tanks/vehicles T-80B & T-80BV - The Turbine tank(s) - USSR

[kev2go 5,112]

These Suggestions are to propose a Direct Successor to the T-64B for a future update. The T80 Tank was the first produced Tank To be fitted with a Gas Turbine Engine to enter service, Preceding that of the M1 Abrams when going by very initial service date.

 

T-80B ( model 1983) 

 

 

This is a T-80B Model 1983 was produced up until 1984 ( albeit not limited to new produced units and Plte was installed on older T80B productions) .  Compared to the  initial  T- 80B 1978 production model has wellded on  30mm Steel plate to bolster protection levels atop the Main Glaics. Same FCS as T-64B with Main  Hull array  and turret protection similar in layout to the T-72A. mod 1983. BY this point the T80B is also using the same engine that would see use on the T80BV ; The  GTD 1000TF rated 1100 HP  which replaced the earlier GTD 1000T  rated for 1000 HP. ( which saw Use on T80 and initial T80B model) 

 

 

 

 

 

T-80BV ( model 1985)

 

 

 

 

T-80BV ( model 1985) is a T-80B with a new 5 layer hull array,  with re-positioned smoke discharges  ( to make room  on the turret for ERA) upgraded with Kontact 1 Layer on turret and Hull.

 

 

 

The T-80BV  series would be similar  in Hull Array but modestly improved Hull protection and sported the same FCS as respective T-64BV model  but of course with Gas turbine engines with much higher Horsepower.  The GT1000TF Engine produced 1,100 Horsepower. There fore in short the T-80B would essentially be be a T-64B with modestly improved Hull armor, greater mobility as well as better ammo options for potential future contemporary like the M1A1.

 

T-80B  ( Mod 83) - General Characteristics 

 

Weight - 42.2 metric Tons

Length: 9.65m ( 31.7 ft)

Height : 2.21 (11.7ft)

Clearance : 0.45 (1.5ft)

Engine: GTD-1000TF gas- Turbine; 1,100HP

Fuel Stowage 1,840 liters (486 Gal)

Power to weight Ratio : 25.90 HP/Ton

Maximum Speed : 70 km/h ( 43.5mph)

Range: 335-370 km  ( 210-230 miles)

Turret Armor : Cast steel armor shell , cavity with Cercamic Rods in front quadrants, Kontact 1 ERA

Hull Armor : Rolled Steel Plate with plexiglass reinforced plastic laiminate , second steel layer

Crew: 3 ( commander , gunner, driver)

Main Gun : 125mm 2a46M-1 smoothbore, 

Rate of Fire (ROF)  :  7.1 - 7.5 seconds per round.

Ammuntion stowage : 38 main gun rounds

Missile Capability : 9k112-1 Kobra AGTM 

Anti Aircraft MG: 12.7mm NSVT ( 300 rounds)

Co-axial MG : 7.62mm PKT ( 1,250 rounds)

Fire control System : 1A33 with 1G42 sight/ KTD1 Laser rangefinder with 1V517 Ballistic Computer

Gunners Night Sight: TPN-3-49

Gun Stabilization : 2E26M

 

 

 

 T-80BV- General Characteristics

 

Weight ; 43.7 metric tons 

Length: 9.65m ( 31.7 ft)

Height : 2.21 (11.7ft)

Clearance : 0.45 (1.5ft)

Engine: GTD-1000TF gas- Turbine; 1,100HP

Fuel Stowage 1,840 liters (486 Gal)

Power to weight Ratio : 25.17HP/ Ton

Maximum Speed : 70 km/h ( 43.5mph)

Range: 335-370 km  ( 210-230 miles)

Turret Armor : Cast steel armor shell , cavity with Cercamic Rods in front quadrants, Kontact 1 ERA

Hull Armor : Rolled Steel Plate followed by plexiglass reinforced plastic laiminate layers  &  Steel  plate layers.

Crew: 3 ( commander , gunner, driver)

Main Gun : 125mm 2a46M-1 smoothbore, 

Rate of Fire (ROF)  :  7.1 - 7.5 seconds per round.

