T-80 Tank

The T-80 tank is a Russian main battle tank, which was developed from the T-64. Manufactured by the State-owned Leningrad Kirov Plant, it entered service with the Soviet Army in 1976, during the Cold War. This tank is armed with a 125mm 2A46-2 smooth-bore cannon, anti-tank missiles, and machine guns. It has been produced since 1975 in four main variants: the T-80, which was the initial production batch; the T-80B (1978), which was fitted with a new turret, fire-control system, and auto-loader that allowed the firing of 9M112-1 Kobra antitank guided missile; T-80BV (1982), with a better armored turret; T-80U (1985), with explosive reactive armor, gunsight, and 9K119 Refleks missile system.

Below, four types of combat shells fired by its 125mm gun. From right to left: APFSDS, HE-fragmentation, HEAT, and the Reflex missile.

What made the Russians develop the T-80U was the First Chechen War, where several T-80BV tanks were destroyed by RPG-7 rockets in the ferocious urban battle of Grozny. This event led to the improvement of its armor and a more powerful engine. It is powered by a GTD-1250 gasturbine engine, delivering 1250 horsepower. The armor of the T-80 tank is made of composite armor on the turret and hull, while rubber flaps and sideskirts protect the sides and lower hull. However, the T-80U model use explosive reactive armor and stronger composite armor. Other protection systems include the Shtora-1 and Arena APS, as well as the discontinued Drozd APS.

According to data published in Russia, 2,256 T-80 tanks were deployed in East Germany between 1986 and 1987. Since NATO realized that new Soviet tanks could reach the Atlantic within two weeks, the United States began to develop counter methods that could stop them. This led to a sudden increase in development of anti-tank weapons which included attack helicopters. By 1991, when the Soviet Union was breaking up, the Soviet Army operated 4,839 T-80 main battle tanks in different versions.

Specifications (T-80U)

Type: main battle tank
Weight: 43 tons
Width: 3.6 m (11ft 9.9in)
Length: 7 m (23ft) without the gun
Height: 2.2 m (7ft 2.7in)
Crew: 3 (commander, driver, gunner)
Engine: one 1250hp, GTD-1250 gasturbine engine
Maximum speed: 70 km/h (43mph)
Range: 440 km (270mi)
Weapons: one 125mm 2A46-2 smooth bore gune; one 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun; one 12.7mm PKT anti-aircraft machine gun; six 9M119 Refleks ATGM anti-tank missiles

Below, the T-80U variant, whose gas turbine generated great power. Russia has about 650 T-80U and T-80BV in active service and about 3,000 in store.

Below, a picture of the T-80U taken in the early 1990s. It was the fastest tank in the Cold War period, because it was fitted with a powerful gasturbine engine.