption.

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

At the same time, the Russian “Bars” is easy to operate, the device fighting compartment extremely thoughtful and convenient. For this tank, Russian specialists developed unique system air conditioning makes driving cars easy and convenient. We can say that the Russian tank T-80U-M1 is the best of all modifications of this vehicle.

Video about the T-80 tank

T-80U-M1 "Bars"

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

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The T-80 is a Soviet main battle tank. It became the world's first production tank with a single gas turbine power plant. It was and is still in service with a number of countries.

History of the T-80

In 1969, on the basis of the experimental Kharkov gas turbine T-64T, a new gas turbine tank was built - “Object 219 sp1”. After eliminating the shortcomings, the tank was renamed “Object 219 sp 2”, and new model was already significantly different from the 64 - the tank's chassis was seriously changed, as the dynamic characteristics of the vehicle changed. The shape of the tower has also undergone changes. New tank received the name T-80 and was soon put into service.

Performance characteristics (TTX)

general information

• Classification - main battle tank;
• Combat weight - 42 tons;
• The layout is classic;
• Crew – 3 people;
• Years of operation: since 1976;
• The number of units produced is more than 10 thousand pieces.

Dimensions

• Case length – 6982 mm;
• Length with gun forward – 9654 mm;
• Case width – 3525 mm;
• Height – 2193 mm;
• Ground clearance – 450 mm.

Booking

• Type of armor - rolled and cast steel and combined, projectile-resistant;
• Dynamic protection - Contact-1, Contact-5.

Armament

• Caliber and brand of gun - 125 mm 2A46-1;
• Gun type: smoothbore gun;
• Barrel length - 48 calibers;
• Gun ammunition - 38;
• HV angles: -5…+14°;
• Firing range – 3.7-5 km;
• Sights - optical rangefinder sight TPD-2-49, periscope night sight TPN-3-49;
• Machine guns - 1 × 12.7 mm NSVT, 1 × 7.62 mm PKT.

Mobility

• Engine type and brand – GTD-1000T air-cooled gas turbine;
• Engine power – 1000 hp;
• Highway speed – 65 km/h;
• Speed ​​over rough terrain – 50 km/h;
• Cruising range on the highway – 350 km;
• Cruising range over rough terrain – 250 km;
• Suspension type: individual torsion bar;
• Specific ground pressure – 0.84 kg/cm²;
• Climbability – 32 degrees;
• The wall to be overcome is 1 m;
• The ditch to be overcome is 2.85 m;
• The fordability is 1.2 m.

T-80 modifications

• T-80A, developed in the mid-1970s;
• T-80U – modification with various technical improvements;
• T-80UK – command version of the tank with additional radio stations, navigation system and sensors;
• T-80UE - modification designed in 1995 for the Greek tender;
• T-80UM1 "Bars", a relatively new modification (1997). It featured an improved engine, air conditioning system, new gun and installed complexes and systems;
• T-80B, entered service in 1978;
• T-80UD, "Birch", with an anti-aircraft machine gun mount and a diesel engine;

There were also a number of Ukrainian modernizations of this tank.

Use in combat

• On October 4, 1993, it was T-80UD tanks that fired at the building of the Supreme Council Russian Federation during the White House Shooting;
• In 1994-1996, T-80s took part in the First Chechen War, for example, during the assault on Grozny;
• At the beginning of 2015, several T-80BVs were used by government forces in the armed conflict in Yemen. One T-80 was destroyed and another was captured by the rebels;
• In 2015, in eastern Ukraine, a zone of armed conflict, many unmarked T-80s were reported in rebel territory.

Memory of a tank

Today the T-80 can be seen in many museums around the world:

• In the village of Arkhangelskoye, in the Vadim Zadorozhny Museum of Technology;
• In Bryansk, in Memorial complex"Partisan Glade";
• In Verkhnyaya Pyshma, in the Museum military equipment « Battle glory Ural";
• In the Armored Museum in Kubinka;
• In St. Petersburg, in Military History Museum artillery, engineering troops and signal troops;
• In the T-34 history museum;
• In the Ukrainian Museum of the Great Patriotic War.

Also, the T-80 is installed on a pedestal in many cities of Russia: In Kazan, in Moscow and the Moscow region, in Kostroma, in St. Petersburg and in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.