T-80BVM

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

T-80BVM

T-80BVM

Description

The T-80BVM is a rank Soviet medium tank with a battle rating of (AB), (RB), and (SB). It was introduced in Update "Red Skies".

General info

Survivability and armour

The armour protection of the T-80BVM is one of the best, especially if the incoming round hits one of the Relikt ERA plates which are twice as effective as CONTACT-5 ERA against kinetic projectiles (meaning that the Leopard 2A6, one of the most dangerous opponents, cannot penetrate the UFP). The strongest parts of the tank are the turret front and a majority of the upper front plate. It does, however, have some weaker areas, the most important being the driver's hatch, the immediate areas of the turret surrounding the gun and its breech, and its lower frontal plate. These weak spots are however pretty small targets at range, and thus by hiding them properly, the risk of being hit can be minimized. Owing to its very low profile, a hull-down T-80BVM is a small target in itself; the weaker parts of its armour are even smaller.

Fuel tanks on either side of the driver can soak up some shrapnel and add to the overall survivability. However, as with all Russian auto-loaded MBTs, there are only three crew members so a well-placed shot is capable of causing a crew knock-out. It's also worth noting that the placement of the ammo rack, below the turret in a carousel-style setup, leaves the T-80BVM particularly vulnerable to side shots causing ammunition detonation. The protection of the T-80BVM is very similar to the T-80U in terms of the size and placement of the weak areas. The sides of your tank should always be protected, and when engaging an enemy, your front armour should always be aligned directly towards him to reduce the risks of a shot penetrating your weaker side. The tank does, however, have some Relikt ERA plates on its upper front skirts, meaning that you have some extra protection against kinetic penetrators, and a lot against chemical shells, until the ERA bricks are detonated (leaving the area vulnerable for another hit).

As mentioned above, the T-80BVM also benefits from the typical low silhouette Russian tankers will be accustomed to, with the vehicle being significantly smaller than its competitors. This allows the T-80BVM to be hidden behind small terrain deformities which other MBTs would otherwise be visible. It's also harder for an enemy tank commander to immediately tell which area is the most vulnerable.

Armour type:

• Cast homogeneous armor

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	50 mm (68°)	80 mm Top 20 mm Bottom	50 mm	20-30 mm
Turret	Variable thickness Turret front Variable thickness Gun mantlet	Variable Thickness	Variable Thickness	30-45 mm
Cupola	80 mm	80 mm	80 mm	45 mm

Notes:

• Relict: 20 mm High Hardness Rolled Armour
• Tracks: 20 mm

Mobility

Overall mobility is exactly the same as the T-80U, meaning it can easily keep up with most top-tier MBTs.

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade				1937			__.__
Realistic				1106			__.__

Armaments

Main armament

The T-80BVM has access to the 2A46M-1 125 mm smoothbore main gun. This gun fires the same ammunition as previous T-64 and T-80 models. The projectiles include the 3BM60 (modern round for the T-90BVM), the 9M119 ATGM and the 9M119M1, a modernized 9M119 with a tandem charge and a slightly reduced speed.

125 mm 2A46M-1					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	38	-5°/+15°	±180°	Two-plane	38.1	52.7	64.0	70.8	75.3	6.50	6.50	6.50	6.50
Realistic					23.8	28.0	34.0	37.6	40.0

Ammunition

The T-80BVM has access to capable rounds, able to destroy any enemy tank or vehicle it faces at the battle rating. The T-80BVM gets the powerful 3BM60 Svinets APFSDS.

HEAT-FS:

The 3BK18M is the first round the T-80BVM has access to, it can be considered a mediocre round as most of the enemies which will be faced will be able to withstand it due to composite armour. However, it is particulary useful when facing light armoured vehicles which are prompt to hull break (SPAA, light tanks, etc) and useful when facing enemy helicopters as it has enough explosive mass and flight speed to be competitive as last resort. As a hollow charge, it is prompt to detonate mid air due to trees, bushes and fences. This makes the round difficult to use when in long range engagements as some field elements may not be rendered.

