In today’s first December major update dev blog, we’ll be taking a look at the French VBCI featuring a 25 mm autocannon!

At a glance:

• Rapid-fire 25 mm autocannon with an APFSDS belt!
  
• Thermal imager!
  
• Top speed of 100 km/h.
  
• Large in size!

Vehicle History
[expand type=details]
In the early 1990s, France launched a program to create a multi-role combat wheeled vehicle. The UK and Germany joined the project, but the joint format failed and since 1999, France has continued it independently. Giat Industries and Renault received a contract to produce 65 vehicles under the name VBCI, designed to replace the outdated AMX-10P IFV. In 2003-2004, five prototypes underwent armor and electronic system tests: four in the infantry fighting vehicle (VCI) variant and one in the command post (VPC). It was initially planned to install a Tarask turret, but it did not meet army requirements. The program dragged on for two years, with the VBCI receiving a new Dragar turret. Serial production began in 2006 with a steadily growing volume of orders, and by 2010 630 vehicles had been produced (520 VCI and 110 VPC). Since 2008, VBCIs have been entering service. In combat conditions, VBCI IFVs have been used in Afghanistan.
[/expand]




Meet the iconic VBCI for the French ground forces tree, coming to the game in the next major update. Excellent onboard turret electronics, a rapid-fire autocannon and speed make this vehicle an exemplary modern IFV (although it’s large!). Let’s take a closer look!




Those who have played the French ground forces tree will already be familiar with the VBCI platform in the form of the premium VBCI-2. The VBCI is similar in many ways, instead featuring a different turret and gun and it’s not a premium. Armed with a 25 mm GIAT M811 autocannon that has a rate of fire of up to 400 rounds per minute, this gun has access to belts with APFSDS and HEI-T shells! The gun is fully stabilized, with the fire control system both having a laser rangefinder and a thermal imager. Compared to the 30 mm cannon found on the VBCI-2, this cannon has a better rate of fire, all while maintaining good armor penetration, meaning you can try to take out low-flying aircraft as a quasi SPAA vehicle!

The VBCI also features an Electro-optical active protection system, giving it the ability to automatically divert laser-guided missiles.



Built on an 8x8 wheel arrangement, the VBCI can reach a maximum speed of up to 100 km/h on flat, hard roads. However, the long wheelbase and considerable height of this vehicle make it an absolute unit, meaning it’ll be difficult to maneuver and take cover, so be sure to take this into account while in battle. The VBCI will be helpless if it gets stuck somewhere in sand or snow while trying to flank, so try to choose firmer roads where possible.




That’s it for this one! The VBCI will arrive at rank VII in the French ground forces tree in the next major update. Be sure to keep an eye on the news where we’ll be telling you more about the things coming in this December winter update and the cool activities that we’re preparing for you during the winter holidays!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

• A bug that caused aircraft to jump and crash when landing on new airfields without landing gear has been fixed. (Report).
  
• Tornado GR.4 — display of AIM-9 indication in the HUD has been fixed. (Report).
  
• F-15E, F-15I Ra’am:
  
  • The restriction on using AIM-7 missiles in conjunction with drop tanks has been removed. (Report).
    
  • The failure of target acquisition by the targeting pod when descending at steep angles has been fixed.
    
  • The inability to use AIM-7/AIM-120 on conformal fuel tanks with installed targeting pod has been fixed. (Report).
    
  • The display of AIM-7 missiles in the secondary weapons menu has been fixed. (Report).
    
  • The ability to use the GBU-38 on the center fuselage pylon has been added. Preset weapons with the GBU-38 have been changed.
• Su-34 — the launch sequence of the Kh-38 missiles has been fixed.
  
• F-104G (China) — the PS-03 radar has been replaced by NASSAR. (Report).
  
• A bug in “Assault. Air Arcade” mode that caused AI aircraft to spawn inside each other, causing their collision and destruction has been fixed. (Report).

• A bug where a Squadron’s main page did not display all of the selected squadron vehicle rewards has been fixed.
  
• A bug where players who left a squadron could still have a squadron tag has been fixed.
  
• A bug that caused prompts about leaving the vehicle and about the start of an air event to not show in VR mode has been fixed.
  
• A bug where there was no hint about leaving the battle zone in Simulator Battles has been fixed. (Report).
  
• A bug where changing the nickname display setting (“Display real nick in battle and menu”) in the hangar did not immediately update the player’s nickname in the playercard has been fixed.
  
• A bug where Air Simulator Battle rooms had the letters “res” in their names has been fixed.
  
• A bug where in the player profile window, opening the “Service Record” tab without opening the “Statistics” tab resets the selected mode has been fixed.
  