Ammuntion stowage : 38 main gun rounds

Missile Capability : 9k112-1 Kobra AGTM 

Anti Aircraft MG: 12.7mm NSVT ( 300 rounds)

Co-axial MG : 7.62mm PKT ( 1,250 rounds)

Fire control System : 1A33 with 1G42 sight/ KTD1 Laser rangefinder with 1V517 Ballistic Computer

Gunners Night Sight: TPN-3-49

Gun Stabilization : 2E26M

 

 

 

Ammunition (suggested) : 3BM26 APFSDS , 3BM29 APFSDS, 3BM32 APFSDS,  3BK18M HEATFS, 3BK21M HEATFS, OF26 HE,  9K112-1 Kobra AGTM

 

Armor layout  T-80B model 1983

 

Hull: Applique +  3 layers

 

16mm RHA Applique plate - 60mm RHA - 105mm STEF - 45mm  RHA

 

Hull estimate : 450- 547mm Protection vs KE & 500 -530mm vs CE

 

T-80BV Armor layout:

 

Hull: 5 layers

 

50mm RHA  - 35mm  STEF - 50mm RHA - 35mm STEF- 50mm RHA

 

Hull Armor estimates :  480mm- 587mm protection vs KE,  & 500- 575mm vs CE

 

Turret :  ( applies to both T-80B and T-80BV) Cast steel armor Shell, Cavity with Ceramic Rod Inserts

 

Turret Armor Estimates : 410mm - 420mm  vs Ke, 500mm Vs CE

 

Kontact 1 : adds 400mm extra protection vs CE atop standard Hull and turret armor. 

 

 

History and In Depth information

 

Spoiler

History of Development

 

The Initial t80 ( aka t80 model 1976)

 

The project to build the first Soviet turbine powered tank began in 1949. Its designer was A. Ch. Starostienko, who worked at the Leningrad Kirov Plant (LKZ). The tank was never built because available turbine engines were of very poor quality. In 1955, two prototype 1,000 hp (746 kW) turbine engines were built at the same plant under the guidance of G. A. Ogloblin. Two years later a team led by the famous heavy tank designer Josef Kotin constructed two prototypes of the Ob'yekt 278 tank. Both were hybrids of the IS-7 and the T-10 heavy tanks, powered by the GTD-1 turbine engine, weighing 53.5 tonnes and armed with the M65 130 mm tank gun. The turbine engine allowed the tank to reach a maximum speed of 57.3 km/h (35.6 mph), however with only 1,950 liters of fuel on board, range was 300 km (190 mi). The two tanks were considered experimental vehicles and work on them eventually ceased. In 1963, the Morozov Design Bureau designed the T-64 and T-64T tanks. They used GTD-3TL turbine engines which generated 700 hp (522 kW). The tank was tested until 1965. At the same time, at Uralvagonzavod, a design team under the guidance of L. N. Kartsev created the Ob'yekt 167T tank. It used the GTD-3T turbine engine which supplied 801 hp (597 kW).[13]

 

In 1966 the experimental Ob'yekt 288 rocket tank, powered by two aerial GTD-350 turbine engines with a combined power of 691 hp (515 kW), was first built. Trials indicated that twin propulsion was no better than the turbine engine which had been in development since 1968 at KB-3 of the Kirov Plant (LKZ) and at WNII Transmash. The tank from LKZ equipped with this turbine engine was designed by Nikolay Popov. It was constructed in 1969 and designated Ob'yekt 219 SP1. It was renamed the T-64T, and was powered by a GTD-1000T multi-fuel gas turbine engine producing up to 1,000 hp (746 kW). During the trials it became clear that the increased weight and dynamic characteristics required a complete redesign of the vehicle's caterpillar track system. The second prototype, designated Ob'yekt 219 SP2, received bigger drive sprockets and return rollers. The number of wheels was increased from five to six. The construction of the turret was altered to use the same compartment, 125 mm 2A46 tank gun, auto loader and placement of ammunition as the T-64A. Some additional equipment was scavenged from the T-64A. The LKZ plant built a series of prototypes based on Ob'yekt 219 SP2. After seven years of upgrades, the tank became the T-80.

 

Summary  of Initial HISTORY TLDR

 

T-80( 1976) is basically a T64A ( same hull and turret array) but fitted  a 1000 HP Gas turbine engine.

 

Old school Fire control ( more of a sighting system) with a optical Coincidence rangefinder like on the T64A.

