The French Milan fighter jet was developed on the basis of the Mirage III by order of Switzerland and first took to the skies on May 29th 1969. Exactly 1 year later, the final version of this aircraft equipped with the Snecma Atar 9K-50 engine passed flight tests.

You can get this fighter jet for 9,090 Golden Eagles.

• The Milan can be tricky to fly, but in the right hands it can be a real treat. It has excellent maneuverability and is capable of reaching incredible speeds. Plus, thanks to its good bomb load and ballistic computer, it can also be used for ground attacks.

Meet the Bernau minesweeper, which is equipped with rapid-firing anti-aircraft guns and a Strela-2M air defense missile launcher! This one’s an interesting addition to the German Coastal fleet research tree, coming soon in the next major update.

Features:

• 3 x twin 25 mm machine guns.
  
• Strela-2M SAM.
  
• Low top speed.

Vehicle History
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Project 89 minesweepers have been built in the GDR since the late 60s, and their NATO classification was Kondor. Project 89 ships underwent four modernization programs, the latest and most advanced of which was designated 89.2 UR2 or Kondor II. These included the installation of modern sonar and radar equipment, as well as the Strela-2M anti-aircraft missile system in the FASTA launcher. These ships could operate as part of distant sea and ocean formations and were placed in service with the German Navy until 1995. After decommissioning, some of the Kondor II ships were sold to other countries, including Indonesia, Uruguay and Latvia.
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The German Bernau is a representative of a rare class of SAM carriers in the game. Today we’ll be taking a look at this interesting ship coming to Germany’s Coastal fleet tree. Let’s dive in!




Coastal fleet ships are usually smaller, but the Bernau is a fairy large ship, armed with three twin mounts with 25 mm autocannons and a FASTA 4M2 launcher with Strela-2M anti-aircraft missiles. This ship also has a radar to detect air targets too, and a crew of 29 people.




Interesting: Three Kondor series ships purchased by the Maltese Government were sunk in the most picturesque of places on the island’s coast and are used as tourist spots for divers.

Its length is more than 50 meters and its maximum speed is just 18.5 knots (34 km/h), meaning the Bernau is primarily a backline fighter. Well hidden behind islands and low cliffs, make sure to use the Bernau as your team’s main aircraft cover at long distances. This ship can also be used is for artillery ambushes at capture points, where the Bernau can use its rapid-firing 25 mm cannons!




This unusual anti-aircraft ship is coming to the game in the next major update at rank IV of the German Coastal fleet tree. Until then, keep an eye on our website for more dev blogs that we’re currently cooking!

This deep modernization of the Su-27 jet fighter expands the tactical capabilities of this aircraft in both air battles and in ground battles. The most advanced representative of the Su-27 series will be appearing in the next major update!


Features:

• ARH air-to-air missiles!
  
• 1500 kg bombs.
  
• Kh-29 guided missiles.
  
• Advanced RWR.

Vehicle History
[expand type=details]
The modernization program for the aging Su-27s in the Russian Air Force fleet was developed at KnAAPO at the end of 2002. This program aimed to qualitatively improve the combat qualities of the aircraft, improve flight performance and expand its capabilities. The Su-27 received a new RWR, an updated weapons control system and an updated radar for operating R-77 missiles, air-to-surface missiles and KAB-500Kr and KAB-1500Kr guided bombs. The first serially modernized Su-27SM were put into service in 2003, where it’s currently in service with the Russian Air Force.
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One of the best jet duelists in the game is getting even better. This modern modification of the Su-27 receives R-77 ARH missiles, as well as a competitive set of guided weapons for Ground Battles. Today we’re going to take a look at this jet, so let’s dive in!



It’s first worth saying that this new Russian top tier jet can carry up to 6 x ARH R-77 medium-range missiles, allowing you to begin combat at a significant distance. Together with the R-27T and ET, R-27R and ER missiles that you may already be familiar with, the close-combat R-73 all-aspect missile and a helmet-mounted target designation system makes the Su-27SM perfect all-round for air superiority. A very important update to this aircraft is the advanced RWR an with informative display, where you have complete information about the tactical situation and immediate threats.

For Ground Battles, the Su-27SM has improved dramatically. Firstly, this new aircraft has received the TV guided KAB-500Kr and a completely new, destructive one and a half ton KAB-1500Kr, the largest caliber of Russian bombs of this type in the game. Along with updating the weapons control system, the Su-27SM is armed with up to 4 x Kh-29TE guided missiles, together with air-to-air missiles or other weapons.




