War Thunder News

There’s a storm brewing! New Zealand’s Strikemaster Mk.88 flies over the jungle, wreaking absolute havoc just like a tropical storm. This jet-powered attack aircraft is the grand prize this season, and is a variant created by British company BAC specifically for New Zealand’s Air Force.

To receive Battle Pass rewards, you’ll need to regularly log into the game and complete tasks and challenges. Each level of the Battle Pass will earn you a prize, be it a player icon, loading screen, title, decals, decorations, or 3 brand new premium vehicles!

[h2]

Meet Season 13 of the Battle Pass!

When: From October 25th until January 24th.

[/h2]



As with all Battle Pass seasons, there’s a new set of awards that we’ve lined up for you. See the full list in the Battle Pass tab in the hangar, or check them out on our Wiki. Here’s some key awards for this season, Season 13:

[h2]HMS Gay Archer[/h2]
A Premium Torpedo Boat for Britain at Rank III.

A versatile patrol boat with a 40 mm Bofors cannon on the bow as well as 2 x torpedoes, HMS Gay Archer is sure to be a fun addition to Britain’s coastal forces!



[h2]Breda 90/53[/h2]
A Premium Self-propelled Vehicle for Italy at rank III.

A 90 mm anti-aircraft gun capable of one-shots mounted onto an army truck, similarly to how the Germans did it. Because of this, the Breda 90/53 has one of the best guns at its rank!



[h2]Strikemaster Mk.88[/h2]
A Premium Strike Aircraft for Britain at Rank IV.

A lightweight, compact jet attack aircraft that is ideal in the CAS role. Despite its small size, the Strikemaster Mk.88 can still pack a punch as it carries a good payload of bombs and rockets. Fun!




[h2]Decals[/h2]

4 decals!







[h2]3D decorations[/h2]

3 decorations!



[h2]Profile Icon[/h2]

Strikemaster pilot


[h2]

All rewards and challenges for season 13

[/h2]

[h3]About the Battle Pass[/h3]

[h3]

If you’ve got two Coupon Upgrades from stages in the previous season, then you can claim the new Battle Pass for free! Exchange them in the purchase menu of the Tropical Storm season.

[/h3]

The Battle Pass is a seasonal event where players can earn many rewards, from Silver Lions and boosters to exclusive season prizes: decorations, profile icons and premium vehicles. The rules are simple: you earn progress points and use them to unlock new stages, earning valuable prizes in the process.

You can unlock new stages and receive awards at any time during the season.


You can access the “Battle Pass” window through the promo block on the right side of the hangar screen.

[h3]How to participate[/h3]
Play

• You get progress points every day for entering the game.
  
• From 1 to 5 points.
  

Complete Battle Tasks

• You can check your Battle Tasks in the game. Complete them and receive progress points.
  
• From 2 to 5 points.
  

Complete Season Challenges

• One Challenge is available at the start of the season. Every week you get a new one, while three more can become available by unlocking stages.
  
• 30 points.
  

Learn more about the Battle Pass

The AH-129D is the penultimate variant of the Italian Mangusta attack helicopter, originally introduced during the 1990s. Featuring enhanced firepower, the AH-129D will soon join the top rank of the Italian helicopter tree in the next major update “Kings of Battle”!

[h2]AH-129D Mangusta: A Helicopter for Italy at Rank VII![/h2]

Features:

• Deadly Spike missiles.
  
• Excellent agility.
  

[h2]Meet the AH-129D Mangusta![/h2]

In War Thunder, the AH-129D will be the most advanced attack helicopter to be added to the Italian research tree! Inheriting all of the Mangusta’s signature characteristics which you may have come to appreciate, this latest modification substantially ups the ante in terms of firepower. And in today’s devblog, we’re going to tell you all about it — let’s dive into the details!

[h3]

Interesting: The Mangusta’s name translates into “Mongoose”, which is a small animal that is capable of striking deadly attacks against their prey, much like the AH-129D Mangusta will be able to do in game!

