T-80U

The T-80U is a tier 7 Main Battle Tank originating from the Soviet Union, and is sold by Marat Shishkin. It can be unlocked from the T-80B, and is currently the end of the T-80 branch in Armored Warfare.

Features

 * Heavy armor: this vehicle's armor bounces more shots and takes more hits
 * High caliber: the high caliber weaponry deals an increased damage
 * Gas Turbine : provide a smoother acceleration, compared to an ordinary diesel

Player Recommendations
The T-80U is what veterans of the T-80 series have come to expect: a highly mobile flanker with a strong gun. What the T-80U adds to this formula is a very strong turret, which allows it to bounce multiple shots at once. However, its hull armor is much weaker than similar Tier 7 vehicles, making the T-80U unsuited for prolonged brawling.

Pros

 * High alpha damage
 * Excellent mobility
 * Excellent turret armor

Cons

 * Extremely high hull traverse can make precise turning hard
 * Mediocre gun depression
 * Poor hull armor for its tier

Upgrade Suggestions
Firepower and mobility are the two most important assets on the T-80U, so upgrades should focus on them. Better ammunition and module unlocks should be the primary focus. Upgrading to the GTD-1250 Gas Turbine provides a boost to the acceleration and maneuverability, allowing for more rapid threat response.

Retrofit Suggestions

 * Advanced Muzzle Reference System
 * Augmented Optics
 * Improved Gun Breech
 * Improved Pioneer Tool Kit

Commander and Crew Skill Suggestions

 * Commander: Juan Carlos, to improve the aim speed and crew stats.
 * Driver: Spin to Win, Off-Road Driving
 * Gunner: Sharpshooter, Do the Twist

Variants

 * T-80U Shark
 * T-80U Spacewalker

History
Class: Main Battle Tank Developed: 1980-1985 Service: 1985+ Vehicles Built: cca 3000 Operators: Soviet Union, Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan, Cyprus, South Korea, Azerbaijan, Pakistan The T-80U Main Battle Tank was the ultimate mass-produced variant of the T-80 series until the recent appearance of T-80BVM. It replaced the Leningrad production of the T-80B in December 1984. The problem with the T-80B model was that it was more of a reactive measure, an attempt by the Soviet tank industry to catch up with the evolving western designs. The T-80U, however, was an attempt to once again establish undisputed Soviet armor hegemony on the modern battlefield. The development of the T-80U started in the early 1980s under N.Popov with the first prototype built in 1983 using a T-80B chassis. Unlike some other more economical models, the T-80U was, relatively speaking, a &#34;spare no expense&#34; project, which resulted in what was perhaps the most powerful MBT in the world for its time. Compared to the T-80B, protection was significantly improved. The armor was made sturdier by introducing ceramic inlays. The hull and the turret were protected by an advanced Kontakt-5 Explosive Reactive Armor kit. This ERA kit was used from 1985 onwards and remains – albeit in a modernized form – in service today on such vehicles as the T-72B3 or the T-90A. It&#39;s considered a heavy ERA kit, as it improves protection not only against HEAT rounds, but also against kinetic shells. Some sources claim the kit increases the original vehicle&#39;s protection by 80 to 100 percent against HEAT shells and by approximately 20 percent against kinetic shells. Its firepower was also improved. Compared to the original T-80B, the T-80U was equipped with an improved gun, the 125mm 2A46M-1 smoothbore cannon. The vehicle was also equipped with a Refleks gun-launched guided missile system and fitted with an advanced 1A45 Irtysh FCS. The T-80U was powered by a GTD-1000TF turbine, the power of which was increased from the original 1000hp to 1100hp. However, this upgraded turbine was extremely expensive, raising again the already high cost of the vehicle to the point where the Soviet Union could hardly afford it. The first two dozen pre-series T-80Us were built in late 1983 with full production starting in 1985. In Soviet service, the vehicle received a new 1250hp GTD-1250 engine in the late 1980s, but that was as far as the Soviets got. The T-80U was produced between December 1984 and 1997, although much of the post-Soviet production took place in Ukraine. The best estimates place the number of T-80Us built at around 3000. Exports were moderately more successful. Unlike the T-80 and T-80B MBTs, the T-80U was actually offered for export. Cyprus bought a few and about three dozen were given to the Republic of Korea to cover a debt. The biggest export deal concerned the diesel T-80UD version from Ukraine – more than 300 were sold to Pakistan between 1997 and 2002. Despite finding their way across the world, the T-80Us were never used in combat.