The entire diverse arsenal of the first Su-27 is also available to the Su-27SM, including parachute bombs, regular bombs and incendiary bombs, unguided rockets of various sizes and the good old trusty 30 mm GSh-30 cannon. Thanks to this fantastic array of weapons, the Su-27SM has now become the best attack aircraft in the Soviet aviation research tree. 10 hardpoints means you’ll be able to perfectly place selected weapons for air or attack combat, as well as any combination that you need for any style to fit your needs.

In your matches by Alex, Lead Air Designer: “This is an amazing universal aircraft, with excellent dynamics and weapons! In battle, I would advise taking a high position, searching for the enemy, practicing with R-77 missiles and while firing countermeasures, evading a possible oncoming missile attack using “3-9” maneuvers. When approaching the enemy launch R-73 close-range missiles, do not forget to use the helmet-mounted target designation system, especially in maneuverable combat. In ground battles, this aircraft has also become a formidable weapon; you shouldn’t go against air defense without thinking, but the Kh-29 missiles or the new KAB-1500 will not leave the enemy indifferent, even if there was no direct hit.”

That’s the end of today’s blog. You’ll be able to research the incredible Su-27SM that will be arriving in the next major update at the end of the Soviet aviation research tree. Stay tuned to our website see what else is coming!

This is the Canadian Leopard 2A4, specially prepared for combat in Afghanistan. And from today, we’re introducing it in a pack that’s now available to pre-order, giving special bonuses!


Features:

• Additional composite armor protection.
  
• High resolution thermal imager!
  
• Available modifications in the form of slat armor and/or a camouflage net.

Vehicle History
[expand type=details]
The Leopard 2A4M CAN modification was developed to modernize 20 Canadian Army Leopard 2A4 tanks for use in combat operations in Afghanistan. They were equipped with additional composite armor packages, placed to protect the front and sides of the turret and hull, plus slat armor at the back of the turret and around the engine compartment to help protect against shaped charge ammunition. In addition to this, the fire control system was modernized with a brand-new thermal imager and commander sight. Due to the extra armor, the weight of the tank increased, which meant that the brakes and suspension were modified as well. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) developed this modification and by 2010 all 20 tanks were modernized. Between 2010 and 2011, 5 Leopard 2A4M CAN tanks were deployed in Afghanistan.
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Pre-order — Leopard 2A4M CAN Pack
69.99

• Leopard 2A4M CAN (Rank 7, Germany)
  
• Premium account for 20 days
  
• 2500 Golden Eagles
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique “Royal Canadian” title
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique Snow leopard decal
  
  
• Pre-order bonus: unique forest camouflage
  

With the release of the next major War Thunder update, this interesting Canadian modification of the Leopard 2A4 main battle tank will arrive in the game! This variant features additional composite armor modules, an advanced thermal imager and the ability to equip slat armor and a camouflage net. Today we’ll be telling you more about this tank that can be pre-ordered starting from now!



At first glance, you may notice that the Leopard 2A4M CAN has modern modifications from the all so familiar German Leopard! This is true to some extent, as the additional composite armor modules on the Canadian Leopard are an almost exact copy of the types of armor found on the 2A7 series tanks. By order of the Canadian military, Leopard 2A4M CAN tanks are equipped with composite armor modules at the front of the turret and hull, which qualitatively increases its protection against hits from any type of ammunition. With the exception of the typical weaker areas at the front, such as around the sight and turret ring, the Leopard 2A4M CAN is able to withstand most kinetic shells and ATGMs from enemies around its rank to the front.




In addition to this, the underside of this tank has additional mine protection, which means there’s increased protection at the lower frontal part of the hull. Plus, you’re able to equip slat armor as a modification, helping to protect against shaped-charge shells to the sides and rear of the turret and engine compartment. There’s also a camouflage net that breaks the silhouette of the turret, gun mantlet and the gun itself, which looks cool too!

Interesting: The black lines that are scattered on the Leopard 2A4M CAN’s armor are actually Velcro strips for attaching a camouflage net, specially designed to camouflage the tank during missions in Afghanistan.



Additional armor means additional weight and therefore modifications to the braking system and suspension were required to help. Ultimately, it does mean that since this Leopard is heavier, its maximum speed is slightly less. Despite this, the driving characteristics are still great, as it will always be one of the first to reach capture points, and copes well with roads and any poor terrain. In addition to the enhanced armor that the Leopard 2A4M CAN received, there’s also an improved sighting system with a modern high-res thermal imager. However, the gun is the identical 120 mm L/44 cannon found on the 2A4.




That’s today’s blog done! The Leopard 2A4M CAN can be pre-ordered from today and will be available to play in the game when the next major update is released. Pre-ordering this pack will give you special pre-order bonuses as well, to be sure to follow the link to check it out.