• Indentations in the names of sub-chapters in the Achievements tab of a player profile have been made bigger, so it is easier to distinguish them from the names of the chapters.
  
• A bug where the “Favorite Mode” stat blocks were different widths in the Player Card window has been fixed.
  
• Order separators have been added to the Player Card window for the “Favorite Mode” stats.
  
• The number of complaints filed by one player in a single battle against the same player is now limited. This is done to limit spamming of complaints from one player to another. During a single battle a player can still file complaints on multiple players and multiple players can still file complaints on the same player.

• ADEN/DEFA and T160 aircraft cannons have received sounds more typical of this cannon caliber.
  
• Enemy/ally gun sounds are now better heard through a closed aircraft canopy at low frequencies if the gunfire is close to the listener’s aircraft.

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.

In the coming weeks, War Thunder will be fully protected by a new anti-cheat system, BattlEye! With its help, we’ll be able to fight prohibited modifications even more effectively.

For players who don’t cheat, nothing will change, except for the window when launching the game, as it’ll have the BattlEye logo instead.



Many online games are already using BattlEye, including one of Gaijin’s games, Enlisted. This anti-cheat will also come in handy in War Thunder! It effectively combats unfair play, working on both the server and client sides, constantly monitoring for interference in game processes. This means the most prohibited modifications are completely blocked when the game is launched.

Replacing the anti-cheat system on a specific device may take a little time and will happen when launching War Thunder. In the future, when you launch the game, you’ll be greeted by a window with the new anti-cheat system. Globally, the transition will occur gradually in waves, meaning both anti-cheats will be supported for some time. However within a few weeks, we’ll completely switch to BattlEye.

Q: Will sound modifications work?
A: Yes, they will.

Q: Will BattlEye anti-cheat affect performance?
A: The new anti-cheat should not affect FPS in the game. Since BattlEye will only work with the War Thunder client running, it will not affect the performance of your system in other tasks.

If you encounter any issues when launching the game or with software compatibility with the BattlEye anti-cheat system, please let us know on our bug report service by creating a report in the “Anti-Cheat” category.

You can find more information about BattlEye and answers to frequently asked questions on the BattlEye official website.

• A bug that caused the radio altimeter to show incorrect values ​​at altitudes above 15,000 meters has been fixed. (Report).

• The maximum intensity of the visual effect of afterburners now depends on the degree of damage to the engine. The more damage to the engine, the less pronounced the effect becomes.
  
• Excessively bright reflections on cockpit instruments with Ray Tracing enabled have been fixed.
  
• A bug where 100% motion blur was always applied to aircraft debris, even when the game was paused has been fixed.
  
• A bug where it was possible to enable the Ray Tracing option in the graphics settings with an AMD graphics card even though AMD RT is not supported yet has been fixed. We are working on expanding Ray Tracing support and in the future it will additionally be available on AMD graphics cards.

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.

Today, Scotland celebrates St. Andrews’ Day! We’re bringing back the Scottish Saltire for a few days to celebrate.

Feasts honouring St. Andrew dates back to the year 1000 AD, and the holiday has been observed throughout Scotland for more than a millennium. But he didn’t formally become Scotland's patron saint until 1320, when the Declaration of Arbroath was signed, legally declaring Scotland’s independence. Ever since, St. Andrew has grown to be a vital component of Scottish culture. The ancient town of St. Andrews was given its name because it is purported to be the ultimate resting place of St. Andrew.

Scotland’s national flag is available in the specified dates below.

When: From November 30th (11:00 GMT) until December 3rd (07:00 GMT)
Where: You can find it in your profile: Nickname → Decals → Common → World Flags.


“Scottish Saltire” decal

The screenshots you submitted from the Firebirds competition look great! This week, capture a bridge! 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 #WTscreen148. You have time until the 6th of December 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 bridge and a player vehicle.
  
• You must add the #WTscreen148 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=3371223782
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3371247412
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3371847124

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3371917428
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3372760887
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3370620787

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

• A bug that made it possible to damage modules behind armor with any shells after shooting it with large-caliber shells has been fixed. The bug was the most obvious on barbettes — where the damage could be done to the ammo elevators, shell rooms and magazines behind them. (Report).

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.

In this month’s Pages of History, you’ll be at the center of events that took place in different theaters of war. From Papua New Guinea and China to Kursk and the Ardennes: take part in battles with the vehicles corresponding to these historic battles and receive prizes. 



