War Thunder is preparing to expand its audience and move to a new 4+ age rating. A special "TailSpin" aviation event starts in our game, with a visual style and physics adapted for the widest possible audience. Everyone knows that in April we test new game mechanics and features. This time you have a chance to try the new version of the graphics and physics model, as well as feel what the whole game will be like in the near future! Moreover, changes in the game environment will make an upcoming port of the game to mobile platforms easier.

While the new ratings are pending, we present to you a special aviation event, “TailSpin”!


https://youtu.be/Hue4KqeOhlE
The skies over Cape Somerset bay are restless again - opposing clans from the Republic of Air Pirates decided to find out who should be the master of the region of the magical Soaring Rocks. Become one of the dashing air corsairs in the epic battle between pirate squadrons! Prove your skills to the clan and get new, even more powerful aircraft!

To win a mission, destroy enemy planes or bomb the zeppelin mothership!


"Tail Spin" Decal


Pilot icon “Fox”


Pilot icon “Bear”

• For the first five defeated opponents or provided support, we give a commemorative "TailSpin" decal.
  
• For 100 defeated opponents or provided support, get the "Fox" pilot icon (after the end of the event, the Fox will turn into a human pilot)
  
• For 150 defeated opponents or rendered supports, get the pilot "Bear" icon (after the end of the event, the Bear will turn into a human pilot)
  
• For 300 defeated opponents or provided supports, the title "Air Pirate" is awarded

Check out the full article here!

What will military technology be like in the future? Welcome to the battlefield of 2077: laser tanks, smart missiles, military drones and optical camouflage!

War does change!

https://youtu.be/GmS8Ajd8s_0


You get control of combat vehicles, the concept of which is considered perspective in modern armies of the world. This is war in a new way, using digital technology, the latest types of weapons and camouflage.


Developed in the late 2050’s, the Minotaur MBT is one of the best examples of 6th generation tanks. An unmanned turret, high-precision kinetic ammunition and missile weaponry, a complex of active protection, as well as an optical camouflage system that allows you to camouflage a tank in the visible and infrared spectrums.

The 140mm gun with composite barrel bore operates with several types of projectiles, including APFSDS, an armor-piercing cumulative projectile with a multifunctional remote fuse, as well as a guided shell able to detonate over a target. The Minotaur is the most heavily defended combat unit on the battlefield, capable of surviving multiple hits and, at the same time, effectively conduct combat operations, guaranteeing the highest level of safety for the crew.

The armoring around the crewed compartment is made from a special composite that does not create secondary fragments after penetration. This tank has the heaviest frontal armor package on the battlefield, supplemented by ERA modules on the hull’s upper and lower plates that gives the Minotaur protection against its own shell types at point-blank range. An unique complex of active protection capable of detecting and destroying most types of weapons at distance, including kinetic armor-piercing projectiles and airborne guided weapons.


The Hydra missile tank is built on the single base with the Minotaur MBT. The vehicle is devoid of most active protection systems, but it provides a unique ability to engage targets from cover, including without direct visual contact with the enemy.

In the fighting compartment of the "Hydra" there is an installation for monitoring and launching vertical take-off missiles, the operation of which is provided in automatic or semi-automatic mode. To detect and lock onto targets outside of direct visual contact, the missile tank is equipped with a retractable periscope with a complex of digital-optical equipment, as well as an installation for launching "Gryphon" series reconnaissance drones/loitering munitions. The passive protection in the Hydra tank provides all-round protection and protection in the upper hemisphere from single hits of cumulative ammunition and missiles.


The unified “Harpy” air and missile defense complex is designed to detect and engage low-flying air targets of all types, including unmanned aerial vehicles and guided missiles.

The main calibre of the complex is a rapid-fire automatic cannon, with armor-piercing rounds, high-explosive fragmentation shells with an intelligent contact-remote fuse, as well as guided shells. The “Harpy” features surface-to-air “fire and forget” missiles. The automatic radar system “Aegis-11” includes a radar and a high-energy laser for detecting and hitting light air targets without operator input.


Designed to intercept and destroy air targets, as well as deliver missile and bomb strikes and defeat armored vehicles with high-precision weapons. It is controlled remotely via a digital encrypted communication channel.

The construction from high-strength composites and alloys allows the vehicle to withstand significant overload, which ensures a high level of maneuverability even at maximum combat loads. The modular pre-launch preparation of the drone makes it possible in the shortest possible time to configure the device to perform the combat missions of a fighter-interceptor, attack aircraft or fighter-bomber. Light-absorbing panels in the hull plating provide the device with an average level of resistance to laser weapons.

Check out the full article here!

Yūgure was a Fletcher-class destroyer originally operated by the U.S. during WWII and loaned to the Japanese Navy in the late 1950’s. Soon, captains will have the chance to command Yūgure as she becomes available as one of the top prizes in the upcoming crafting event, beginning soon in War Thunder!

