Object 478

After the adoption of the T-80 tank, the Soviets started on improving its design. The work was done by two design bureaus; the KMDB of Malyshev Plant designed the "Object 478" prototype, and the design office of the LKZ designed the "Object 219" prototype. The Kharkov version of the modernized T-80 chassis involved equipping Object 219 with a 6TD-1 1000 horsepower diesel engine as well as installing a new combat compartment being developed for the modernization of the T-64A under the designation of Object 476. In 1976, this project was carried out on the machine, but further work on it was not continued as the main focus at the time was on the gas turbine engine. After the death of Defence Minister Dmitry Ustinov, the strength of the design bureau of the LKZ began to weaken and the Ministry of Defense started to think seriously about equipping the T-80 tanks with diesel engines. Work on equipping the T-80 tanks with diesel engines was carried out by several design offices. The Omsk Transport Engineering Design Bureau was tasked to equip the T-80 with the B-46-6 engine (this tank received the designation "Object 644"). KB-3 of the LKZ was also tasked to equip the T-80 with the 2B-16-2 engine, but both projects failed. At the same time, work was intensified on the creation of the Object 478 tank. In 1985, work began on the Object 478B. It was subsequently adopted into service under the name T-80UD.[1]

The Object 478 has a new cast turret, invented when creating the Object 476 tank. The chassis was borrowed from the "Object 219A" tank, but the engine was replaced with the 6TD-1 diesel. The main armament of the tank was the 125 mm 2А46М-1 smooth-bore tank gun with 42 rounds of ammunition. The gun was equipped with the "Vector-4" stabilizer; a 7.62-mm PKT machine gun with 1,500 rounds of ammunition . To combat air targets and light armored vehicles, the commander was also equipped with a 12.7 mm caliber turret-mounted NSV anti-aircraft heavy machine gun with 450 rounds of ammunition. In addition, Object 478 was equipped with the 9K112 "Cobra" (NATO reporting name: AT-8 Songster) guided weapon.

• Object 478 - Basic Version
• Object 478M - A radically modified version with a 1,500 hp diesel engine
• Object 478B - The T-80UD main battle tank

•  Ukraine - The only surviving example is located at the National Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 in Kiev.

Object 478 in Museum of the Great Patriotic War, Kiev:

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Object 478.

• Object 478 (T-80UD Prototipe) Walkaround