Editing T-80 (section)

== History ==
=== Development ===
The project to build the first Soviet turbine powered tank began in 1949. Its designer was A. Ch. Starostienko, who worked at the [[Leningrad Kirov Plant]] (LKZ). The tank was never built because available turbine engines were of very poor quality.

In 1955, two prototype 1,000&nbsp;hp (746&nbsp;kW) turbine engines were built at the same plant under the guidance of G. A. Ogloblin. Two years later a team led by [[Josef Kotin]] constructed two prototypes of the Object 278 tank. Both were hybrids of the [[IS-7]] and the [[T-10 Heavy Tank|T-10]] heavy tanks, powered by the GTD-1 turbine engine, weighing 53.5 tonnes and armed with an M65 130&nbsp;mm tank gun. The turbine engine allowed the tank to reach a maximum speed of {{convert|57.3|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}, however with only 1,950 liters of fuel on board, their range was limited to only {{convert|300|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The two tanks were considered experimental vehicles and work on them eventually ceased.

In 1963, the [[Kharkiv Morozov Machine Building Design Bureau|Morozov Design Bureau]] designed the [[T-64]], normally powered by the [[5TDF]] diesel. They also experimented with the T-64T with GTD-3TL turbine engines which generated 700&nbsp;hp (522&nbsp;kW). This was tested until 1965. At the same time, at [[Uralvagonzavod]], a design team under the guidance of [[Leonid N. Kartsev]] created the Object 167T tank. In 1964, in its report to [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|First Secretary]] [[Nikita Khrushchev]], the team reported that the design was not worth pursuing partly due to its high fuel use.{{sfn|Kolekcja Czołgi Świata|pp=1–2}}{{sfn|Sewell|1998}}

[[File:T-80 during maneuvers.JPEG|thumb|left|Soviet T-80 during manoeuvres, March 1986.]]
In 1960, Khrushchev ended all [[heavy tank]] programs. LKZ, concerned with the poor reliability of the 5TD diesel engine of the T-64, was freed to focus on [[gas turbine]] tank engine development. In 1967, the S. P. Izotov bureau at the [[Klimov|Klimov Research-Production Association]] was assigned to this project. Rather than re-purpose an existing helicopter engine, Izotov built the GTD-1000T from scratch.{{sfn|Zaloga|2009|pp=8–10}}

In 1966, the LKZ built the experimental Object 288 "rocket tank," powered by two [[Klimov GTD-350]] turbine engines from the [[Mil Mi-2]] helicopter, offering a combined power of 691&nbsp;hp (515&nbsp;kW). Trials indicated that twin propulsion was no better than the turbine engine which had been in development since 1968 at LKZ and [[Omsktransmash]].{{sfn|Kolekcja Czołgi Świata|p=2}}

==== Object 219 ====
The tank from LKZ equipped with this turbine engine was designed by [[Nikolay Popov]]. It was constructed in 1969 and designated ''Object 219 SP1''.{{sfn|Zaloga|2009|p=10}} It was essentially the T-64T powered by a GTD-1000T [[multi-fuel]] gas turbine engine producing up to 1,000&nbsp;hp (746&nbsp;kW). During the trials it became clear that the increased weight and dynamic characteristics required a complete redesign of the vehicle's suspension. The second prototype, designated ''Object 219 SP2'', received bigger drive sprockets and return rollers. The number of road wheels was increased from five to six. The construction of the turret was altered to use the same compartment, 125&nbsp;mm [[2A46 125 mm gun|2A46 tank gun]], [[autoloader]] and placement of ammunition as the T-64A. Some other equipment was borrowed from the T-64A. The LKZ plant built a series of prototypes based on Object 219 SP2.{{sfn|Kolekcja Czołgi Świata|p=2}}