Yūgure will be one of the top prizes awaiting captains and participants in the upcoming event taking place in War Thunder soon. As a Fletcher destroyer, Yūgure retained many of this class’ signature features, such as its excellent versatility, while also incorporating some changes made by Japanese shipbuilders during her postwar service.





All captains will have the chance to commission Yūgure into their battle fleet by taking part in the upcoming crafting event, starting soon in War Thunder. Stay tuned and calm seas!

Check out the full Dev Blog article here!

The new Swedish Starter Pack includes a premium Strv m/41 tank and a Fokker D.XXI fighter, which, along with an ample amount of Silver Lions and Premium Account days, will ensure confident victories and rapid development in the early ranks of War Thunder!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1582830

The German Phantom II in a special export version and with a unique camouflage for completing tasks in the upcoming crafting event in War Thunder!

The German version of the iconic American F-4F Phantom II jet fighter will be one of the most desired rewards in the April crafting event in War Thunder. The F-4F is an early version of the fighter; in one of the upcoming major updates, the Luftwaffe will also receive a representative of the “Phantom II” series in the regular tech tree. The early F-4F Phantom II can be yours for free in the near future!



Despite the fact that the export version of the avionics of the F-4F does not have modes designed to work with the air-to-surface missiles, it is still a great high-rank fighter and one of the best aircraft in the game. So, the German "Phantom II'' in a nutshell has a maximum speed of Mach 2 (at high altitudes), an excellent selection of available armament, and a unique evil grin camouflage on its nose. A pilot is free to choose from a variety of weapons: bombs up to 2,000 pounds, Mighty Mouse and Zuni rockets, 20mm Vulcan gunpods and three modifications of the deadly Sidewinder air-to-air missiles: AIM-9B FGW-2, AIM-9E and AIM-9J.



The top-tier German "Phantom" will be yours for completing the big April crafting event. More details are coming, stay tuned!

• Scenery destruction has been temporarily disabled in the “Seversk-13” location due to performance issues.

The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

An experimental Soviet SPG SU-76D will be an award in the upcoming crafting event in War Thunder!

SU-76D is a premium low-rank tank destroyer that will be one of the prizes of the new crafting event in War Thunder. The idea of ​​creating this vehicle is very interesting and unusual for Soviet tank engineering - a light tank destroyer with the lowest profile possible, a closed cabin and an inclined arrangement of armor plates in the front projection. The same principles underlie the design of the excellent German Hetzer tank hunter, which, unlike Soviet vehicles, was produced in large numbers and proved to be effective in combat.

The SU-76D, built on the chassis of the T-70 light tank, has rather mediocre protection: even in the front projection, the self-propelled gun can be penetrated by almost all opponents, which is typical for most low-rank vehicles. However, the closed cabin will save the crew from machine guns of enemy anti-aircraft guns and aviation. The 76mm F-34 cannon has a range of shells from the early versions of T-34 tank with their versatile APHE rounds, and a barrel length useful for lower ranks, which ensures penetration in almost all enemies on the battlefield. The SU-76D's mobility is average - despite its lighter weight, the power of the diesel engine is not enough here, but on flat solid surfaces the self-propelled gun quickly develops a speed of up to 36 kph.





The SU-76D is an interesting entry-level self-propelled gun with a good gun and premium status. You can get the new SPG in your hangar by completing simple tasks of the upcoming War Thunder April’s crafting event - stay tuned to our news!

Check out the full Dev Blog article here!

Sicily (test version):

• Added AI aircraft presets for rank 6 battles to those templates where it was required, as well as where the same aircraft preset was used beginning at rank V.
  
• German aircraft in AI presets have been replaced with Italian aircraft.
  
• All aircraft AI presets for all ranks have been changed.
  
• The number of ground vehicles involved in the logic of the mission has been reduced in order to assess the load on the server and possibly fix errors that might arise due to a large number of simultaneously active AI vehicles. These errors might cause a lack of equipment in ground battles and in convoys.
  
• The M163 airfield anti-aircraft guns, which were used in high rank battles, have been replaced with the M247 and Gepard.

The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

• The method of sound generation for aircraft cannons and machine guns has been corrected so that the change of fire rate with a gun change in the range of 1000-1600 rpm is now more distinctive by ear (e.g., MG-17 and MG-81).
  
• A mechanism has been created to distinguish hits from a player's weapon to an enemy in the sound mix, and does not change the surrounding sound picture when allies/enemies hit a nearby vehicle. Previously, any hit to a nearby unit decreased the volume of some elements of the mix, which sometimes led to unobvious changes in general volume.
  
• The sound of ground vehicle engines has received significantly greater dynamics (the change in engine operating mode has become much more noticeable by ear). This applies to both player and enemy vehicles and makes these sounds more noticeable in the sound mix of the game.
  
