T-90 Series, CIS

T-80U Series CIS

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.

T-80UM- first seen in 1991 -92 and features a new computerised fire control system, new deep fording equipment and gunner's thermal imaging sight systems. It is fitted with the 1250 hp gas turbine.

Chinese T~80UMBTs on patrol. Specification

First prototype: 1983-84 First production: 1985 - current Current users: China, Cyprus, South Korea, Pakistan (from the Ukraine), Russia and the CIS

Crew: 3

Combat weight; 46 000 kg Ground pressure: 0.92 kg/cm2

Length, gun forwards: 9.65 m Width (with side skirts): 3.60 m Height (without AA gun): 2.2m Ground clearance: 0.45 m

Max. road speed: 70 km/h

Maximum range (with external tanks):

450km Fording: prepared 1.8m; with snorkel 5 m

Gradient: 60% Side slope: 40% Vertical obstacle: 1 m Trench: 2.85 m

Powerpack: T-80U/T-80UM; GTD-1250 Multi-fuel gas turbine developing 1250 hp coupled to a manual transmission; T-80UD; multi-fuel 6TF diesel developing 1100 hp coupled to a manual transmission Armament: (main) 1x125 mm gun (33 rounds + 6 ATGW); (coaxial) 1 x 7.62 mm MG; (anti-aircraft) 1 x 12.7 mm MG; (smoke dischargers) 2 x 6; 1 x Shtora IR/laser ATGW jamming system.