T-80U-M1 tank which is called "Bars" - is a result of T-80U tank mod-ernization.
The concept of protection being optimized in a frontal arc, which still dominates MBT design, is a legacy of the times when tanks were mainly in-tended to break through linear defenses.
However, today more and more the tanks are used in local conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The combat operations are conducted in build-up ar-eas, i.e. under conditions whereby all fire sectors have practically the same im-portance and hit probability, and protection must be of a near-perimeter character.
Activities to develop active protection have been underway for the past 10-20 years in a number of states; however, only in Russia these activities have attained the final stage - production of operational-ready system "Arena".
The "Arena" system, which has no known counterparts worldwide as re-gards technical characteristics and combat performance, is intended for the pro-tection of tanks against anti-tank grenades and rockets fired by all types of in-fantry weapons, as well as against ground and helicopter-launched ATGMs-1 flying with the speed from 70 to 700 m/sec, whatever their final trajectory (horizontal or sloping), guidance systems and types of warheads used in these missiles.
The "Arena" is switched "on" or "off" from the tank commander's con-trol panel, after which all subsequent operations are performed automatically.
T-80U tank modification which is called "Bars" is equipped with the smoke screen laying system or optoelectronic jamming station "Shtora-1" and with complex of active protection "Arena", thus complex "Shtora-1 " provides detection of the laser radiation in the sector up to 360° and laying of aerosol screens, and "Arena" - hitting of the threats before it's contact with tank armor.
T-80U-M1 "Bars" has following advantages comparing with other tanks:
Besides the main automatic mode "Arena" can be manually activated by the commander to demolish an obstacles and to provide close-range protection against infantry.
Using the complex of active protection "Arena" together with the complex "Shtora-1" makes it possible to increase the level of the tank's protection in 3-5 times.
Anti-radiation and chemical device "Velizh" is fast-active, more sensitive and easier to operate comparing with the complex GO-27 which is installed practically on the all Russian models of armored vehicles.
T-80U-M1 tank is equipped with the multi - fuel gas-turbine engine, the power of which is 1250 hp. with positive-displacement hydraulic turning gear. Comparing with T-80U tank, which has no equals in speed and dynamic charac-teristics, T-80U-M1 tank is easier to operate.
Installation of the positive-displacement hydraulic turning gear allows:
The drivers are less tired during the long marches.
T-80U-M1 tank is equipped with the air - conditioning system, which provides not only cooling but also drying of the air. The rational placing of the pipelines allows to supply with cool air every member of the crew and to decrease the overall dimensions and power- intensiveness of the air-conditioning system.
One of the advantages of T-80U-M1 tank is an installation of the 2A46-M4 smoothbore gun offering increased accuracy. Accuracy of fire was increased to 20% thanks to the increasing of the gun's rigidness, and at the same time the main units and parts of this gun are the same as of the reliable serially produced 2A46-M 1 gun.
Producer: OMSKTRANSMASH GUP (State Unitary Enterprise "Transport Mechanical Engineering Plant")
