The tank is intended to equip mechanized infantry and tank subunits of the Army, increase their fire-power, mobility, and protection.
The T-80U main battle tank has a classical layout. The tank is fitted with a 125mm smoothbore gun, coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and 12.7mm AD machine gun. The ammunition allowance comprises separate loading AP, APDS, HEAT, and HE-FRAG projectiles. Fire accuracy is achieved by the fire-control system (FCS) with rangefinder sight, stabilizer in two planes, ballistic computer, as well as high initial projectile velocity and barrel thermal sleeve.
The field-of-view stabilizer in two planes ensures effective firing on the move, while the infra-red sight permits firing at night. The armament system comprises: the 9K119 Refleks semi-automatic laser beam riding missile, 1G46 gunner sight and GTA-18 self-sustained auxiliary power unit used to provide electricity when the tank is stationary.
Thanks to tank armor protection, combat missions can be executed under heavy enemy fire. Coupled with the NBC system, the tank can be effectively employed in the mass destruction weapon environment. The hull and turret are protected by effective armor plating, including a combined armor with explosive reactive armor package for front parts and gill type armor panels for running gear. The T-80U is also provided with the NBC protection system.
Tank concealment is ensured by low-level of noise, smokeless discharge of gases from a gas-turbine engine, heat insulation of the roof and shutters, ventilation of an engine-transmission compartment, the absence of large heated spaces in radiators of the cooling system, smoke laying system, smoke discharger and camouflage painting.
The T-80U is powered by the GTD-1250 powerful gasturbine engine developing 920 kW (1,250 hp). The tank mobility is also ensured by the planetary power transmission controlled by hydraulic servo-system, track and suspension system with RMSh track and rubber-tyred road wheels, torsion bar suspension with hydraulic telescopic double-acting shock absorbers. The tank can cover great distances, is easy to maneuver on the battlefield, operate under various weather conditions on any terrain and at any time of the day. The tank is easy to control, attains high speed, has low vibration loads and more comfortable habitable compartments for the crew.
| Weight overall, t | |
| Crew, men | |
| Engine | |
| Power, hp (kW) | |
| Transmission | |
| Propulsive device | |
| Track | |
| Suspension | |
| Shock absorbers | |
| Electrical equipment of direct current (D.C.), V | |
| Starter storage batteries: | |
| - number of batteries | |
| - total capacity, A.h | |
| Radio set | |
| Intercom for four men | |
| Ground pressure. kg/cm^2 | |
| Road speed, km/h: | |
| - on dry earth road | |
| - on highway | |
| - max speed | |
| Fuel consumption for 100 km/ltr: | |
| - on earth road | |
| - on highway | |
| Fuel endurances km: | |
| - on earth road with main fuel tanks | |
| - with extra fuel drums | |
| - on highway with main fuel tanks | |
| - with extra fuel arums | |
| Negotiable obstacles: | |
| - gradient, deg. | |
| - side slope, deg. | |
| - trench, m | |
| Fording depth, m | |
| - without preparation | |
| - with preparation | |
| - with OPVT snorkel | |
| Main dimensions, mm. | |
| - length (gun forwards) | |
| - length (over hull) | |
| - length of track on ground | |
| - width (over tracks) | |
| - width (over gill armor panels) | |
| - track | |
| - height (over turret root) | |
| - ground clearance | |
| Armament: | |
| Ammunition: | |
| - for 125mm 2A46M-1 gun, rds | |
| - for 7.62mm machine gun, cartridges, | |
| - for 12.7mm AD machine gun, cartridges | |
| Gun rounds | |
| Loading mechanism | |
| Carousel container capacity, rds | |
| Fire-control system: | |
| Tank protection | |
| NBC protection | |
| Fire-fighting system | |
| Orientation devices: | |
| Azimuth indicator of turret rotation | |
`Russia's Arms` catalog, 1996-1997