T80125
| T80125 | |
|---|---|
 Base line model T80125 and its variants | |
| Type | Main Battle Tank |
| Place of origin |  Aegion |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1980 - present |
| Used by | ORE |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Alderia-Anacom Armor Works |
| Designed | 1978-1980 |
| Manufacturer | Alderia-Anacom Armor Plant |
| Produced | 1980 - 2010 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 48 tonnes |
| Length | 9.72 m |
| length | 6.92 m |
| Width | 3.72 m |
| Height | 2.23 m |
| Crew | 3 |
| Armor | Steel and Composite armour |
Main armament | 12.5cm G04T L/53 smoothbore tank cannon |
Secondary armament | 2 x 7.62mm EA12 1 x 20mm autocannon 24 x 76mm smoke grenade launchers |
| Engine | Various 1000 hp |
| Power/weight | 22.2 hp/t |
| Suspension | Torsion Bar |
Operational range | 700 km (with fuel drums) |
| Speed | 65 km/h on-road 34.6 km/h off-road |
The T80125 is an Redisan main battle tank that served from 1980 - 2004 as the prime main battle tank of the Royal Orun Army. It was developed off the T82125 drivetrain prototype. The T80125 was the primary main battle tank in Tarsan units for over twenty years and had many variants and upgrades produced. It has been relegated to reserve units with the introduction of the T13125 Atlos. Numerous exporters also utilize the tank still today.
Development
The T80125 was developed in 1977 after a few pre production drivetrains from T82125 tanks were developed. Alderia-Anacom Armor Works co developed and built the drivetrain and develop a vehicle off of it. The joint design team began development in secrey in 1977. Pre production vehicles were released in early 1979. Testing revealed the vehicles as satisfactory. Production officially began in 1980 and the vehicles technically entered service in early 1981 after crew training.
Design
Interior
The crew of the tank was spread among the driver's compartment and the fighting compartment. The turret of the vehicle was relatively larger than the T82125 and the chassis is slightly lower but was wider. The driver was directly behind the primary armor angle in front of the turret. The Commander was located on the right side of the turret with a commanders hatch incorporating a 20mm autocannon which had to be operated manually at first but later received an upgrade for remote operation. The gunner was located on the right side of the turret next to the autoloader. A dual shell bustle autoloader was directly behind the main gun and can hold two shells before having to be manually fed shells by the gunner. The primary computer systems are located among the three stations based on who the information is relevant to. The interior, while slightly cramped, is still ergonomically designed to maximize available space.
Armour
The original T80125 possessed basic composite armour made from a combination of two plates of spaced rolled homogeneous armour with a heavy tungsten alloy and rubber plate fixed in between. The inner RHA plate was covered from the inside with a kevlar anti-spalling liner. Later versions included newly developed armor types that offered greater protection. The armor successively thickened over the years and began to be complimented by more soft kill options. The turret's armor was armoured steel laminate with tungsten and rubber layers with an extra plate of non-explosive reactive armor on the gun mantle for increased protection. Later generations of the tank included heavier more advanced armor. All versions are equipped with NBC protection and ventilation. Later versions also include hazard warning systems for detection NBC weapons.
Electronics
The tank did introduce several new systems to the military arsenal. This included analogue steering for the turret as opposed to manual. In terms of fire control, the T80125 had the improved ability to zoom in and out and replacing the old IR search lights with an IR night vision sight located diagonally left above the gun. In 1993, a laser range finder was added but the tank could also use coincidence rangefinding and GPS incorporated references for ranging targets. Later on, a gunner's independent sight and thermal vision mode for both the GIS and GPS was introduced. Later models included a module to connect to the Tarsan battle net communication network and more powerful computer suites. Early 21st century models received friend/foe identification computers and damage control devices.