Creighton Abrams was the commander of the 37th Tank Battalion in the U.S. Army, which regularly served in the vanguard of General Patton’s Third Army. When the Allied forces were surrounded at Bastogne during the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes, it was Abrams’ 37th Battalion that broke the siege of the city. General Patton said of Abrams, “I’m supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army, but I have one peer—Abe Abrams. He’s the world champion.”

You can immediately purchase this profile icon for Golden Eagles until January 3rd, 11:30 GMT without completing tasks. To find it, go to your Nickname → Achievements → Pages of History.


Completing each individual task will give you a trophy with one of the following rewards:

• 20-50% RP booster for 3-10 battles;
  
• 20-50% SL booster for 3-10 battles;
  
• 3-5 universal backups;
  
• Premium account for 1 day;
  
• A random camouflage for ground vehicles (out of the selection of camouflages currently obtainable in game for completing tasks, or purchasing with Golden Eagles).

• Tasks are available from 11:00 GMT until 11:30 GMT on the final day of each task.
  
• Tasks can be completed in random battles except for “Assault” mode.

On December 1st 1943, the Allied offensive began on the Bernhardt Line, a salient in the Gustav Line running along the slope of Monte Cassino. Although not as well fortified as the main Gustav Line, it delayed the Allies for six weeks and cost them 16,000 men.

On December 5th 1943, American and Australian forces launched an offensive on the Huon Peninsula in Papua New Guinea. The opposing Japanese forces were cut off from supplies and had lost more than half their men in battle, as well as from disease and starvation. As they retreated, they buried a chest of documents in a stream bed that allowed the Allies to decipher secret Japanese communications.

For three months, from December 9th 1940 to February 9th 1941, the Allies, led by Great Britain, drove Italian troops out of Egypt and Cyrenaica. The offensive was stopped only in view of the impending German invasion of Greece. Great Britain transferred its forces to a new front, leaving only a small group in Africa.

On December 12th 1942, Germany launched Operation Winter Storm to break through the Soviet encirclement of General Paulus’ army in Stalingrad. The offensive stopped 35-40 km from Stalingrad. The only chance to break the blockade was from within, but Hitler ordered the city to be held, and Goering promised to supply Paulus’ army from the air. In early February, Paulus capitulated.

On the morning of December 16th 1944, Germany launched a surprise attack on Allied forces in the Ardennes Forest on the border between Belgium and Luxembourg. Its offensive faltered on December 25th due to a lack of fuel and ammunition. By early January, the Allies had tripled their troop levels in the region and were counterattacking. For the rest of the war, Germany was on the defensive.

In December 1941, the Red Army launched an offensive in the Kursk region. Like many Soviet attempts to counterattack at the time, it ended in failure. Overestimating its strength, the Red Army lost 30,000 men, pushing the front line back only a few kilometers.

On December 24th 1941, the third battle for the city of Changsha in China’s Hunan Province began. As before, Chinese troops surrounded the advancing Japanese, cut them off from their supply lines, and forced them to retreat. General Xue Yue earned the nickname “The Tiger of Changsha” for his defense of the city.

On December 31th 1942, a convoy carrying equipment, fuel and supplies from Great Britain to the USSR collided with German ships in the Barents Sea. The attack by two German heavy cruisers was held off by British destroyers until two British light cruisers arrived, after which the Germans retreated. All cargo ships successfully reached Murmansk, and the head of the Kriegsmarine was removed from his post as a result of the defeat.

• Tetrarch I — a bug with the incorrect location of the center of mass has been fixed. (Report).

• A bug that sometimes caused vehicle models to be less detailed has been fixed. (Report, Report).

• A bug that caused a change in the graphics settings in the game to not change the preset in the launcher to Custom has been fixed. Due to this bug, the next launch of the game was always performed with a High graphics settings preset. (Report).

Patch notes reflect only key changes, meaning they may not include a complete list of all improvements made. Additionally, War Thunder is constantly being updated and some changes may not require an update. Changes reflected in patch notes are formed by taking reactions and requests of the community from the bug reporting service, forums and other official platforms into account. Bug fixes and changes are implemented in order of importance, for example a game-breaking bug will be worked on and implemented sooner.

From November 27th 18:00 UTC to December 4th 11:00 UTC


https://store.steampowered.com/app/1478150/War_Thunder__Black_Friday_Pack/?snr=1_16_16_18_curator-tabs&curator_clanid=4649813

This bundle includes:

• Black Shark Pack
  
• M18 “Black Cat” Pack
  
• A43 Black Prince Pack
  
• P-61A-1 Black Widow Pack
  
• Unique title: Pitch Black

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1557850/War_Thunder__Black_Shark_Pack/?snr=1_16_16_18_curator-tabs&curator_clanid=4649813