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T-80UD ‘Bereza’: Economic Decision
T-80UD on display at a military museum in Russia.
- Basic Description:
- The T-80UD, known as Object 478B or Bereza (Birch Tree), is a modified T-80U developed and produced by the Kharkiv Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering/Malyshev Plant, in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, now modern-day Ukraine, that features a 1,000hp 6TD-1 Diesel Engine instead of the GTD-1000TF Gas-turbine Engine. Development began in the early-1980’s followed by mass production in 1985 with an estimated ~600-800 units produced. The T-80UD was adopted due to cost of operating the expensive T-80U and T-80BV main battle tanks. Utilizing the GTD-1000TF, the T-80U and T-80BV can accelerate faster than any other Soviet main battle tank making effectively more maneuverable over the more numerous T-72 and T-64 main battle tanks, however the cost of this maneuverability was high fuel consumption and logistic issues. The T-80U and T-80BV can operate at the very best around ~330km depending on the conditions of the terrain. The solution was to incorporate the 6TD-1 Diesel Engine into the T-80U chassis. The result was an estimated 250km increase in operational range for a total of around 580km at the cost of quick acceleration. This was significant since it made the powerful T-80U cost effective while still retaining its capabilities in firepower and armor protection. This vehicle would be designated the T-80UD. The T-80UD is essentially the same vehicle as the T-80U, featuring the similar electronics, armor, and gun. Some differences can be found in the turret (welded/cast), headlights, exhaust port, Commander’s cupola, and more. The main gun is a 2A46M-1 Smoothbore gun, produced locally in Ukraine as the KBA-3. This gun is fed by a 28rd autoloader which feeds two-part ammunition to the gun breech. The main gun is fired by the gunner, utilizing the 1A42 Fire Control System which includes the 1V528-1 Ballistic Computer, Laser Rangefinder, 1G46/TO1-KO1E Gunner Sight which is night vision capable. The Commander operates the PNK-4S sight capable of night vision. To aid in night time operations, a Luna IR Searchlight is installed next to the main gun. The T-80UD is capable of receiving the TO1-PO2T thermal imager and Shtora-1 countermeasure installed on some T-80U’s, however it is unlikely that Ukrainian T-80UD’s opted for the additional equipment. The fire control components allow the firing of the 9M119 GL-ATGM capable of targeting light vehicles, tanks, and low flying helicopters. Armor protection features the same layout as the T-80U, incorporating 2nd-generation Kontact-5 ERA capable of protecting against HEAT-shaped charges and APFSDS-T alike. Prior to the fall of the Soviet Union, the Soviet Army utilized around ~500-600 of the T-80UD which were intended to become the new standard before passing them on to successor states. Many remained within the newly formed states of the Russian Federation and Ukraine, however the Russian Army is believed to have decommissioned the last T-80UD. Currently Ukraine and Pakistan are the primary operators of the T-80UD with Pakistan operating over 300 units while Ukraine has anywhere from a handful to ~30-50 units in various state of condition. Some were restored to working order relatively recently.
- Specifications:
- Role: Main Battle Tank
- Origin/Manufacturer:
- U.S.S.R./Ukraine S.S.R. - Kharkiv Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering
- Operator(s):
- Primary:
- Soviet Ground Forces
- Ukrainian Ground Forces
- Some were restored to working order and are used today. A majority were sold to Pakistan or upgraded to the T-84 Oplot.
- Secondary:
- Russian Ground Forces
- Used by the ground forces before being decommissioned.
- Russian Ground Forces
- Primary:
- Armament:
- Primary: 125mm 2A46M-1 L/48 Smoothbore Gun
- Ammunition:
- APFSDS-T
- HEAT-FS
- HE-FRAG
- GL-ATGM
- 9M119
- Feed System:
- 28rd-Autoloader, 45rds total.
- Ammunition:
- Coaxial: PKT 7.62mm Machine Gun (1,250rds)
- Roof-mounted: NVST 12.7mm Machine Gun (300rds)
- Primary: 125mm 2A46M-1 L/48 Smoothbore Gun
- Dimensions:
- Length: 7.085m
- Width: 3.560m
- Height: 2.193m
- Weight: 46t
- Mobility :
- Engine: 1,000hp 6TD-1 Diesel Engine
- Max Speed: 60km/h
- Transmission: Manual (7-forward, 1-reverse)
- Suspension: Torsion Bar
- Crew:
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
- Features:
- Laser Rangefinder
- 8x 81mm Smoke Grenade Launchers
- ESS
- Luna IR Sight
- Entrenching Blade
- Armor:
- Kontact-5 ERA
- Optics:
- Gunner: TO1-KO1E (Night Vision Device)
- Commander: PNK-4S (Night Vision Device)
- Driver: TVNE-4O (Night Vision Device)
- In-game :
- This variant of T-80 features a slower speed versus its gas turbine and lacks the thermal imager upgrade however, the T-80UD can hold its own with its Kontact-5 ERA and powerful 125mm gun. Essentially it’s a T-80U with a slower diesel engine and comes standard with Night Vision that has the capability of being upgraded to a thermal imager.
- Estimated Battle Rating: 10.3-10.7.
- Sources:
- https://www.deagel.com/Armored Vehicles/T-80/a000370
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/russia_russian_army_tank_heavy_armoured_vehicles_u/t-80_mbt_main_battle_tank_technical_data_fact_sheet_pictures_video.html
- ODIN - OE Data Integration Network
- Военная библиотека: Изделие 478Б ( Танк Т-80УД). ТО и ИЭ. 3 часть
- https://www.army-technology.com/projects/t80/
- Main T-80UD tank (Birch 478B Object)
- http://www.military-today.com/tanks/t80ud.htm
- https://www.dieselarmy.com/features/car-features/monthly-military-russias-t-80ud-battle-tank/
- https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/t-84-and-t-80ud-no-shows-for-war-why-ukraine-s-best-tanks-are-nowhere-to-be-seen-as-russia-advances
- The Ukrainian T-80UD Main Battle Tank - TankNutDave.com
- T-80UD MBT
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/t-80_variantes_du_char_de_combat_principal/t-80ud_pictures_gallery_about_the_main_battle_tank_t-80_ud_russian_army_russia.html
- https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/ussr/t-80.php
- Modifications of the t 80 tank. The T-80 turned out to be a complete disaster. Victories in the virtual space
Imagery
Spoiler
T-80UD being brought out for education purposes.
T-80UD on display in Russia.
Front and rear images of the T-80UD.
Turret of the T-80UD.
Internal views of the T-80UD.
The 1,000hp 6TD-1 Diesel Engine of the T-80UD.
Pakistani T-80UD.
Video of the T-80UD.