CIS
T-80U Series The T-80U and its variants are the latest derivatives of the T-80 series MET family. The tank is armed with a 125 mm 2A46M1 smoothbore gun that fores HEAT, APFSDS, HE-Frag ammunition and the AT-11 'Sniper' ATGW (the longer range 9M119 Refleks version rather than the 9M119 Svir). The gun is fitted with a carousel type automatic-loader carrying 28 rounds. The rest of the 45-round total ammunition load is carried in the hull and turret. The gun is fitted with a dual-axis stabilisation system that uses an electromechanical drive for traverse and a hydraulic drive for elevation. The 1A45 integrated computer fire-control system uses a semi-automatic laser guidance beam unit to allow daytime ATGW target engagements, whilst the launch platform is stationary, of between 100 to
5000 metres. A coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun is fitted as is a turret roof mounted 12.7 mm NSVT air defence machine gun. The tank is provided with a snorkel for deep fording and attachment points for mineclearing equipment. The T-80U family can be fitted with the TShUl-7 Shtora optronic jarnrning system to confuse enemy ATGW systems. The Shtora has two optronic infra-red illuminators that produce spurious IR coded pulse signals to jam the IR guidance of enemy ATGW. For use against laser-seekers or designators a grenade launched aerosol cloud generating system is fitted that fires the 3D 17 Tucha (cloud) screening grenade. Available details of variants are: T-80U-first seen 1985. It is fitted with improved armour protection over the
T-80B series, an updated main gun and a computerised fire-control system. Initial production lots were powered by the GTD-1000TF 1100 hp gas turbine which was replaced in the latter production vehicles by the GTD-1250 gas turbine model developing 1250 hp. Other information as given in main text. T-80UD-first seen 1988 and has the gas turbine of the T-80U replaced by the 6TF diesel engine developing 1100 hp, a new transmission and enhanced armour protection. T-80UK-command tank version of the T-80 with additional radio equipment including an 11 m telescopic antenna mast, a land navigation system and internal system upgrades. A reduced total of 30 rounds of ammunition are carried including 6 ATGW. Combat weight is 46 OOP kg.
