- Yes!
- No!
BVP M-80A
Post by YugoSlav and Mahiwew
History and Description
From the outset, it was evident that the BVP M-80 was only a temporary solution. This stemmed from the vehicle’s reliance on the French Hispano Suiza HS-115 diesel engine, rather than a domestically produced one. As a result, the Yugoslav army immediately sought a replacement engine. The FAMOS factory in Sarajevo, which had previously struggled to deliver a suitable engine for the vehicle, proposed the new OM-403 engine. This option met the requirements for greater power and local production. The army accepted the proposal, leading to the introduction of the first BVP M-80A in 1979. By 1991, approximately 600 IFVs had been manufactured in SFR Yugoslavia and were later extensively used by all factions during the Yugoslav wars. Even though it generally performed well, its shortcomings were apparent: the 20 mm autocannon was not stabilized, was too weak, and had a very short range. Outdated first-generation ATGMs were hard to guide and required a well-trained operator. Currently, Serbia is the largest user of M-80A, operating more than 300 vehicles and planning to upgrade them to M-80AB1/2.
The main enhancement of the M-80A over its predecessor is a more powerful engine, providing slightly higher speed and an improved power-to-weight ratio. The overall design remains similar, with the driver positioned at the front left, the commander seated behind, the engine compartment at the front right, the turret in the center, and the infantry compartment at the rear. Soldiers are seated back-to-back along the center of the vehicle and access it through two rear hull doors, each equipped with a firing port. Additional firing ports are located on each side of the personnel compartment, three per side, each paired with a periscope for aiming. Two oval roof hatches are positioned above the troop compartment. The one-man turret can rotate 360° and is armed with a 20 mm cannon and a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, capable of elevation from -5° to +75° under power control, with manual controls available in emergencies. Twin launchers for Malyutka-type wire-guided anti-tank missiles are mounted at the rear of the turret. The BVP M-80A is fully amphibious, propelled in water by its tracks. Before entering the water, a trim vane is deployed on the glacis plate, and bilge pumps are activated. Additionally, the vehicle can create its own smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel into the exhaust system.
Specifications
- Essentials
- Length; 6.42 m
- Width; 2.90 m
- Height; 2.20 m
- Mass; 13.850 t
- Crew; 3
- Driver, commander, and gunner NVD
- Protection
- Armor;
- Hull;
- front; lower plate: 25 mm, upper plate: 14 mm
- sides; 14 mm
- rear; 14 mm
- top; 9 mm
- bottom; middle plate: 9 mm, front plate: 9 mm, back plate: 9 mm
- Turret; front: 25 mm , sides: 20 mm,
- Hull;
- APS; N/A
- ERA; N/A
- Smoke; ESS
- Armor;
- Mobility
- Engine; FAMOS OM-403, 320 hp
- Power/weight; 23.1 hp/t
- Top speed; 65 km/h
- Reverse speed; ca. 10 km/h
- Amphibious; Yes
- Amphibious speed; 7.5 kph
- Firepower
- Main; Zastava M55 20x110 mm gun
- Penetration at 1000 m; 38 mm
- Fire rate; 650-730 shots/min
- Belt capacity; 200 rounds
- Ammo in storage 400 rounds
- Stabilizer; No
- Vertical; -5° / +65°
- Gun elevation speed: 50°/s
- Horizontal; 360°
- Turret rotation speed; 80°/s
- Zoom;
- Day; 1.1-5.3x,
- Night; 7.2 x
- Secondary; Zastava M86 7.62 mm gun
- Penetration at 10 m; 10 mm
- Fire rate; 700-800 shots/min
- Belt capacity; 500 rounds
- 2000 rounds in total
- Supplementary; U-10 ATGM launcher
- 4x 9M14M Malyutka (MCLOS)
- 2x ready to fire
- Penetration; 400 mm
- Speed; 120 m/s
- Max firing distance: 3000 m
- 4x 9M14M Malyutka (MCLOS)
- Main; Zastava M55 20x110 mm gun
Gallery
Details
Armor
Driver’s position
Gunner’s position
Gunner’s sight
Engine and fuel tank layout
OM-403 engine
Commander’s NVD light
Driver’s NVD light
Interesting modifications
M-80A armed with two 57 mm rocket pods
M-80A with additional plates that protect the sides from 12.7 mm fire at the cost of swimming ability
Sources
Borbeno vozilo pesadije M-80
M-80
BVP M-80
BVP M-80 A
https://www.yugoimport.com/sites/default/files/documents/2022-09/BVP%20M-80%20_%20M-80A%20eng..pdf
BVP M-80 - Wikipedia
https://www.mycity-military.com/
PALUBA - Index
Book: Oklep an Slovenskem by Iztok Kočevar
BVP M-80 manual: Borbeno vozilo pesadije BVP M80 (opis, rukovanje, osnovno i tehnicko odrzavanje, dopunjeno izdanje), 1988..pdf - Google Drive