USS Des Moines was the lead ship of the Des Moines class of American heavy cruisers, laid down on May 28th 1945. She was the first ship to carry semi-automatic 8-inch Mark 16 guns, and instead of aircraft catapults, Sikorsky HO3S-1 multi-role helicopters could land on her deck.

You can get this heavy cruiser for 8,020 Golden Eagles.

• USS Des Moines is slow and not that durable, but her rate of fire will make you gasp! Its broadside can deal enormous amounts of damage to the enemy. Stay out of range of enemy torpedoes, and take care of yourself — when you see the enemy, greet them with a barrage of shells!

We’ve been made aware of many of your requests for smaller teams in Air Realistic Battles as 16v16 teams are sometimes overwhelming in terms of the number of missiles at once.

With the release of the upcoming major update, we’ll be adding an option to the Air Realistic Battles game selection window where you’ll be able to turn on smaller team sizes.



This mechanic works in the same way as turning on the option for night battles: if there’s enough players in the queue with this option enabled, you’ll have a chance of getting into an air battle with smaller team sizes.

When this option is enabled, you’ll have the chance of getting into a battle with smaller team sizes (min - max: 6 - 12) instead of a regular battle (min - max: 6 - 16). Further adjustments in the future are possible depending on how sessions go.

This will only be for aircraft with a Battle Rating of 10.0 or higher, where high-end air-to-air missiles are far more prevalent.



Thank you for your feedback on this and we hope that this option for smaller teams will make your experience in Air Realistic Battles more enjoyable. Be sure to enable this option with the release of the major update!

We loved getting to see the screenshots that you captured last week! More durable vehicles can take an impressive number of hits, but the more fragile vehicles can make spectacular wreckages. 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 #WTscreen121. You have time until the 31st of May 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.

• Your screenshot must include a reserve or BR 1.0 vehicle.
  
• You must add the #WTscreen121 tag (title cannot have any other text in it).
  
• Artists may only win by popular vote once per four screenshot competitions.

[/b]

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 14 working days.

[/list]


https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3243233394
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3250025401
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3249854297

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3249620531
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3250215160
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3250132787

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

Meet an interesting new reconnaissance vehicle coming to the US ground forces tree: the XM800T light vehicle!


Features:

• Stabilized 20 mm cannon.
  
• High mobility.
  
• Amphibious capability.
  
• Low survivability.

Vehicle History
[expand type=details]
In the summer of 1974, as part of the ARSV (Armored Reconnaissance Scout Vehicle) program to create a new command and reconnaissance vehicle to replace the M114, FMC Corporation presented a prototype of a new generation of scout vehicle on a tracked chassis for testing. Despite satisfactory performance, the tracked version did not meet the required weight limits and was not accepted for production. In total, FMC built 3 XM800T experimental prototypes, one of which was designed as a tank destroyer and equipped with a TOW anti-tank guided missile launcher.
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Today we’ll be showing you the interesting XM800T, which is an experimental tracked amphibious reconnaissance vehicle armed with a 20 mm autocannon. Let’s jump into the details and take a look!



This new vehicle will arrive to the game in the next major update at rank V in the US ground forces research tree. Overall the USA is famous for its excellent light vehicles, and the new XM800T is certainly no exception to this. With fairly compact dimensions and a height of just over 2 meters, this vehicle is distinguished by its high power. A 285 HP engine, the same found on the M551 Sheridan, means the XM800T can accelerate to 83.5 km/h on paved surfaces and provides the vehicle with great driving characteristics!

Featured in the turret is a 20 mm cannon for use against enemy vehicles and a 7.62 mm machine gun for all your fence and bush destroying needs. The 20 mm cannon is the main star of the show here, which is automatic, stabilized, and belt-fed with the belts consisting of high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing incendiary tracer shells. The gun is controlled using an effective sighting system, which includes a laser rangefinder!




Interesting: All 3 built examples of the XM800T have survived to this day! One vehicle is located at Fort Moore, Georgia, the second is in a private collection in California, and the third is in Danbury, Connecticut.

The XM800T’s armor is light and provides protection against fragmentation, but since it’s made of aluminum alloy it does not provide reliable cover for three crew members, even against heavy machine guns. This vehicle is also amphibious and can float on water, although there’s no separate engine for this, it instead uses its tracks to traverse around on water.

In your matches by Tom, Lead Community Manager: “There’s a lot of ways you can use a tank like this effectively so there’s not really an ideal way to approach it, it’s mostly dependent on the map and what your goal is. If you can find a road into the map from the offset the XM800T can absolutely rush in and disrupt the first wave of enemy vehicles by getting into unpredictable spots quickly (alternatively it’s also a good late-game spawn as there’s often softer targets and more low flying aircraft around). Aside from that you’re a reliable support tank — stick with your team, use your cannon to damage barrels and tracks and scout enemies for some cheap air spawns.”

