SMS Elbing is the second of two German WWI-era cruisers of the Pillau-class, previously ordered by the Imperial Russian Navy which were seized at the outbreak of The Great War. Soon, SMS Elbing will reinforce the early German cruiser lineup as it makes its way to War Thunder as part of the Drone Age major update!

Briefly: A German WWI-era light cruiser, initially built for the Russian Navy and outfitted with powerful 150 mm guns!


Features:

• Powerful cannons
  
• Torpedoes
  
• Low protection
  
• Lacks AA guns

In War Thunder, SMS Elbing will be a new light cruiser docking at rank III of the German bluewater fleet following the release of the next major update. Becoming one of the earliest light cruisers new captains will be able to unlock in the German naval tree, SMS Elbing will help smooth out the transition for captains moving up from destroyers to larger and more powerful vessels.






Upon obtaining SMS Elbing, captains will immediately take note of the much heavier firepower present on this ship when compared to most German destroyers they may have captained before. Instead of 12.7 cm guns, captains now have access to eight of the much more powerful 15 cm cannons, thus enabling them to not only deal greater damage to smaller vessels but also to effectively take on other cruisers with armor piercing ammunition. However, it’s worth noting that only four guns can be brought to bear on a broadside, with the fifth gun enabled at proper course angles. In addition, SMS Elbing’s arsenal is also complemented by four 52 mm utility cannons as well as a pair of 500mm torpedo launchers, mounted on each side of the ship respectively.


In contrast to SMS Elbing’s excellent firepower, the warship’s protection remains a bit lackluster. This is the first armored deck cruiser to the game - she lacks the armored belt, keeping the armor inside the hull as a 20mm horizontal deck with 40mm side plates. This layout protects the ship’s vital modules from salvos of HE rounds up to 150mm (6”), and AP rounds of up to 105mm (6”). The steering room has much better protection of 80 mm of armor.





However, thanks to its rather modest displacement and a powerful propulsion system, capable of generating 30,000 horsepower, SMS Elbing can reach a sound top speed of 27.5 kts (51 km/h). As a result, aspiring captains of this warship won’t need to worry about lagging behind their allies but captains also shouldn’t expect to lead the charge either. Yet, after considering the ship’s protection, this may not be such a bad thing after all. If anything, sticking closer to its allies will boost SMS Elbing’s odds of repelling an air attack given it lacks its own AA battery.



SMS Elbing is already headed for War Thunder naval battles and is expected to dock at player ports with the release of the next major update - Drone Age. In the meantime, be sure to keep scanning the horizon for more news and information regarding the upcoming update. Until then, calm seas and good hunting captains!

Your close-up shots were absolutely superb! So many screenshots, each capturing all of the intricate details of vehicles in War Thunder! War Thunder has never looked prettier! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!


Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen32. You have time until 16.09.2022 to submit your screenshot.

After that date, 6 winners will be selected (3 of which will be the highest rated by the community and 3 selected by our judges), each of which receive a reward of 300GE.

Important addition: Screenshot theme - Autocannon Special!

• Autocannons are everybody's favorite, right? All branches in War Thunder are equipped with some kind of autocannon, so let the drive-by’s, fly-by’s, and even sail-by’s roll in!
  
• You must add the #WTscreen32 tag (without other text).
  
• Screenshots need to be compliant with the War Thunder rules.
  
• You need to be the author of the screenshot.
  
• Screenshot needs to be new. You cannot use those which have previously been published or used in other competitions.
  
• We will only accept raw screenshots from the game. You cannot use any editing software nor any other visual enhancements (like Nvidia Ansel filters).
  
• You can use filters and settings built into War Thunder.
  
• You can use the replay functionality built into War Thunder.
  
• Rewards will be delivered to the author's account within 7 working days.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858780248
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858086818
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858059697

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858450505
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858803973
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2858919445

Each winner will get 300GE! Congratulations and see you next week!

The Rooivalk Mk1F CSH helicopter is a true marvel of the South African defense industry. Equipped with advanced technologies which allow it to engage and destroy large numbers of enemy tanks!


Features:

• Brilliant flight capabilities
  
• Long-range ZT-6 Mokopa ATGMs
  
• Air-to-air missiles
  
• Thermal imager

In War Thunder, the Rooivalk Mk1F comes as a new Premium attack helicopter at rank VI of the British helicopter tech tree. The aircraft will appear in our online store as part of a special pack immediately after the release of the Drone Age update. Born to the harsh conditions of Southern Africa and designed to operate in a high-threat environment, the concept of this attack helicopter rests on four pillars: “go unnoticed; if spotted, avoid being hit; if hit - continue the flight; if the flight is impossible, the flight crew must survive.” The Rooivalk Mk1F embodies the intentions of her creators as a fully-fledged world-class attack helicopter in terms of its flight characteristics, technologies used, and combat effectiveness.





