T-80UK

This page is about the Soviet medium tank T-80UK. For other versions, see T-80 (Family).

T-80UK

T-80UK

Description

The T-80UK was the evaluation prototype of a commander tank version of the T-80U tested in the 1980s. The design of T-80UK was mostly similar to the T-80U, but upgraded with TVD, Shtora-1 soft-kill APS, new FCS, and communication equipment. The vehicle was evaluated and passed state certification in the 1990s, but the certified T-80UK in Russian Army service did not install Shtora-1 APS, likely a result of funding problems during production and saving equipment for more advanced tanks like the T-90. The only prototype is mostly used during army exhibitions or army open days.

The T-80UK was introduced in Update "Drone Age" as the tier VII squadron vehicle of Soviet ground tech-tree. Aside from the sensors and IR jammers for the Shtora-1 soft-kill APS, as well as the HE-TF version of the infamous 3OF26, the overall performance of the T-80UK is identical to its tech-tree predecessor, giving players sufficient protection at its tier while boasting a wide variety of ammunition to take down enemy vehicles. However, players will need to make every shot count, as the tank doesn't have the best APFSDS at its tier (particularly against tough foes with protected UFPs like the ZTZ99), as well as the inferior gun handling on Soviet tanks (pre-2016 Russian MBTs).

General info

Survivability and armour

5-layer hull armour on the T-80UK

Kontakt-5 ERA on T-80UK

The hull armour on the T-80UK is a 5-layer armour, which is comprised of 50 mm high-hardness rolled armour, 30 mm of textolite, 50 mm of high-hardness rolled armour, 30 mm textolite, and 50 mm of high-hardness rolled armour. On top of this armour array, there is another form of protection which is Kontakt-5, a second generation explosive reactive armour. The turret armour on the T-80UK is also covered by Kontakt-5 on the front of the turret.

Armour type:

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	___ mm	___ mm Top ___ mm Bottom	___ mm	___ - ___ mm
Turret	___ - ___ mm Turret front ___ mm Gun mantlet	___ - ___ mm	___ - ___ mm	___ - ___ mm
Cupola	___ mm	___ mm	___ mm	___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade				1,937			__.__
Realistic				1,106			__.__

T-80UK didn't include any changes on mobility and the overall upgrades for the prototype have negligible impact on the weight of vehicle, therefore the good old Klimov GTD-1250 gas turbine can still push the tank to up to 70 km/h. However, caution is advised when pushing, as the tank doesn't have the best reverse speed; while -12 km/h is one of the best among Soviet/Russian MBTs, this is not comparable to the abilities of NATO vehicles.

Armaments

Main armament

Aside from having TVD sights and FCS for time-fuzed HE shells, the 2A46M-1 on T-80UK performs identically to its base model. It has a larger calibre than NATO tanks and access to a variety of ammunition ranging from APFSDS to ATGMs which are good for taking down enemies from distance with devastating firepower. However, the slow overall turret traverse rate still haunts the tank, so it is recommended pre-aim the gun towards directions from which the enemy might suddenly appear for minimal reaction time - the T-80UK doesn't have much to spare.

125 mm 2A46M-1					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Autoloader
Arcade	30	-5°/+15°	±180°	Two-plane	22.8	31.6	38.4	42.5	45.2	6.50
Realistic					14.3	16.8	20.4	22.6	24.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
3BK18M	HEATFS	550	550	550	550	550	550
3OF26 EDKV	HE-TF	42	42	42	42	42	42
3BM42	APFSDS	457	454	445	431	419	406
9M119	ATGM	700	700	700	700	700	700
3BM46	APFSDS	532	531	526	520	513	507

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
3BK18M	HEATFS	905	19	0.05	0.1	2.79	65°	72°	77°
3OF26 EDKV	HE-TF	850	23	0.3	0.1	5.24	79°	80°	81°
3BM42	APFSDS	1,700	4.85	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°
3BM46	APFSDS	1,700	4.85	-	-	-	78°	80°	81°

Missile details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Range (m)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
								0%	50%	100%
9M119	ATGM	445	5,000	16.5	0.05	0.1	5.72	80°	82°	90°

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
30	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__ (+__)	__

The T-80UK main ammo rack consists of a mechanized carousel at the bottom of the turret which carries 28 propellants and projectiles.

Machine guns

12.7 mm NSVT
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	500 (100)	700	-5°/+60°	±180°

7.62 mm PKT
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	750 (250)	700	-	-

Usage in battles

The T-80UK is a command variant of the T-80U. As such, the playstyle will not change much. The most notable difference between the two tanks is the soft-kill active protection system, which will disrupt the guidance of any ATGMs headed in the direction of the tank, provided the turret is facing the launching vehicle.

While the armour is reasonably good, it will fail to stop some APFSDS rounds, so it is important that you refrain from relying on it. Remember that the armour is not meant to protect the tank, it is meant to protect the crew. With that said, you'll find yourself absorbing a significant portion of poorly-placed or rushed shots in your direction, provided they are not from the side or rear. It is also important to remember, the ERA is expendable. Once it is gone, your tank will be left with significant weak spots that can, and will be abused by your enemies. It is best not to get hit in the first place.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Soft kill passive protection system
• Overall good frontal armour
• Good mobility
• Effective ERA, capable of stopping many of the APFSDS rounds you'll face

Cons:

• Autoloader carousel is a significant vulnerability
• The vehicle is loud, effectively removing any sense of stealth
• Rather slow turret traverse and reverse speed significantly reduce reactivity
• Subpar gun depression

History

Under the Soviet armoured doctrine, tank companies would receive a commander tank just like many major powers during the Cold War. In the Soviet case, the tank would also receive FCS upgrades aside from new communication equipment. The T-80UK was a result of such doctrine, featuring Shtora-1 soft-kill APS, Agava-2 TVD imager, atmospheric sensors, R-163U and R-163K radio, TNA-4 navigation systems, time-fuze controls and AB-1-P28 APU. The tank was likely being tested during the final days of the Soviet Union, and passed state certification during the 1990s. Likely due to insufficient funds and saving Shtora-1 APS for future tanks such as the T-72BU, the current model of the T-80UK looks extremely like an original T-80U with longer antenna for the radio.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the T-80UK from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Devblog] Squadron vehicles:T-80UK

Squadron ground vehicles
USA	M901 · M1A1 AIM
Germany	Leopard 2 PL
USSR	BMP-2M · T-80UK
Britain	Bhishma TWMP
Japan	RCV (P)
China	Object 122MT "MC"
France	CV 9035NL
Sweden	T 80 U
Israel	Magach 6B Gal