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BTR-80



Overview


BTR-80

Russian BTR-80 during a parade.
Source: Counterfeiter - © public domain

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Armored personnel carrier
Entered service
1986
Status
In service
Development
Early 1980's
Developer
Soviet Union - GAZ
Production
1984 - present
Producer
Soviet Union - Arzamas machine-building plant
Russia - Arzamas machine-building plant
Number produced
Over 3.000, including variants.
Designations
GAZ-5903 (factory designation)
BTR-80 / Bronirovannyy transportor model 80
Russian for "troop transporter, model 80".

Description


Introduction

The BTR-80 is an armored personnel carrier of Soviet origin. It was developed as a follow on to the successful BTR-70 and BTR-60PB. The general layout remains similar but the design has been improved in every aspect.

Layout

The BTR-80 has the same general layout as the earlier BTR-70. The driver and commander are seated in the front, the turret and crew compartment is located in the middle and the engine is located at the rear. The crew may enter the vehicle through two part doors on each side and via roof hatches. The BTR-80 chassis is used for a wide variety of specialist vehicles in the command, reconnaissance and recovery roles.

Firepower

The original BTR-80 is armed in the same manner as the BTR-70. It has a turret with a 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun and coaxial 7.62mm PKT coaxial machine gun. The increased elevation allows it to target helicopters and low flying aircraft

Protection

The protection level of the BTR-80 is improved over the earlier BTR-70, especially regarding mines. The steel armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters all around and from 12.7mm rounds over the frontal arc. An NBC system is standard and smoke grenade launchers are fitted to the turret.

Mobility

The 8x8 chassis provides good mobility on roads and in the field. The maximum speed is 80 km/h on roads. A single 260 hp diesel engine provides propulsion. The single engine setup makes the BTR-80 much more reliable than its predecessors. The amphibious capability has been slightly improved.

Users

The BTR-80 is widely used by Russian forces and various Eastern European nations. Large quantities have been exported, but not to the extent as earlier designs. The newer models with autocannon make the BTR-80 design a very attractive all-round and cost effective combat vehicle.

Media


Variants


Identifying the BTR-80

BTR-80 is the baseline vehicle from which all BTR-80 variants are derived. The BTR-80 is armed with a similar turret as the BTR-70. The BTR-80 series can be easily identified by the two part doors on the sides, the rear engine deck and smoke grenade dischargers at the rear of the turret.

Variants of the BTR-80

BTR-80
Baseline model and most common version of the BTR-80 series.
BTR-80K
Command version of the BTR-80. It features a telescopic antenna mast and additional radios.

Details


Facts BTR-80
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Armored personnel carrier
Crew
2 + 8 (driver, gunner, 8 infantry)
Dimensions
Weight
13.6 t combat load
Length
7.65 m
Width
2.90 m
Height
2.35 m (turret top)
Main armament
Type
14.5mm KPVT heavy machine gun
Mount
Main armament in one man cupola
Ammunition
500 rounds, 50 ready to fire
Elevation
-4° to +60°, manual
Traverse
360°, manual
Stabilizer
No
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm PKT machine gun
Mount
Coaxial with main armament
Ammunition
2.000 rounds, 250 ready to fire
Traverse
Elevation and traverse as main armament
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis, 8x8
Tread
2.41 m
Automotive
Engine
KaMAZ-7403 V8 diesel
Power output
260 hp
Transmission
Manual, 5 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
300 L
Mobility
Speed
90 km/h on road
10 km/h afloat
Range
600 km on road
Turn radius
13.2 m
Power to weight ratio
19.1 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.48 m
Wall
0.5 m
Trench
2 m
Gradient
60 %
Slope
42 %
Fording
Amphibious
Protection
Armor type
Steel
NBC system
Yes
Smoke system
6x 81mm smoke grenade discharger
Equipment
Night vision
Yes
Radio
Yes

Vehicles based on BTR-80 chassis


Note: incomplete list

BTR-80A

The BTR-80A is a BTR-80 fitted with 30mm 2A72 autocannon. This makes it suitable as an infantry fighting vehicle.

BTR-82

The BTR-82 is a more modern variant of the BTR-80A.

2S23 Nona-SVK

The 2S23 Nona is a self-propelled 120mm gun/mortar based on the chassis of the BTR-80.

BREM-K

The BREM-K is an armored recovery vehicle based on the BTR-80 chassis. It was developed as a support vehicle for units equipped with the BTR-80 series of armored personnel carriers.

Subcomponents


Vladimirov KPVT

The 14.5mm KPVT is the main armament of the BTR-80.

Kalashnikov PKT

The 7.62mm PKT serves as secondary armament on BTR-80.

Related articles


BTR-70

The BTR-80 was developed as a more capable successor to the BTR-70. It proved to be a more capable design and was produced in larger numbers than the BTR-70.

BTR-60PB

The BTR-80 replaced many remaining BTR-60PB in Soviet service, since not all of these vehicles were replaced by the BTR-70.