As for its technical and flight characteristics, the Rooivalk Mk1F is not only on par with other modern attack helicopters from around the world but sometimes (for example, in terms of maximum hovering height) even surpasses them. The power plant of two Turbomeca Makila 1K2 turboshaft engines provides a top speed of over 300 km/h, while the strafe speed exceeds 90 km/h. The “brain” of the helicopter is a fully digital computer with two MFDs in the cockpit. The sighting system with information projected onto the pilot's visor includes a night vision device and a thermal imager, the nose turret with a 20-mm GI2 cannon is also synchronized with the position of the visor.





The helicopter’s suspended weapons options can be arranged for several combat tasks, which can include the excellent Mistral air-to-air missiles with all-aspect seekers, which work perfectly not only against enemy helicopters but also against enemy jet fighters. The remaining four suspension points can be equipped with new to the game ZT-6 Mokopa ATGMs with a tandem warhead, as well as 70mm HEAT rockets that can overcome up to 350 mm of tank armor.



You can purchase this modern African attack helicopter as part of a special pack in our online store, which will be available with the release of the Drone Age update. The patch is almost ready - we are waiting for the update with you!

• In-game chats have been temporarily disabled. Quick commands are available in the game sessions for players in your team and voice chat is active for squad members.

The current provided update notes reflect the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates and fixes may be not listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving all the time and certain fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

Golden Bay is a new location for naval and aircraft battles, which is coming in the Drone Age major update!

A narrow strait between a bay and the open ocean becomes a new arena for naval and aircraft clashes! Boats and patrol ships glide in the labyrinth of cargo ships and oil tankers, huddling in the bay after the firefight begins. Meanwhile, big ships are rushing the bay from the sea, leaving a majestic giant suspension bridge behind.

The new location, Golden Bay, was created based on the coastal features of the San-Francisco area with a picturesque view of the bridge over the straits. The land part of the location was inspired by the green hills and rocks to the East of the bay.



The Golden Bay location will be added to the game with the release of the upcoming Drone Age major update!

In the upcoming major update we plan to introduce the tech-tree of Chinese helicopters!

Hey all! The first Chinese helicopter introduced to War Thunder recently, the Premium Z-19E, is finally followed by a researchable tech tree of the Chinese helicopters! The first aircraft will land in the upcoming major update Drone Age.





The history of Chinese combat helicopters started with the adaptation of transport helicopters for combat purposes, as well as from researching foreign helicopters. Z-9WA was the first domestically built strike helicopter, which was created after the French Dauphin. A few projects were initiated soon after, including the light reconnaissance Z-11WA and the fairly successful Z-19. The first ‘heavy’ combat helicopter, the Z-10 was created with the assistance of the Russia-based Kamov design bureau.





Chinese helicopter weapons traveled the same way from reverse engineering and licensed production to the 100% domestically designed and built pieces. Already on the entry-level helicopters War Thunder pilots will have at their disposal the HJ-8C ATGM, with limited range, but equipped with a tandem warhead. Elegant and deadly Z-10 wields laser-guided AKD-9 and AKD-10 anti-tank missiles. Air-to-air TY-90 missiles with all-aspect seeker should also not go umentioned here, since they in fact are the best in the game helicopter weapon of this class to the date.



So, the first Chinese researchable helicopters in War Thunder are light and agile SA.342L Gazelle and Z-11WA, first domestically built strike helicopters Z-9W and Z-9WA, as well as modern advanced strike helicopters Z-19 and Z-10.

The Mirage 2000C-S5 is a further development of the well-known Mirage series of French jet fighters and represents the successor to the popular Mirage III preceding it. Coming to War Thunder as part of the Age of Drones major update, seasoned French pilots may look forward to the arrival of the Mirage 2000C-S5 as the new crowning jewel of the French aviation tree in the game!

Briefly: A later development of the Mirage jet fighter, focused on multirole capabilities and equipped with a wide assortment of advanced weapons.


Features:

• Excellent flight characteristics
  
• Advanced suspended weapons
  
• Supersonic
  
• Countermeasures

In War Thunder, the Mirage 2000C-S5 will become the new top jet fighter awaiting veteran pilots at rank VII of the French aviation tree after the release of the next major update, Drone Age. Going back to its iconic delta wing design and offering numerous improvements both concerning its flight characteristics as well as firepower, the Mirage 2000C-S5 will be a welcome upgrade for fans of the French original!