 

 

The T-80B ( 1978- 1982)

 

 

 

T-80B included a upgrade of FCS in the one in use onthe T-64B.  It offered a 1G42 FCS/sights combined with KTD1 Laser Rangefinder,   1V517 Ballistic Computeralong with a Crosswind Sensors.

 

Compared to the T80 1976, the T-80B in 1878 was initially fitted with the Same engine ( GTD 1000T) . In 1980 T80B series tanks were issued has a more reliable, but also more powerful engine  ( the GTD 1000TF) which would later be used in the T-80BV, but IRL still was not ideally reliable for soviet standards and was very demanding with Gas consumption. and thus limited range compared to diesel powered tanks.

In 1981 T-80B series were standardized with Tucha Smoke Dischargers.

 

T-80B (model 1983- 1984)

 

 

 

 

in the 80s Due to M111 hetz scare armor was further bolstered by welding in a 30mm HSS plate like on retrofitted T64B family   ( some sources state a weaker  16mm plate like on  the T72A modification came first)  this became the T-80B model 1983. Otherwise nothing else changed.

 

 

 

T-80BV model 1985

 

 

 

 

In 1985 a New production T-80 entered service, Its Hull Armor was improved. It included a 5 layer array Similar to the T64BV( but still improved due to  5mm thicker Steel Layers) , along with addition of Kontact-1 Era for greater protection against Shaped charges. 

 

Smoke dis- chargers re positioned to make room for KOntact 1 on the Turret. This became the T-80BV

 

 

 

 

Autoloader comparison

T72/T90 Electric Autoloading mechanism vs Hydraulically powered Autoloader  T64/T80 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN Depth Armor examination

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

Hull Armor examination

 

Various  Soviet Tank Hulls. ( including T-80B and T-80BV)

 

 

 

 

T-80BV  HUll armor layout.

 

 

Turret Armor Examination

 

 Instead of the Cercamic ball confirguration like the the T-64B Armor 

 

 

 

 

the T-80B & T-80BV used simplified Quartz ROds inserted into a Cavity within the Turret like the T-72A.

 

 

 

 

Last value should be CE not KE ( 500mm)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combat Service History.

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

Although Obviously the COld war never went hot these tanks never saw combat against thier intended opponents.

 

T80B and T80Bv's saw thier first action post breakup of the USSR. durring the First Russo Chechen war ( 1994- 1996)

 

 

 

These tanks However Suffered becasue of Poor Training.   and tactical misuse of commanders.

 

IE sending MBT's alone into urban areas without infantry support ( Ie the ill fated assault on Grozny).  IN certain instances Crew had also made the mistake of leaving thier engines all on day only to run out of fuel and get stranded without support.

 

https://www.tanks.net/tank-history/tanks-during-the-first-chechen-war.html

 

Long story short Russia lost the first war IN Chechnya, but it was certainly not the fault of T80 which got a undeserved negative reputation.

 

 

IN Conclusion:

 

I think these are fair suggestion as potential contenders to the M1A1 and Production Leopard 2 model(S)

 

 

Sources:

 

https://ospreypublishing.com/t-80-standard-tank

 

https://www.scribd.com/doc/34579726/T-80-Russian-Main-Battle-Tank-Technical-manual

 

https://thesovietarmourblog.blogspot.ca/2016/02/t-80-gambol.html

 

http://fofanov.armor.kiev.ua/

 

https://ospreypublishing.com/t-80-standard-tank

 

http://fighting-vehicles.com/t-80b-tank/

 

https://www.scribd.com/doc/77670923/Cold-War-Armor-After-Chechnya-An-Assessment-of-the-Russian-T-80

 

 

Edited September 24, 2018 by kev2go

[Radom 4,245]

Open for discussion 

 

tag/prefix updated 

Edited March 20, 2018 by Radom

[dotEXCEL 5,968]

+1

[swpixy 1,220]

+1

[CK_16 791]

Yes, then to wrap up the T-80 include the T-80U. Talk about scary o.O

[Conraire 5,722]

Got a +1 from me.  Granted the T-80B with the applique would be a mod 83 or 84.  I suppose they could always do the mod 82 with a researchable upgrade for the applique armor though.