Soft and Hard-kill Countermeasures
The first line of models incorporated a rack of 9 smoke grenade launchers on both sides of the turret giving them an 18 in total. Later variants increased this to 12 (24 in total) on both sides when the launchers had to be relocated to fit the forward ERA tiles. The smoke grenades produce a think smoke that hides the tank and surrounding area visually. The heat smoke gives off an infra-red signature which hides the tanks own and can disrupt lasers and reflect radar. Later models introduced a jamming system using a strong light that mimics the reference signal of wire and radio guided anti-tank missiles. This lights were mounted on the front of the tank beside the gun. The lights could be turned toggled via switch inside the tank.
Models from 1995 onward incorporated the KiteShield active protection system, which was designed to intercept anti-tank missiles and rocket propelled grenades. The system used a single Doppler-pulse radar mounted on the top of the turret to find, track and intercept incoming projectiles. Once it classed an incoming target as a threat, it would send a command to any significant rotating intercept-modules that sit on the sides of the vehicle. These would fire a blast of metal pellets at the incoming missiles or RPG which were able to disable the fire mechanism or destroy the projectile. It had a very small kill zone so as not to endanger personnel near the vehicle. The system could engage multiple-threats from different directions. In addition, the radar also added a direction warning system to the crew, which provided both warning of an imminent attack and the option to retaliate.
Armament
The main armament of the T80125 was the 12.5cm G02T L/43 smoothbore tank cannon manufactured by Anacom Industries. It was capable of effectively engaging and destroying any tank fielded when it came out in 1978. The effective range using APFSDS extendws to a little over 2km but penetration lessened over greater and greater distances. Using an HE-frag shell, it could reach distances beyond 12km at max elevation. The the recommended effective range was 4km with ordinary shells. ATGM capability was added to the vehicle in 1983 with a main gun upgrade. The gun had a velocity of 1900 to 2000m/s and the tank could carry 45 rounds in total. The loader had two modes, the gunner selected the type of round manually or sets it to sequence where it automatically kept loading the type of round the loader selected. When the weapon fired, the empty charge case ejected into a holder which was in turn discarded automatically by a separate mechanism during the loading cycle. The gun had a bore extractor to remove any poisonous fumes. Later series added a muzzle-drop compensator to improve accuracy on the move.
Variants
- T80125-M1 - Initial production model ordered in 1980. Sported the G02T 125mm smoothbore main gun. This was the only variant with a right mounted searchlight. It was produced at the Alderia-Anacom Armour Plant in Palagea until 1982 when production was switched over to the Mark 2.
- T80125-M1E - Export version of the M1 released in 1981. The model had decreased armor, downgraded internal systems, and additional cost saving measures.
- T80125-M2 - 1982 upgrade with a gas turbine engine and a newly designed thermal sighting system. Upgrades to the gun stabilization and the relocation of the searchlight to the right side rounded out the Mark 2.
- T80ARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle produced in 1983 off of the Mark II chassis. Half of the production run was offered in gas turbine and half in diesel. Produced in small numbers right up to the turn of the century.
- T80EV - Engineering vehicle that entered production in 1984. Half of all produced vehicles were equipped with a heavy bucket scoop and the other half with a bulldozer blade and crane.
- T80125-M3 - Introduced in 1985 as the primary production upgrade. Included Explosive Reactive Armor and a new autoloader system for firing ATGMs. Featured the new G03T 125mm main gun over the older G02T. The front armor angle was changed to 30 degrees for increased shot deflection.
- T80125-M3E - Export variant featuring Mark 2 pre upgrade systems but retaining the upgraded gun. Offered with a 1,200 horsepower diesel engine instead of a gas turbine.
- T80ABL - Entered production in 1986 as an armored bridge layer based on the T80125 chassis. Capable of deploying a twenty meter bridge.
- T80125-M4 - Introduced in 1988 as an extensive modernization of the T80125. It included a modified turret design, increased armor, and a modified suspension system. A more powerful 1600 horsepower gas turbine increased the top speed slightly. Plastic armor track skirts covered the upper part of the suspension with separate panels protecting the sides of the fuel and stowage panniers instead of the flipper type armor panels used in older variants. The turret front and top were heavily reinforced with composite armor and provisions for mounting reactive armor were added. An electronic fire control system, additional smoke grenade launchers, and a new optical sight were added.