Discontinuing the transition over to more conventional swept wings as is the case with the preceding Mirage F1, French engineers took on a more ‘back to the roots’ approach with the Mirage 2000C-S5, resulting in a design more akin to that of the earlier series aircraft and one that’s instantly recognizable by keen-eyed War Thunder pilots. However, underneath the metal skin also lay a few more upgrades to the aircraft. Namely, the Mirage 2000C-S5 is equipped with a substantially more powerful SNECMA Atar M53-P2 turbofan engine, generating up to 9,500 kgf on afterburner and thus resulting in a top speed of 2350 km/h and boosts up a climb rate to 200 m/sec! The more powerful engine, combined with the improved design of the delta wing gives the Mirage 2000C-S5 better handling characteristics, particularly at lower altitudes and shortens the required take-off distance.





In terms of firepower, a pair of 30 mm DEFA cannons with 125 rounds of ammunition per barrel traditionally form the backbone of a Mirage’s arsenal and the Mirage 2000C-S5 is no exception. Fast-firing and hard-hitting, these cannons ensure the Mirage is capable of engaging its enemies, even when the suspended weapons have been used up. But speaking of suspended ordnance, did the Mirage 2000C-S5 get any upgrades in this regard you may ask?





Of course it did! In simple terms, the Mirage 2000C-S5 effectively combines the weapons arsenal of the earlier Mirage IIIE, Mirage 5F as well as the Mirage F1 into one platform. As a result, the Mirage 2000C-S5 has access to an exhaustive selection of suspended ordnance, giving the aircraft the ability to effectively strike both ground targets but also excel in dogfights. For the former, pilots will have access to a range of conventional bombs and rocket pods as well as guided weapons such as the AS-30 Nord missile. For aerial dogfights however, the Mirage 2000C-S5 has access to both the short-range Magic missiles and the powerful long-range Matra Super 530, including the Super 530F with extended range!



The Mirage 2000C-S5 is on final approach and is expected to arrive in player hangars as part of the next Drone Age update. In the meantime, make sure to keep a close watch on the news as we continue releasing more information about what other exciting new additions and features await you in the upcoming Age of Drones update. Until then, clear skies and happy hunting pilots!

• A bug has been fixed where the rocket's sight was displayed in the aircraft gunner’s camera.
  
• UH-1B, UH-1C XM-30, UH-1C — a bug has been fixed which prevented gun pod ammo from displaying.

The current provided update notes reflect the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates and fixes may be not listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving all the time and certain fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.

The T129 ATAK is a license-produced variant of the Italian A129 Mangusta attack helicopter, domestically modified and produced by Turkey for its own air force. Soon, this highly capable exotic will reinforce the Italian helicopter tree as it makes its may to War Thunder as part of the next major update Drone Age!


Features:

• Excellent agility
  
• Exclusive weapons
  
• Small silhouette
  
• Countermeasures
  
• Thermal imager

In War Thunder, the T129 ATAK will be a brand new Premium attack helicopter awaiting pilots at the top ranks of the Italian helicopter tree with the release of the next major update “Drone Age”. Sharing many similarities with its close Italian relative, this Turkish modification of the familiar Mangusta helicopter possesses an expanded selection of deadly anti-tank missiles, thus raising the capabilities of the Italian helicopter tree to better match that of other nations’. Interested to find out more? Then join us as we get into more details below!

Being a Turkish derivative of the AgustaWestland A129 already familiar to some pilots in War Thunder, it should come to no surprise that the T129 ATAK has much in common with the original Italian version. As a result, the T129 inherits the airframe’s excellent handling characteristics and small silhouette, making it an extremely elusive and difficult target to engage. Yet, despite receiving a pair of uprated engines, the T129 ATAK actually possesses a slower maximum speed, going up to only 281 km/h.





Compensating for the losses in speed however, Turkish engineers made sure to equip the T129 ATAK with a vast assortment of deadly weaponry. As a result, the T129 comes equipped as standard with the familiar three-barrelled 20mm rotary cannon. T129 ATAK also has access to Turkish L-UMTAS and CIRIT laser-guided missiles, which are unique to the game. L-UMTAS are laser-guided missiles possessing a tandem-charge warhead and launch distance of 8 km, allowing pilots to defeat reactive armor commonly found on high-tier vehicles. CIRIT are basically the Hydra rockets equipped with laser seeker. It has a 10 km launch distance, but the lock-on range is shorter and the missile lacks autopilot. You will be able to fire these little rockets as unguided, and then point a laser beam to the target in order to acquisite it for the seeker. Mind the minimal launch distance for the laser guidance of 1,500 meters. Experiment and have fun! Furthermore, the helicopter can also be equipped with FZ49 HEAT unguided rockets and ATAS (AIM-92) air-to-air missiles, thus boosting the T129’s ability to hunt down other helicopters or defend itself against aircraft above the battlefield.





