New T-80BVM modernization Sosna-U housing close-up

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As covered in a previous article, New Omsktransmash T-80BVM modernization batch, a new Sosna-U sight housing has been installed, featuring several mechanical adjustments. The old design featured a bolted cover, which had to be manually removed by the crew. 
The new version features 2 mechanical cylinders: the 1st cylinder operates the shutter hinge while the 2nd cylinder acts as a locking mechanism. 

Comparing the housing to other designs present on tanks such as the BMPT or T-90M, the Omsk approach uses a more complex solution. Pull cables are attached to the handles to pull the pins in the cylinders, compressing the springs inside. The lower pin releases the cover lock. Additionally, the lock can be disabled by sliding it up the groove. The cylinder on the side opens the housing shutter. Releasing the handles by turning them, the springs will close the lid and fix it in place to then be locked by the lower cylinder. 

It is possible that Omsk engineers saw an issue in the current pull-string and spring-loaded sight shutters and opted into making a more "robust" design, but it is difficult to guess the true intentions. Regarding the functionality of the sight it is still partially unknown how the mechanics are operated. 


If more information or video footage on this sight appears, I will update this page with further information. 


 Taken from: OvB-VK

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