[Coming Soon] T-80UM2: The "Drozd" APS Titan

The Big and Medium trophies contain the interesting Soviet MBT with unique active protection.

Historical note

The T-80UM2 was an experimental modernization of the serial T-80U tank, developed at the Omsk Transport Machine Building Plant in the 1990s. The key feature of this modification was the installation of the "Drozd" active protection system (APS), designed to intercept anti-tank missiles and grenades in flight.

The sole prototype was publicly unveiled in 1997. However, the vehicle never entered mass production due to the difficult economic situation of the period and shifting priorities in defense procurement. This project remained a unique technology demonstrator for active protection, which later found its development in more modern Russian tanks.

T-80UM2 (Rank XIII)

SWOT Analysis

Strengths: High protection in areas covered by ERA, APS, excellent mobility, effective shells, autoloader.
Weaknesses: Large ammo rack area, mediocre reverse speed, limited gun depression angles.
Opportunities: Breaking through defenses, flanking attacks.
Threats: Hits to the lower front plate (LFP) and the turret neck (“trap shot").

In battle

The T-80UM2 tank with the "Drozd" active protection system is a further evolution of the line of Soviet gas-turbine main battle tanks. Like all vehicles in the series, it retains the key advantages: high mobility thanks to a powerful gas-turbine engine and a mechanized ammunition storage system. The hallmark of the series is excellent protection. The steel armor base is reinforced with composite armor modules and elements of explosive reactive armor (ERA). And in the T-80UM2 modification, this is supplemented by an active protection system that destroys incoming anti-tank guided missiles by firing special countermeasure munitions.

The T-80UM2 is not only well-protected but also possesses high firepower. Its large, mechanized carousel-type autoloader holds several types of available shells, including two types of APFSDS, one of them with a penetration of about 530 mm, as well as ATGMs that can be launched from the gun barrel.

The new T-80UM2 is a tank with no glaring weaknesses and is set to become one of the best top-tier MBTs. However, it's worth remembering the inherent design features of modern Russian tanks, which the T-80UM2 has inherited in full. First is the very mediocre gun depression, which hinders effective combat from hull-down positions. Second is the huge, vulnerable carousel ammo rack of the autoloader, which tends to catch any shell that penetrates the hull and usually guarantees a one-way ticket to the hangar. Protect your sides!

Premium version of the T-80UM2 (Rank XIII)

The Premium variant is an extra tank for your hangar! The premium tank maintains the same performance as the standard variant, though it comes in a unique camouflage. With this premium tank you’ll be able to enjoy faster Silver Lion and Research Point gains, and earn some Golden Eagles in your battles.

If you’re lucky enough to unlock both the premium and the standard variants, you will be able to use them both in the same battle!

Premium version of the vehicle:

As a jackpot or as a random reward when attempting to open the Big Trophy.
By reaching the top-10 in the relevant Leaderboard.
From the Collector's Trophy after adding the vehicle to this trophy type;
In Special Offers.

Standard version of the vehicle:

As a jackpot or as a random reward when attempting to open the Medium Trophy.
Order vehicles for Silver Lions after collecting 1,000 blueprints.

Ways to get blueprints:

From the Medium Trophy: 700 pcs in the guaranteed reward, or 10 to 100 pcs per attempt.
From the Big Trophy: 700 pcs in the guaranteed reward, or 80 to 200 pcs per attempt.
In the in-game store: purchase for Silver Lions a Folder with a number of blueprints (even after the season ends).
In special offers.

*Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still work in progress and may differ on release.

The T-80UM2 (Rank XIII) can be obtained in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) from Medium or Big Trophies in the Tank Campaign with the start of the new Season.