The T129 ATAK will become the most advanced vehicle to join the Italian helicopter tree in the next major update and will provide pilots with a vastly more capable machine to support their tracked allies on the ground with. The special pre-order pack will allow you to be the first pilot of the deadly T129 in the game, as well as to obtain special bonuses!

Rankings Challenge is a regular competition in which everyone is welcome to participate, whether solo or with friends on an equal footing, using pre-set vehicles. Victories in these battles will raise your rating (you can read here about how ratings are calculated), and the higher your rating, the better the prizes you’ll receive!



During the season of Rankings Challenge the players will be able to participate in several events, divided by type: for example, “Aircraft 1v1”, “Ground vehicles 2v2” or “Mixed 5v5”. During the season there might be numerous competitions of one type: for example, once a week the new “Ground vehicles 2v2” events will be available. Thus the players will be earning the rating both for each competition individually, as well as for the leaderboard of each competition type. Therefore, the prizes will be awarded for both the entire season and separate competitions.

In Rankings Challenge, each participant will receive a preset collection of upgraded vehicles and an experienced crew that will allow the players to prove who’s stronger on an equal footing. Parity will also be enforced by the same limit of battles per day for each player, a realistic battle mode with markers, and small difference margin of battle rating of your competitors that you’ll be able to meet in the battles.

Rankings Challenge will be open three times a day so that the players from different time zones will be able to pick a comfortable time. Before the matches which results will be entered into the leaderboards, the players will be able to participate in practice battles. They are completely identical to the competitive matches and will allow the players to test out the vehicles before important battles. The timetables for practice and rating matches will be available at the webpage of each competition.



A single competition will usually take place over 2 or 3 days. However, each following day of the competition the players may be offered vehicles of a different country, and each following week, the vehicles’ rank may be changed.

To view the rating battle cards, click the corresponding button in the main menu, then pick any competition available at the moment or press “Participate” to sign up for future matches.


From September 6th till September 10th join the testing of the Rankings Challenge. In this test mode four competitions will be available — two for each competition type: “Aircraft 1v1” and “Ground vehicles 2v2”. Squads can participate in the 2v2 battles, with the squad’s rating being determined by the highest rating of two players.

The number of matches that will take place simultaneously will be limited. As such, in case of a large number of participants, waiting in queues may occur.

From September 6th until September 8th.

Day 1: Bf 109F-1 (Germany)
Day 2: Yak-1B (USSR)

From September 8th until September 10th.

Day 1: Spitfire F Mk.XIVe (Britain)
Day 2: P-51D-30 (USA)

From September 6th until September 8th.

Day 1: Char 25t (France)
Day 2: T-44 (USSR)

From September 8th until September 10th.

Day 1: XM-803 (USA)
Day 2: Type 74 (E) (Japan)

Aircraft battles will take place on the “Gladiators” mission which many virtual pilots should be familiar with, and will consist of several rounds. Ground vehicles will compete on the following missions: [Conquest 4] Advance to the Rhine, [Conquest 2] Sinai or [Conquest 1] Normandy with 3 respawns per player.


Sport camouflages, vehicles with unique camouflages, player icons, decals, and titles — all of these awards will be available in the future seasons of Rankings Challenge. For our test run we’ve prepared trophies and a title!

• For 10 victories in each competition the players will receive a special trophy containing one of the following items:
  
  • RP booster for 50% for 5 battles.
    
  • SL booster for 50% for 5 battles.
    
  • Wager set.
    
  • Orders set.
• Players who place 1 through 100 in the leaderboards of “Wings of Prey (test season)” will receive the “Gladiators” decal, while players who place 1 through 1000 will receive the “Rankings Challenge Tester” title.
  
• Players who place 1 through 100 in the leaderboards of “Shoulder to Shoulder (test season)” will receive the “Steel Legion” decal, while players who place 1 through 1000 will receive the “Rankings Challenge Tester” title.

We plan to regularly hold new seasons of Rankings Challenge with a duration of a month or more for all types of vehicles and all nations in War Thunder. Apart from the listed formats in the future there may be “Special”, like races or free deathmatch modes.

Some competitions of the Rankings Challenge may become qualifications for larger competitions based on the existing tournament service. Such competitions will likely be held mid-seasons with streams and activities for the viewers.

Participants of the competitions, please leave your feedback in the special topic on the forum!