The T-80's gas turbine provided strong acceleration, good cold-weather reliability, and less low-frequency noise than a comparable diesel. Its engine initially cost roughly as much as an entire earlier T-64, helping make the tank about three times as expensive as a contemporary T-72. Fuel consumption was almost twice that of a similar diesel and reduced operational range despite larger tanks, while dust threatened turbine blades in columns. Soviet engineers answered with a drivetrain that isolated the turbine from sudden mechanical shocks, cyclone air separation, and scheduled vibration and blow-through cleaning. The multi-fuel engine could burn jet fuel, diesel, or even low-octane petrol at reduced output, reflecting an expectation of limited logistical support. Improved suspension, optics, heating, armor, and autoloader reliability made the overall vehicle better received than the T-64. The passage is a compact lesson in systems engineering: impressive mobility depends on the fuel, maintenance procedures, and industrial cost needed to sustain it.
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The T-80 gas turbine's performance and logistical price
The T-80 gained acceleration, cold-weather performance, and reduced low-frequency noise from its turbine, but at exceptional cost in fuel, maintenance, and production.