BTD-80

BTD-80C2 In 1998 Marnin Camouflage

### Armament

x1 32mm Piznatav PAH79T Autocannon, x1 7.71mm Pactovic Chernkal PVcT-63E MMG, x4 132mm ZTM-5 "Flyvet" ATGM

### Engine

Kamovet 78SD 320 hp Watercooled Multi Fuel V6 Engine

### Speed

65 km/h

The **BTD-80A** (*Batroyn Tavanky Derizchonik,* meaning "Armored Tank Infantry Tranpsort") is the Marnin 2nd generation amphibious infantry fighting Vehicle introduced in 1980 to the Marnin Marine Corps and Army following on the failed chassis of the UTP-66A Tracked APC.

## Development

In 1959, the newly reformed Marnin Army set out replace the now aging APCs in current service. However by the year 1967, it was soon determined that the current vehicle "did not live up to performance expectations", and after only 8 months in service, and 1,600 Tanks being produced, the tank was completely retired in favor of its wheeled counterpart. Of the 1,600 chassis produced, most were sold to foreign nations by 1970, however roughly 500 remained in storage and reserve in Marniya.

By the late 70s, Marniya had been developing a new autocannon, the 32mm Piznatav PAH79M1T Autocannon. The desire to mount it onto a new chassis was high within Marnin high commander, and after a further assessment of the aging and now renamed, BTD-66B3 (Formerly UTP-66A), the chassis was chosen. After modification to the size of the turret, and compacity of infantry/fuel, the marriage of the new 32mm Autocannon was complete.

Originally the vehicle mounted the ZTM-5 "Flyvet" ATGM, but by the 1990s, the newer ZTM-7 "Zayutm" would be mounted. Throughout it's history it would retain the same coaxial and main caliber gun due to the reliability and effectiveness of the system. By the time the tank was produced, it also received a Thermal Package based on the experience of combat in the dark snowy climates of Ludechlynovia's Mountains.

## Service History

### Marniya

A total of around 25,000 BTD-80s were produced from the period of 1980 to 1995. The tank was widely used by the major branches of the Marnin Military. Most interestingly by the airborne, which the vehicle saw mixed success in, as it was a light tank but incredibly wide for its class. In the Army and Marines the vehicle saw much better success as its amphibious capabilities gave it the ability to deploy from landing crafts and ford any depth of water. The vehicles highlight of combat was during performance in the GCC and combat in Ludechlynovia, where the vehicle proved its flexibility in combat.

In the early 90s, the Marnin Military started an upgrade plan to the vehicle that involved almost a complete redesign of the vehicle. The upgrades to the vehicle included a new power pack, Sandwich-Plate ERA and Light Modular Composite Elements, and it was renamed the BTD-80/92 (Due to the complete upgrade being pressed into service in 1992). The tank also received and upgrade in armament during the later variants of the BTD-80/92 in the year 1995. The BTD-80 continues to service in the major branches and was even pressed into service with the Marnin Ryblinkov Guard's Regiment as a "Heavy Riot Control Unit" being modified overall for such role.

### Al Rakhban

Al Rakhban ordered 1600 BTD-80s from Marniya in 1981. Despite the firepower upgrades over previous vehicles, the BTD-80 still played the role of a classic "battle taxi" APC. Despite use by cavalry units, the vehicles main use was with the Revolutionary Guard Marines, where its combination of amphibious capabilities and heavy firepower were well liked by troops. Among local modifications was the introduction of an air conditioning system, vital for the much warmer climates of Al Rakhban.

The vehicles first combat use in Rakhbani service was during their invasion of Rajastan. Performance was mixed, with the light armour being incredibly unsuitable for the heavy urban combat encountered in the campaign, while the high elevation angles on the autocannon were praised. This led to a rush upgrade in 1984, adding explosive reactive armour sandwich plates to aid survivability.

### Jasinovalkia

Following the Purchase of 2,100 Marnin BTD-80A2Js in 1981, the Government of Jansinovalkia had found their new tracked APC. In 1991, the decision was made to ask Savkowan to upgrade the ageing APCs, which by this time were barely upgraded from the base Marnin Variant A Thermal model. In 1993, the upgrade was put onto the BTD-80A2Js under the designation Agt.81-MB2(M) "Risa". The new upgrades included a new power pack and armament, but on top of that, a complete redesign of the tanks electronics and transmission, as well as new tracks. But most importantly the tank received a new armor package all round, from ceramic tiles to modular composite. The new upgrades meant the APC lost its amphibious capabilities in favor for protection from higher caliber weapons, and even autocannons.

### Kotapla

Kotaplan use of the UTP-66 and BTD-80 (Designated TPP-66 and BWD-80 in Kotaplan Service) started in 1966 after Kotapla received 750 UTP-66, designating them TPP-66. In 1980, Kotapla upgraded their fleet of TPP-66's to the TPP-66 to the Ulepšeno standard. (meaning "Upgrade" in Kotaplan) These modifications included adding the ZTM-5 ATGM and improved loading system. All TPP-66's were upgraded to the TPP-66UL standard by 1984. In 1981, a contract was signed to allow purchase of BTD-80's. By 1989, 350 had been purchased. In 1989, Kotapla was allowed to produce the BTD-80, and set up two factories producing them by 1991. Most TPP-60UL's have been put in storage or are in use by the Kotaplan Home Guards.