- T80125-M5 - 1993 upgrade featuring the newly redesigned FVJS81 fire control system and a better gunsight system featuring thermal, night vision, and a laser range finder. A series of composite panels to reduce heat signature were placed around the front of the vehicle. The turret was further upgraded with different shot deflection angles and thicker armor. The turret front and top were heavily reinforced with composite armor. Appliqué armor was applied to the front of the hull. Laser-guided antitank missile capability was added as well as the new G03TB main gun. Additional mounts for more ERA bricks were added around the vehicle.
- T80125-M5E - Export variant with Mark 4 era systems though retaining the new gun and armor upgrades from the Mark 4.
- T80125-M6 - Released in 1994 as the military was looking to cut operations costs per vehicle. The gas turbine was removed for a diesel engine producing 1800 horsepower. Featured additional weight saving, lighter aluminum materials on the drive train.
- T80125-M7 - A version of the vehicle released in 1998. Featured A newly shaped turret with an ammunition stowage compartment in the rear that allowed for additional rounds to be carried. The new G04T 125mm smoothbore gun replaced the older G03TB. A highly advanced computerized fire control system that took over and integrated many functions of previous generation systems was installed. Additional armor was placed on the forward slope and frontal turret of the vehicle. A redesigned revolver autoloader and ballistics reference computer round out the upgrades.
- T80125-M7E - Export variant of the Mark 7 aimed at attracting Middle Eastern customers. Exported to
- T80125-M8 - The Mark 8 was the final military production variant introduced in 2002 before production was halted. The frontal arc was sloped slightly more to 40 degrees, creating additional room for the driver. An updated fully modern fire control system that combined the full functions of the vehicle's offensive capabilities was introduced. Turret armor was further reinforced and the engine was upgraded slightly to increase efficiency and fuel savings. The variant was fully equipped with a newly introduced friend/foe identification system as well as a new damage management system.
- T80125-M9 - Comprehensive post production upgrade introduced by Alderia in 2010 featuring an entirely new fire control system. A more space conscientious autoloader system gives the crew a slight increase on available movement room inside the vehicle. A new triple layer armor scheme featuring rolled homogeneous steel, ceramics, and advanced composites along with a top layer of non-explosive reactive armor offers more protection. Modifications to the turret, including more armored angles and an increased height, provide more protection and movement room for the crew. The G04TB L/56 gun was introduced on this variant. The vehicle was solely slated for export but the Legion has shown interest in applying the armor and computer system upgrades to 320 vehicles still in service with main line divisions. Shown at the 2011 Marvius International Armaments Exposition to several export customers.
- T80125-M10E - Building on the M9 variant, the T80125-M10E is the newest development of the T80125 platform for export customers; the tank retains fully manual control for its weaponry, unlike the T80135. The tank also incorporates the fully autonomous heavy machine gun emplacement and an upgraded electronics and camera framework. The G04TB L/56 gun was streamlined compared to its original iteration on this variant. The vehicle was solely slated for export and developed to Enyaman Ground Forces specifications, but is available to a global market; in many ways, it is a cheaper alternative to the T80135 and T13125 tanks.
- T80135 - Newly released variant featuring a powerful new Aegis Core Master Processing Suite, which was developed off of the advanced avionics employed on the Me-550. Combining the entirety of the processing systems into one electronic brain, the ACMPS was developed to make the turret fully autonomous, which represents a significant upgrade for the older design. Further improvements to the armor with additional strengthening along the frontal slope as well as the new 13.5cm T135a L/52 tank gun will significantly improve the vehicle. The T80135 marks the first combat ready autonomous tank turret in Tarsan service with the T13125 Atlos expected to follow.