• A bug has been fixed with a close flight of aircraft in some cases might reduce the volume of the ground vehicles’ engines and the firing of guns around a player.
  
• The volume of the sounds of destruction of some objects around a player's ground vehicles has been increased.
  
• A bug has been fixed with some rockets/missiles exploding with the sound of self-destruction in the air when hitting objects. Since self-destruction is much quieter than an explosion on contact with an obstacle, the impression might be created that the rockets/missiles have exploded silently.
  
• Coastal and blue-water fleet gunfire sounds have been adjusted to better match the change in the volume balance of explosions.
  
• In the sound of explosions on the sea, a layer of a falling mass of water is now highlighted.
  
• A bug has been fixed with the sound of a wave hitting the side of some small fleet boats matched that of a large ship.

All missions:

• A bug which caused ground convoys to continue moving deeper into enemy territory after the movement scenario had stopped has been fixed.
  
• A bug where new convoys would cease to appear after several convoys reached their destination points has been fixed.
  
• Mission "Sicily" has been disabled from rotation, but it can still be used when creating custom battles. This mission now uses new mechanics, with various changes and fixes. If you want to help us with testing, then create a room, play and share your impressions on our forums.

All Enduring Confrontation missions (including testing on“Sicily”):

• Some airfields are still unable to be damaged, and repairing on them may be hard or impossible. A fix has already been implemented into the code and is currently being tested.
  
• If a convoy reaches a square with an ongoing battle, It is possible for a new battle to start within that square.

• New airfield mechanics have been introduced which support a varying number of airfields of differing sizes, based on rank. Also, mechanics related to the destruction of an airfield, due to movement of the front line, have been reworked, which should solve the problems with non-disappearing airfields.
  
• The number of airfields in the mission, and their respective sizes, will now depend on rank.
  
• Low ranks:
  • 3 close airfields;
    
  • 2 medium airfields;
    
  • 2 distant airfields.
• Mid ranks:
  • 2 close airfields;
    
  • 2 medium airfields;
    
  • 2 distant airfields.
• High ranks:
  • No close airfields;
    
  • 2 medium airfields;
    
  • 2 distant airfields.
• Airfield positions for all ranks have been revised to improve their overall distribution and to unify the distances between them. Previously, distant airfields were too close to the center of the map.
  
• Bombers are unable to respawn on close airfields.
  
• For airfields in high-rank battles (including those of the German team), M61 Vulcan guns are now used instead of 37-mm war-time AA guns. The 88-mm anti-aircraft guns have not changed.
  
• A bug with the generation of air capture zones, whereby a new capture zone could appear while the previous one was active, has been fixed.
  
• The position of one of the bases for bombing in the “Sicily” mission, that was at the very edge of the map in the ‘A-5’ square, has been fixed.
  
• In the “Sicily” mission squares D-6 and F-7 which were marked as “sea” by a mistake are now marked again as “land”. Ground battles can take place in them and the front line will be drawn correctly. Also issues with incorrect displaying of the front line on all squares touching the sea have been fixed. Now the front line doesn’t break by not reaching the cost line and it will not be drawn on the sea area.

We are starting to work on a new game mode for ground vehicles! It features story-driven PvE missions that you will be able to complete with your friends.

The test is available for everyone from 13:00 GMT on the 22nd of March until 13:00 GMT on the 24th of March in the Events and Tournaments tab.

We invite you to try the first 3 missions of the game mode:

• Eastern Front 1941 (Poland) - German Pz. III F’s are under the control of players. To participate it is necessary to have one vehicle in the hangar of rank II or above.
  
• Eastern Front 1943 (Fire Arc) - Soviet Т-34-57’s are under the control of players. To participate it is necessary to have one vehicle in the hangar of rank IV or above.
  
• Middle East 1973 (Sinai) - US M48A1’s are under the control of players. To participate it is necessary to have one vehicle in the hangar of rank V or above.

Each mission consists of 3 stages: offensive, clearance and defense.

1. As part of the offensive, your team must break through to the capture zone, while destroying the forces of the defending AI opponents which have anti-tank cannons and ground vehicles.
   
2. The cleanup stage will take place on the city streets. At the end of it you will have time to prepare for the most important part of the battle.
   
3. In the final phase the enemy will try to re-capture the city in a massive offensive. Enemy vehicles that break into the city will take the advantage scores until you will destroy them. You will lose if you allow the enemy to dominate the city.

• Testing will be carried out in AB game mode.
  
• In a mission, the player will receive a vehicle with a preset crew level and all modifications except artillery support.
  
• Economy and achievements in the missions are switched off. There are no additional or other special awards in this testing phase.
  
• The test may be closed ahead of schedule for technical reasons.

We plan to improve missions based on your feedback and test results. We also plan to add random events and secondary tasks, introduce new game mechanics and also develop a few more scenarios.

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