[WulfPack 1,693]

+1

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,349]

+1 but logically T-72 modifications should come first 

[The_Doctor_084 1,583]

T-80 would come after the T-64, while the T-72 would come after the T-62.  The US would only need the M1IP for the improved protection as well as it only ever firing the M833 & M900 (M833 initially no need for the M900).  M1A1 should see either some variation of the T-90 as a counterpart or perhaps the Object that was the initial idea for the Armata.

[WulfPack 1,693]

10 minutes ago, RexLuporum said:

M1A1 should see either some variation of the T-90 as a counterpart or perhaps the Object that was the initial idea for the Armata.

If the BV isn't competitive against it, then T-80U. Object 299? Yeah..... Ima say no for that against an M1A1.

[CK_16 791]

Yea M1A1HA = T-80U imo.

[kev2go 5,112]

On 20/03/2018 at 11:40, RexLuporum said:

T-80 would come after the T-64, while the T-72 would come after the T-62.  The US would only need the M1IP for the improved protection as well as it only ever firing the M833 & M900 (M833 initially no need for the M900).  M1A1 should see either some variation of the T-90 as a counterpart or perhaps the Object that was the initial idea for the Armata.

 

No T90 is to good against vanilla M1A1.  

 

 

On 20/03/2018 at 11:53, WulfPack said:

If the BV isn't competitive against it, then T-80U. Object 299? Yeah..... Ima say no for that against an M1A1.

 

 i agree here.

 

For vanilla M1A1  given the T80B'/BV's mobility. and the fact it has ammo good enough suggested ammo to  LOlpen  it, will still make the tank underwhelming  even with superior Hp/ton ratio

 

T-80BV 25.17 HP/ton vs 23.8 HP/Ton M1A1. M1 (105MM) has 25HP/ton. 

 

only inferior in reverse mobility Max is -12 KM/H.

 

So I see this becoming meta hift merely. More like KPZ vs T64A. Everyone can penetrate each other at practical - long  combat ranges. Itl be once again more dominant on who spot who first.

 

So i agree T80U not needed until at least M1A1 HA shows up.

 

Edited September 24, 2018 by kev2go

[kev2go 5,112]

On 20/03/2018 at 09:51, Conraire said:

Got a +1 from me.  Granted the T-80B with the applique would be a mod 83 or 84.  I suppose they could always do the mod 82 with a researchable upgrade for the applique armor though.

 

 

 

thanks for rectifying that

 

I made the mistake of misidentifying incorrect date for the T80B. the T-80B  Model 1983 was when the  addon plate was introduced.

 

Topic edited.

 

 

Edited August 23, 2018 by kev2go

[kev2go 5,112]

 

Found Training footage of T80B and BV tanks from the cold war era ( East Germany)

 

 

now added to OP

Edited March 20, 2018 by kev2go

[kamikazi21358 998]

This is literally the number one reasons I was playing the Russians: I wanted the T-54s, then they started adding the Leopard 1 and other Cold War tanks, so I started to have a little hope.  Then they added the T-64 which showed they are willing to go with composite armor, now they added the B and the Abrams and more: so IMO I think it’s only a matter of time now.

If I personally had to guess the rank 6 Russian tree with the T-80s and T72s, I bet the T-80 would be the direct successor to the T-64 because it’s based on it, while the T-72 would be after the T-55 since it less like the 64 and 80 of the three and it was the main-stay, most mass produced, often exported of the three tank that was more for quantity than quality, like the T-62 and T-55: mass produced and often exported main-stay MBTs.

 

(most players: “M1 Abrams will be the best tank ever if it is added!”)

+1, it’s in year and everything; who the f@!& doesn’t want a up-armored 1200 HP gas turbine less than 50 ton low silhouette 125mm anti-tank and anti-helicopter missile launcher and APDS-FS launcher breakthrough Main Battle Tank?

 

 

Edit: although I must add, for balance, if this is added they would need to add the 1984 M1A1 Abrams, and probably a 9.7 Br.

Or even better yet, 10.0 Br for slight balancing purposes; and it probably be the actual final top tier vehicles for a really, really long time, since I am presuming the new cut off date is the end of the Cold War and going beyond would be extremely difficult since most modern armor has many classified stats.

