BVP M-80A1

_YugoSlav · July 20, 2023, 6:37am

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BVP M-80A1

History and Description

As early as 1978, the GVTS (Chief Military Technical Council of Yugoslavia) approved the development plan for the improved BVP M-80A1, which was supposed to use a Czechoslovak turret named Vydra. The project envisaged a new fire-control system, gun stabilization, smoke grenade launchers, etc. Due to various reasons, development was extended for ten years, when in February 1988, the BVP M-80A1 was adopted as a vehicle in JNA (Yugoslav People’s Army). For unknown reasons, instead of the Czechoslovak Vydra turret, a domestic M91 Vidra turret was developed by VTI (Military Technical Institute). As a result of installing a new turret and other new equipment, the two biggest shortcomings of the BVP M-80A version were eliminated: an outdated gun and the inability to fire while moving. Once again, the finalist was the company “Famos”, which was preparing to produce a prototype batch in the late 1980s. It had been planned that the JNA would produce 200 vehicles, but by the time war broke out and production was halted, at least five had been completed. During the war, they were used by the VRS (Army of Republika Srpska) and special police units. Some were then captured by Bosnian Muslims.

The new BVP M-80A1 had significantly better firepower, which was based on the M86 30 mm gun, produced by the company “Zastava”. It used the same ammunition as 30 mm AK-230 naval guns. A modern electro-hydraulic system was developed that allowed the turret to move horizontally and the gun to move vertically. Gyroscopic stabilization of the cannon and the gunner’s sight enabled fire on the move. In place of the old two main sights, a new one - NS-30/1 - was installed, integrating day and night channels into one. It had a magnification of 1.1x and 4x in the day channel and 6x in the night channel. A new, semi-automatic Malyutka missile guidance system was also installed, with a separate sight integrated into the infrared locator on the left side of the turret. The training for the gunner was significantly simplified with this solution: the gunner would find and select the target, launch the missile, and aim at the target’s center without worrying about the missile’s position. The M86 gun used two types of shells: instant-explosive incendiary (initial velocity 1,050 m/s) and armor-piercing (1,100 m/s). Having a maximum range of 6,900 meters, this device was effective against lightly armored targets up to 1,500 meters, infantry up to 3,000 meters, and air targets up to 2,300 meters. The rate of fire was 600 rounds/min, with a choice of single or burst fire of five, ten, or higher number of rounds. The combat kit consisted of an ammo belt with 200 rounds. The M91 Vidra turret weighed 1,350 kg, which increased the weight of the M-80A1 to 14,480 kg but only partially reduced its mobility and amphibious capabilities. On the turret of the BVP M-80A1, 4 smoke grenade launchers (BDK M79, the same as on the M-84 tank) were installed, with the possibility of ejecting two or all four smoke grenades at a distance of 100 m.

Specifications

Essentials
- Length; 6.42 m
- Width; 2.90 m
- Height; more than 2.20 m
- Mass; 14.480 t
- Crew; 3
- Driver and gunner NVD (second generation intensifier)
Protection
- Armor;
  - Hull; 14 mm front, 9 mm sides, and rear
  - Turret; 25 mm front, 13 mm sides, 8 mm rear
- APS; N/A
- ERA; N/A
- Smoke; 4x BDK M79 smoke grenades, ESS
Mobility
- Engine; OM-403, 135 kW, 320 hp
- Power/weight; 22.1 hp/t
- Top speed; 65 kph
- Amphibious; Yes
- Amphibious speed; 7.8 kph
Firepower
- Main; Zastava M86 30x210B mm gun
  - Penetration at 1000 m; 60 mm
  - Fire rate; 650-730 shots/min
  - Belt capacity; 200 rounds
  - 200 rounds in total
  - Stabilizer; Yes (SAMM)
  - Vertical; -8° / +65°
  - Gun elevation speed: 50°/s
  - Horizontal; 360°
  - Turret rotation speed; 80°/s
  - Zoom;
    - Day; 1.15 - 4.15x,
    - Night; 6x
- Secondary; Zastava M86 7.62 mm gun
  - Penetration at 10 m; 10 mm
  - Fire rate; 700-800 shots/min
  - Belt capacity; 2000 rounds
  - 2000 rounds in total
- Supplementary; U-10 ATGM launcher
  - 4x 9M14P1 Malyutka (SACLOS)
    - 2x ready to fire
    - Penetration; 460 mm
    - Speed; 120 m/s
    - Max firing distance: 3000 m