T-80BVM

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

T-80BVM

T-80U

T-80BVM

T-80U

USSR

VIII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.7	11.7	11.7

Class:

Medium tank

Research:400 000

Purchase:1 080 000

Show in game

Description

The T-80BVM is a rank VIII Russian medium tank with a battle rating of 11.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Red Skies".

General info

Survivability and armour

ERA

Effective action against the cumulative ammunition

Composite armour

Balanced protection against all types of ammunition

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

ESS

Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle

Self-entrenching equipment

Creation of ramparts and trenches in soft ground

Armourfront / side / back

Hull105 / 80 / 50

Turret180 / 160 / 65

Crew3 people

Visibility79 %

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 easily 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 tearing through 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 KE 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

Speedforward / back

AB78 / 13 km/h

RB and SB70 / 11 km/h

Number of gears9 forward

1 back

Weight46.0 t

Engine power

AB2 385 hp

RB and SB1 250 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB51.8 hp/t

RB and SB27.2 hp/t

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	78	13	46	1937	2,385	42.11	51.85
Realistic	70	11		1106	1,250	24.04	27.17

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB3 714 → 6 945

RB3 607 → 6 745

SB4 567 → 8 540

Total cost of modifications290 100

471 000

Talisman cost3 100

Crew training310 000

Experts1 080 000

Aces2 200

Research Aces1 280 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

150 / 190 / 210 %

250 / 250 / 250 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Suspension Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Brake System Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Filters Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Transmission Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440 Engine Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440	Improved Parts Research: 4 500 Cost: 23 000 390 Dozer Blade Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Improved FPE Research: 3 600 Cost: 18 000 310 Smoke grenade Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Crew Replenishment Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 NVD Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 ESS Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440 Additional ERA Package Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440	Horizontal Drive Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Adjustment of Fire Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Laser rangefinder Research: 12 000 Cost: 18 000 310 Elevation Mechanism Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 125mm_ussr_ATGM_ammo_pack Research: 15 000 Cost: 23 000 390 Artillery Support Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440 125mm_ussr_3BM42_APDS_FS_ammo_pack Research: 17 000 Cost: 26 000 440

Armaments

Laser rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Night vision device

Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Thermal imager

Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

125 mm 2A46M-1 cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Autoloader

Automatically feeds projectiles into the breech. The speed does not depend on the skills of the loader

Ammunition38 rounds

First-order28 rounds

Reload6.5 s

Vertical guidance-5° / 15°

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-80BVM) 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 has access to the powerful 3BM60 Svinets-2 APFSDS.

3BK18M, HEAT-FS - The 3BK18M is one of the first rounds the T-80BVM has access to, it can be considered a mediocre round for close to medium range as most of the enemies which will be faced will be able to withstand it due to composite armour. However, it is particularly useful when facing light armoured vehicles which are prompt to overpressure (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 (forage, objects, etc.) may not be rendered and the round's velocity make aiming harder.

3OF26, HE-FS - A familiar and useful stock round of 125 mm gun, the 3OF26 pack big amount of explosive filler that can kill light vehicles and overpressure hull down MBT with precision shots. As a high explosive, it is prompt to detonate mid air due to trees, bushes and fences. Its suitable for close range combat and terrain with less trees and bushes.

3BM42, 3BM60, 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. The 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°).

9M119M1, ATGM (tandem) - The 9M119M1 is 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	457	454	445	431	419	406
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)	400	17.2	0.4	0.01	4,720	80°	82°	90°
3BM60	APFSDS	1,660	5.12	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

12.7 mm NSVT machine gun

Ammunition300 rounds

Belt capacity100 rounds

Reload5.0 s

Fire rate700 shots/min

Vertical guidance-5° / 60°

7.62 mm PKT machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition1 250 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reload8.0 s

Fire rate700 shots/min

The 12.7 mm NSVT machine gun, 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.

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 protection 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. Or use the ATGM or range finder to shoot down the enemy yourself.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Equipped with composite armour and Relikt ERA, protection and survivability is superb from the front, especially when hull down
• UBH upgrade enables increased side protection on the hull and turret
• Vastly improved gun handling compared to the T-80U
• Access to the powerful 3BM60 APFSDS shell
• Autoloader grants a short and constant reload time
• Most of the rounds are placed in the autoloader which helps the tank stay in active combat longer
• Good mobility

Cons:

• Base turret armor is identical to the T-80B
• While the front is covered with ERA plates, gaps between plates present small weak spots
• A tightly packed crew in a cramped interior means low survivability in case of a successful penetration
• Poor gun depression of -5° due to the low turret height, making it difficult to perform well in hilly terrain
• High ammo rack detonation hazard from side shots due to the vertical ammunition carousel in the centre of the hull
• Relatively low reverse speed, hard to fall back when flanked or damaged

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

• [Devblog] T-80BVM: ERA of improvements