PoondolotoPandalum
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Can you tell more how did they do the armata transmission?
Not much is known publically, but Russian sources have claimed it to be a new electromechanical system. The idea is (allegedly) electromechanical gearboxes have lower parasitic power losses than hydromechanical or hydrostatic transmissions, and much more lightweight/compact.
Soviet vehicles did use modern hydromechanical transmissions on their newer generation of vehicles during the 80s. For example, BMP-3, BMD-4, anything with a GM chassis (like Tunguska, Tor-m1, Kub, etc) all had mechanical transmissions and steering-wheel controls. Whereas the tanks (T-72/T-80/T-64) remained fairly conservative designs, as they were designed in the 60s.
Instead of developing a single 3rd generation MBT like everyone else, the Soviets had this mess of dealing with three main Tank plants that were set (by the politburo) to compete with each other. Believe it or not, they had plans to replace T-72/T-80/T-64 based tanks with a single 3rd generation MBT with much more advanced features. They demonstrated a few very promising prototypes, but they never came to fruition due to a combination of political, economic, and logistical factors. But a lot of the technology and experience used on those programs ended up in the Armata.
Technologically, the Soviets were soaring ahead right until the collapse of the USSR, despite economic turmoils. There were a lot of really cool, ultra-ambitious projects (even by US standards) realized during that period. Most of them were shelved after the collapse of the USSR, due to lack of funding. Then Putin came along later, promising to revive a lot of those Soviet-era projects. He didn't specify which ones. But alot of the modern Russian superweapons, from Armata to Tsirkon, Project Kanyon, Sarmat, and Avantguard ICBMs, have their origins in the USSR.