That’s today’s blog! The XM800T will be arriving in the next major update and will be sure to provide you with a good scout vehicle in your lineups. Be sure to stay in touch and keep an eye on our website for more dev blogs coming soon. Until then see you around and enjoy your battles!

On May 26th, 1716, George I established the British Army Corps of Engineers by decree, which in 1855 was named to the Corps of Royal Engineers. In 1832, the corps received the official motto: “Ubique”, which translates to “everywhere”, as they participated in all major conflicts of the British Army.

This absolute unit of a tank is available for 8,200 Golden Eagles.

• The Centurion Mk.5 AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers) is distinguished by a dozer blade, mounts for transporting engineering equipment and trailers, and of course a destructive 165 mm gun with a devastating HESH round. This tank has a crew of 5, additional ROMOR-A ERA armor around the front and turret, and composite screens on at the sides, helping to make it more survivable than other Centurions.

One of the main features coming to the next major update will be the introduction of medium-range air-to-air missiles with active radar guidance, also known as FOX-3!

Not too long ago now, during open testing on the dev server, you had the opportunity to test medium-range active radar-guided missiles (ARH) in air battles. We’ve collected your feedback and statistics and are now ready to introduce these new weapons into the game in the next major update!

Medium-range missiles that have an ARH seeker are also known as “FOX-3”, a codeword used by NATO pilots to indicate that they had been launched. There isn’t just the FOX-3 codeword, as FOX-1 is for a missile with a SARH seeker, while FOX-2 is for a missile with an IR seeker. FOX-3 missiles coming to the game is an important development in modern air combat and marks a key change compared to missiles currently in the game. Previously, medium-range missiles with semi-active radar homing seekers (SARH) needed to illuminate a target until it hit, which put the aircraft that had launched the missile in a vulnerable position due to the need to keep the target locked until impact.



With an understanding of this shortcoming, at the start of the 1980s, advanced aviation powers began to develop a new generation of medium-range aircraft missiles. These were distinguished by the presence of an active radar seeker that didn’t require target tracking throughout the missile’s flight.

Good aerodynamics and the use of an energetically optimal trajectory with a climb and further exchange of potential energy for kinetic energy ensures a high launch range for ARH missiles. Unlike missiles with semi-active radar guidance, they operate autonomously and don’t require a constant illumination of the target by the pilot or the radar of the carrier aircraft. However when launching from longer ranges, it’s most optimal to track a target in TWS (Track-While-Scan) mode to provide radio correction. A common property of these types of missiles is a combined control method: the ARH of the missile is capable of capturing a “fighter type target” at a distance of 15-20 km, which allows the missile to be used at close range in a fire and forget format.

When flying over a long distance, before approaching the target at the capture distance, the missile is guided using an inertial navigation system, which can receive correction commands from the carrier. It clarifies the coordinates and speed of the target in the inertial guidance system, which is necessary to launch the missile at a maneuvering target. The missile’s autonomy in the final part of its trajectory allows it to simultaneously fire at several targets, including in the “fire and forget” mode, but for effective use it’s better to keep targets in the Track-While-Scan mode for as long as possible.

The success of an attack with ARH missiles depends on several factors. Despite the fact that false thermal targets are not a hindrance for this type of missile, they’re not always the ultimate weapon. The Radiation Warning Receiver (RWR) which is available to most modern aircraft will warn the pilot at the final section of the missile’s trajectory when the radar seeker goes into active mode (i.e. at a distance of 15-20 km). The main defense against medium-range missiles is anti-missile maneuvers — if the distance allows for it, perform a 180-degree turn to attempt to escape from it. To shorten the effective launch distance, use a barrel roll or the scissors and crank maneuvers. At short distances, only the “3-9” maneuver is effective. Sharply turn the plane to 3 or 9 o’clock along course with launching countermeasures.



The first medium-range missiles with ARH seekers will be the French MICA, Chinese PL-12, American AIM-120, Russian R-77, Japanese AAM-4, Israeli Derby and South African R-Darter.

These models are characterized by excellent maneuverability and high thrust. The dimensions of FOX-3 missiles allow for a large load to be carried, even on lighter fighters. The aircraft that will carry these weapons will be amongst the top fighters for all nations in the game, with the best aircraft in the game now having new tactical capabilities.

We’re all eagerly awaiting for the next major update so that we can try out these new missiles in action together with you!