APFSDS:

The T-80BVM has access to 2 types of APFSDS: the 3BM42 and 3BM60. The 3BM42 is a decent round with decent penetration and stopping power. While it lacks penetration to penetrate Leopard 2 tanks, Leclercs or M1A1/2 turret plates, it has enough penetration to hit and cause critical damage in weak spots and side shots. 3BM60 however, different from the 3BM42, has much more penetration which can penetrate all tanks from all sides (be aware of Leopard 2 turret wedges and firing at M1A2 turret with an obliquity greater than 45°).

ATGM:

The 9M119M1is a tandem version of the previously seen 9M119 SACLOS ATGM. The main upgrade is the tandem charge, everything else remains practically the same with exception of reduction of flight speed.

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	HE	42	42	42	42	42	42
3BM42	APFSDS	479	477	470	462	453	445
9M119M1	ATGM (tandem)	850	850	850	850	850	850
3BM60	APFSDS	580	576	567	555	543	532

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
3BK18M	HEATFS	905	19	0.05	0.1	2,790	65°	72°	77°
3OF26	HE	850	23	0	0.1	5,240	79°	80°	81°
3BM42	APFSDS	1,700	4.85	N/A	N/A	N/A	78°	80°	81°
9M119M1	ATGM (tandem)	350	17.2	0.4	0.01	4,720	80°	82°	90°
3BM60	APFSDS	1,660	4.85	N/A	N/A	N/A	78°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

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

Machine guns

The 12.7 mm NSVT machinegun, seen on all previous soviet MBTs, can help take out some lightly armoured vehicles from the side as well as to destroy low-flying aircraft and helicopters. The roof-mounted MG allows it to spin a full 180 degrees to the left and right the tank.

12.7 mm NSVT
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	300 (150)	700	-5°/+60°	±180°

The coaxial 7.62 mm PKT machine gun however is lacking against enemy vehicles, it still can mow down some small bushes and fences to provide better view or use it to help pin enemies.

7.62 mm PKT
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	1,250 (250)	700	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The T-80BVM has a higher survivability and better ammunition than the T-80U, meaning it is able to hold much more fire and deal more damage with the Svinets APFSDS than with the Mango APFSDS. The most dangerous enemy to the T-80BVM is helicopters, although the Relikt will usually protect against one or two missiles. However, it is still ERA, and will be blown off after it is detonated. Since the interior of the tank is so compact, this makes it easy for good pilots to knock you out in 2-3 rapid missile shots. To avoid helicopters, stay close to buildings or hide next to trees/large bushes and wait for an anti-air vehicle or a plane to take it out. Another option is to use the ATGM or range finder to shoot down the enemy yourself.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Armour is superb, most of the hull and turret is immune to all shells in the game, including the dreaded DM53 APFSDS shell utilized by the Leopard 2A6
• Access to the unlockable 3BM60 APFSDS shell with 580 mm of penetration
• Autoloader grants a short and constant reload time

Cons:

• Relatively low reverse speed, hard to retreat from a threatening situation
• The cramped interior, with the crew placed tightly together, means that the tank is easily disabled if a shot penetrates
• Poor survivability from side shots due to the massive ammunition carousel mounted in the centre of the hull
• Spare ammunition not carried in the autoloader is distributed around the hull and turret - meaning a penetrating shot might ignite a round carried as a spare, setting off the carousel
• Poor gun depression of -5° due to the low turret height. This makes it difficult to shoot over hills and other obstacles, especially on maps with rough terrain
• While the front is covered with ERA, the gaps between ERA plates are weak spots

History

 The T-80BVM is a current program for the Russian army in the modernization of Soviet T-80BV tanks to the level of the T-72B3 and T-90M main battle tanks, as well as unification with them. The modernization includes an up-to-date fire control system with a duplicate sight for the commander, and the ability to operate the 9M119 tandem ATGMs, as well as the "Relikt" ERA pack instead of outdated "Kontakt-1". Thanks to the latter, the protection of the vehicle from HEAT and AP projectiles was significantly increased.

The modernization of the T-80BVM takes place at the facilities of the Omsk heavy machinery plant (Omsktransmash) and enter service with units of the marines and motorized infantry of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

- Taken from Devblog.

Media

Skins

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

Videos

The Shooting Range #258 - Round Study section at 08:34 discusses how to penetrate the T-80BVM.

The Shooting Range #256 - Metal Beasts section at 00:25 discusses the T-80BVM.

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

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.