Edited March 20, 2018 by kamikazi21358

[kev2go 5,112]

18 minutes ago, kamikazi21358 said:

 

 

Edit: although I must add, for balance, if this is added they would need to add the 1984 1985 M1A1 Abrams, and probably a 9.7 Br.

Or even better yet, 10.0 Br for slight balancing purposes; and it probably be the actual final top tier vehicles for a really, really long time, since I am presuming the new cut off date is the end of the Cold War and going beyond would be extremely difficult since most modern armor has many classified stats.

 

yup thats the idea if you read the poll part. 

 

And  reason why i ultimately decided to do this suggestion was that m1A1 was teased in the M1 devblog .  AS well a production Leos being officially confirmed by the Dev;s.

 

Spoiler

 

https://warthunder.com/en/news/5355-development-m1-abrams-the-desert-warrior-en

 

 

"The M1 entered production in 1979, with the first production version M1 leaving the factory floor in February 1980. Production of the M1 continued until 1985, with an improved M1IP version being produced briefly between 1984 -1986. By 1985, several thousands of M1s had already been manufactured and put into service. In August 1985 however, the M1 was outfitted with the licence-built version of the Rheinmetall 120mm gun, as found on the Leopard 2 tank and subsequently entered production as the M1A1 Abrams. Following this modification, earlier M1 units would progressively be upgraded to M1A1 standard, but this is a story for another devblog in the future"

 

 

Devs answer questions

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 20, 2018 by kev2go

[Nope 10,634]

8 hours ago, WulfPack said:

If the BV isn't competitive against it, then T-80U. Object 299? Yeah..... Ima say no for that against an M1A1.

 

The T-80BV is fine against an M1A1. It's just that if the M1A1 gets M829A1, the T-80BV must have at least Svinets.

[TwiXSvK 72]

I really dont get why they added t64B instead of t80B...

Could have given the challenger a bit better ammo so it would be armor + firepower

leopard 2k would be firepower+mobility 

abrams would be armor+mobility 

and t80b would be all around tank with **** reverse speed, **** gun depression and cramped crew, so easy to one shot

[Mr_Hunter_99 781]

Germans havent even seen how a composite looks like in game so lets have some Composite for Germans 1st to make them Competitive then ask for more power creeps

[MyWaifuIsKeqing 756]

8 minutes ago, Scharfschutze_99 said:

Germans havent even seen how a composite looks like in game so lets have some Composite for Germans 1st to make them Competitive then ask for more power creeps

Its Coming. Hold your horses. Leo 2k is fine atm if it gets down tiered it puppy kicks alongside the Leopard A1A1 at BR 8.3 that can go clean through T-64A's UFP.

[Nope 10,634]

5 hours ago, TwiXSvK said:

I really dont get why they added t64B instead of t80B...

Could have given the challenger a bit better ammo so it would be armor + firepower

leopard 2k would be firepower+mobility 

abrams would be armor+mobility 

and t80b would be all around tank with **** reverse speed, **** gun depression and cramped crew, so easy to one shot

 

start with the t80 first, not t80b

[Querulous1 3,276]

Yes : though no doubt both will come

[kev2go 5,112]

2 hours ago, Nope said:

 

start with the t80 first, not t80b

 

T80 is kind of redundant now. As included in history in op. It would litteraly be a t64a. May as well skip straight to t80b. Since t64a armor is  not longer stopping top tier ammo . 

 

All things considered the t80 was basely blerely a servicable tank and t80b was the first truly mass produced version that saw forward deployment.

 

9.0 face 9.3 anyways so may as well just have a t80b and/ or t80bv as t64b successor, to have better ammo and armor that is an improvement over t64a and to a certain extent the t64b. Even if only  a very modest improvement.

Edited March 21, 2018 by kev2go

[The_Doctor_084 1,583]

There isn't a timeline cutoff anymore, this was stated when tier VI vehicles were introduced.  Just really depends on how far they want to go with it. 

[swpixy 1,220]

29 minutes ago, kev2go said:

 

T80 is kind of redundant now. As included in history in op. It would litteraly be a t64a.

A T-64A with a nearly 1.5 times as powerful engine,however,and with 3BM15 at the very least,probably also 3BM22 or even later rounds.I wouldn´t call it redundant...