### Sayikoia

In 1966, Sayikoia received the remaining 350 UTP-66 from Marniya, purchasing 50 more. Sayikoia reverse engineered some of these vehicles, and began production of their own variant of the UTP-66, called the Type-77. In 1979, the Type-77A with a 25mm chaingun in a modified UTP-66 turret. Early Type-77A's were still fitted with the ZTM-3 from the UTP-66 until the tandem charge warhead version of the ATGM entered production. Alongside that, there were ZTM-5's that had been bought from Marniya. A handful of BTD-80's were bought in the mid 1980's to assist in the development of the ZHTA-89 IFV.

## Users

* Al Rakhban
	+ Rakhbani Army
	+ Peoples Revolutionary Guard Ground Force
	+ Peoples Revolutionary Guard Nautical Corps
* Kaalvarn
	+ 1st Royal Kaalvarnan Army Testing And Evaluation Battalion
* Jansinovalkia
	+ National People's Army Of Jansinovalkia
	+ National People's Naval Forces Of Jansinovalkia

* Kotalpa
	+ Kotaplan People's Army
	+ Kotaplan People's Navy
	+ Kotaplan Home Guard

* Marniya
	+ Marnin People's Army
	+ Marnin People's Marine Corps
	+ Marnin Ryblinkov Guard's Regiment
	+ Marnin People's Airbone Infantry
	+ Marnin Mission To The GCC
* Sayikoia
	+ People's Army Ground Forces
	+ People's Army Marines
	+ People's Navy

## Variants

### Marniya

* **Shasiv 787** - 1977 prototype of the BTD-80, using the unmodified chassis of the UTP-66A and the older 72mm Kranyatov KR65TV "Opon" Low Pressure Semi Automatic Gun, however the redesigned turret to accommodate the 32mm gun.
	+ **Shasiv 787(A)** - 1978 prototype with the new armor protection and production variant engine, as well as the ZTM-5 "Flyvet" ATGM, however still no autocannon, and the 72mm Kranyatov KR65TV "Opon" Low Pressure Semi Automatic Gun removed to make room for a weighted mockup of the 32mm Piznatav PAH79T Autocannon.
	+ **Shasiv 787(B)** - 1979 prototype now with the 32mm Piznatav PAH79T Autocannon, and all final systems on the vehicle apart from a few minor issues with engine reliability and ease of maintenance that were eventually ironed out before production commenced.

* **BTD-80A** - Initial 1980 production model.
	+ **BTD-80A2** - 1981 upgrade of the APC with improved turret "Savak" cheek armor and modifications to the ZTM-5 "Flyvet" ATGM. (1981)
	+ **BTD-80A3T** - 1983 upgrade to the ZTM-5 "Flyvet" ATGM as well as the addition of gunner thermal imaging. (1983)
	+ **BTD-80B** - 1985 model with an addition of more "Savak" cheek armor and some "Savak" to the lower front plate as well as the complete upgrade of the ATGM system to the ZTM-6 "Skolva".
	+ **BTD-80B2** - 1988 upgrade with more improvements to the "Savak" hull armor and adjustments to the FCS and engine, upgrading both to the M1 Variants.
	+ **BTD-80B3** - 1990 upgrade with major upgrades to the engine following a fault found in the reliability upgrading it to M2, and upgrades to the ZTM-6 "Skolva" ATGM.
	+ **BTD-80C** - 1993 model with the new ZTM-7 "Zayutm" Tandem Warhead ATGM.
	+ **BTD-80C2** - 1995 upgrade of the tank with new commander thermal imaging, as well as improved FCS and engine management systems, upgrading the gun to M2 and engine to M3.

* **BTD-80/92A** - Base production model of the complete upgrade 1992 urban combat variant with new sandwich plate "Avganka-4" ERA.
	+ **BTD-80/92A2** - 1995 upgrade with new thermal systems and the addition of "Vatak-2" modular composite.
	+ **BTD-80/92A3 -** 1997 upgrade with a new Kamovet 94M1SD 430hp Diesel V8 power pack in order to bring the power to weight ratio back up.

* **BTD-80A Through C2(R)** - Reconnaissance variants of the BTD-80, lacking any sort of ATGM system in exchange for improved commander's vision.
* **BTD-80A(ID)** - Combat engineering variant of the BTD-80, with the main armament replace with a recovery crane, and the main caliber armament consisting of a pintle mounted 13.6mm Pactovic Chernkal PVcB-39H3 HMG, replacing the ATGM.
* **BTD-80A(AP) -** Artillery support variant of the BTD-80 which completely replaces the internals with storage for ammunition, and removes the turret of the APC.

### Al Rakhban

* **BTD-80ar** - BTD-80A in Rakhbani service. Main difference is the addition of air conditioning systems.
	+ **BTD-84ar** - 1984 upgrade involving the addition of explosive reactive armour for better urban combat performance.
	+ **BTD-91ar** - 1991 upgrade involving upgrades to the powerpack and fire control system.

### Jasinovalkia

* **Agt.81(M) "Risa"** - First purchased 1981, BTD-80A2s for service in Jasinovalkia
	+ **Agt.81-MB1(M) "Risa-B"** - A 1993 upgrade of the at the time BTD-80B2 model BTD-80s. Featuring a new domestically made 32mm Itoshlev IR-80L Autocannon, new Savkowani made coaxial machine guns, smoke dischargers, and ARCO V ATGMs. As well as the upgrades to the armament and the FCS, came new MOSKOZ modular composite, as well as hollow storage boxes on the rear doors, and turret cheeks for added protection against shaped head projectiles.
	+ **Agt.81-MB2(M) "Risa-B2"** - Later upgrade of the B1, with the replacement of the ARCO V ATGMs, to TAPP IV ATGMs, and also a complete overall of the powerpack to the Ćańot TD81-T 410 hp 6 Cylinder Turbocharged Diesel Engine.