#tanktwitter So a brief history of the development of T-80U and T-80UD and how it all started.

Everything started with a project to further improve T-64B design in form of a prototype Object 476. It had a new turret with new armor protection, and improved hull. One of many hull improvements was new 6TD engine instead of 5TD series.

However work on Object 476 was discontinued. Decision was made to use it's turret, further refine its design, and mount it on upgraded T-80B hull.

This work lead to Object 219A, this vehicle is designated also as T-80A. Here is also a video showing Object 219A development and further work on it.

Object 219A was further developed in to Object 219AS which would become known to a wider public as T-80U.

Meanwhile in Kharkiv, KMDB design bureau was working on Object 478, which used also upgraded Object 476 turret, and a modified T-80B hull with a 6TD diesel engine. Object 478 can still be seen standing in Kiev.

Object 478 was further developed in to Object 478B. Main difference was that Object 478 (and also Object 219A in it's initial form) just like Object 476 used 9K112 "Kobra" ATGM system. Object 478B as well as Object 219AS (and later examples of 219A) used 9K119 "Refleks" system.

And so a T-80UD was born, the most advanced series produced tank of the Soviet Union.

Interesting fact. While T-80UD uses 1ETs29 commander cupola system with remotely controlled machine gun mount. T-80U is a downgrade, using a simpler cupola system with completely ridiculous machine gun mount. On the right T-80UD with remote commander machine gun, on left T-80U.

In late 1990's and early 2000's, Ukraine KMDB design bureau, tested feasibility of replacing a standard T-80 suspension system in T-80UD with a T-64 style suspension. And so Object 478DU was created.

Object 478DU tests were successfull, but in the end it was not adopted. However further work was performed in prototype Object 478DU1 up to Object 478DU9. This work created the T-84 series.

Few Object 478DU Probably 478DU4 to 478DU8 were vehicles that were sold to USA. They were officialy called T-80UD, but in fact they represented T-84 series standard.

The pinacle of the 478DU series development are Object 478DU9-1/478DU9-T also known as T-84BM "Oplot" or BM "Oplot" and Object 478N also known as T-84-120 "Yatagan" or BM "Yatagan".