BTR-80

The BTR-80 (Russian: бронетранспортер/Bronetransporter, literally "Armoured Transporter") is an 8x8 wheeled amphibious armoured personnel carrier (APC) designed in the USSR. It was adopted in 1986 and replaced the previous vehicles, the BTR-60 and BTR-70, in the Soviet Army.[2] It was first deployed during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

Description
The Soviets-based the BTR-80 on the BTR-70 APC. It has a single 260-hp, V-8 turbocharged, water-cooled, diesel engine, an improvement over the twin gasoline engines installed in the BTR-60 and BTR-70 vehicles. The reconfigured rear portion of the hull accommodates the new, single engine. The Soviets removed the roof chamfers of the modified BTR-70, raised the rear, and squared off the rearward-sloping engine compartment. Standard equipment includes TNPO vision blocks, TNP-B and TKN-3 optical devices for the driver and commander, an OU-3GA2M infrared search light, six 81 mm smoke grenade launchers 902V "Tucha", a radioset (R-173 or R-163-50U), an intercom, and hydrojets for amphibious propulsion.

Capabilities
The Soviets modified the truncated cone turret used on the BTR-70 for the BTR-80 by redesigning the mantlet. This allows the 14.5 mm (0.57 in) KPVT and coaxial 7.62 mm (0.3 in) PKT machine guns to be elevated to a maximum of 60 degrees. This high angle of fire is useful in engaging targets on steep slopes, in urban fighting, and for engaging low slow flying air targets.[3] The Soviets have also modified the design and positioning of the firing ports; the ports are now round, rather than tear-shaped, and have ball mounts similar to those used on the BMP-1. The forward firing ports now sit in angled recesses, which allows infantry to fire from the front of the vehicle.

The redesigned side doors are split horizontally. The upper portion opens forward; this gives dismounting troops some protection against small arms fire from the front of the vehicle. The lower portion opens down, forming a step. Six smoke grenade projectors are mounted on the rear of the turret.

The BTR-80 can climb a slope with up to 60% gradient and climb a vertical step of 0.5 m.[4]

Variants
BTR-80 (GAZ-5903) - armored personal carrier

BTR-82A - latest production version with improved armour, spall liners, more modern night vision device TKN-4GA-02, 30 mm (1 in) gun 2A72 (a lighter, less complex cousin of the 2A42), GLONASS navigation system and a more powerful engine of 300 hp. The prototype of the BTR-82A was shown for the first time in November 2009. The Ministry of Defense of Russia has formally adopted the armored personnel carrier BTR-82A. The corresponding order was signed by Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu in early 2013.[6] In a Syrian government TV channel report, BTR-82A is seen in battle in Syria around September 2015. The video shows BTR-82A crew members speaking Russian. It is widely suspected[by whom?] that Russian armoured vehicle units have been directly fighting anti-government groups in Syria.[7] Russia will integrate the AU-220M Baikal remote turret to the BTR-82A fitted with the AK-257 naval cannon firing the 57x348SR mm round at 120 rpm.[8]