[/h3]



Since the AH-129D at first glance resembles its predecessor very closely, you may think that the new variant doesn’t offer any substantial improvements over the already familiar A129 CBT. However, this couldn’t be further from reality! In fact, the AH-129D comes fitted with an upgraded target guidance system, which’ll give you access to the powerful Spike-ER ATGM. The Spike ATGM combines fire-and-forget capabilities with a tandem warhead, thus allowing you to quickly engage multiple targets while resting assured that the destruction of the target is just a matter of counting down the seconds to impact.

Apart from receiving more powerful missiles, the AH-129D also retains full access to its predecessor’s arsenal. As a result, you can pick and choose between a vast assortment of weapon systems, ranging from ATGMs over air-to-air missiles and going up to basic Hydra unguided rockets or HMG gun pods. At the same time, this helicopter also retains its nose-mounted 20mm cannon, enabling it to strafe lightly armored vehicles and defend itself from hostile aircraft.




Continuing the trend set out by its firepower, the AH-129D also retains the flight characteristics of the preceding variant, despite the upgrades it received. As a result, this vehicle is still capable of reaching a high top speed and maintains its signature agility, thus making it ideally suited for ‘pop-up’ attacks and hitting the enemy forces when and where they least expect it.

[h3]

Did you know? The M197 three-barreled 20mm rotary cannon was designed as a lighter version of the M61 Vulcan cannon for light aircraft and helicopters. This is because these vehicles are not able to house the larger cannon, and are not capable of controlling its intense recoil.

[/h3]



[h3]

In your matches: Pro-tips when using the AH-129D Mangusta by Tom (Oxy), WT Community Manager (TL): “The benefit of this range and the fire and forget nature of Spikes means you can position yourself very safely while simultaneously getting the most out of the missiles. Aim to hug terrain and minimize your time in the open, pop out to fire off a missile before quickly returning into cover.”

[/h3]



The AH-129D will soon become the most capable vehicle to join the Italian helicopter tree as part of the next major update “Kings of Battle”, certainly providing you with the ultimate tool to support tracked allies on the ground with. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to the news to catch all the latest developments surrounding the upcoming update. Until then, enjoy your matches!

The trees are turning colors and losing their leaves! Your fall-themed screenshots were superb. This week we want to see your vehicle with decals and decorations, or even a whole new skin! See details below. The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 90th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen90. You have time until 27.10.2023 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.


[h3]Terms:[/h3]

Your screenshot must include decals, decorators, or a customized skin!
You can find a wide selection of skins on live.warthunder.com You must add the #WTscreen90 tag (title cannot have any other text in it).
• 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.
  

[h2]And now, time for the winners of the competition’s 89th edition - Fall Colors![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3052028451
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3051464603
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3051617247

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3051611082
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3051401055
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3052302813

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

Welcome to the main aviation prize of the upcoming season of the War Thunder Battle pass called “Tropical Storm”, the Strikemaster Mk.88 strike jet aircraft!

[h2]Strikemaster Mk.88: A Premium Strike Aircraft for Britain at Rank IV![/h2]

Features:

• Subsonic.
  
• Good payload!
  
• Weak guns.
  

[h2]Meet the Strikemaster Mk.88![/h2]

The grand prize of the new Battle pass season, “Tropical Storm” is the very unusual British Strikemaster Mk.88 attack jet, originally designed as an inexpensive attack aircraft. A vibe of the late 70’s, rainforests and VHS action movies, the Strikemaster Mk.88 is certainly a cool vehicle. Let’s dive into the details!

[h3]

Interesting: The Strikemaster Mk.88 earned the unofficial nickname of “Blunty” in the New Zealand Air Force, due to its overall round appearance, especially the nose!

[/h3]

Arriving as a premium at rank IV in the British aviation tree, the Strikemaster Mk.88 is a compact and nimble subsonic attack aircraft which can carry a very respectable payload! This includes 4 x 500 lb bombs, including the American Mk.82 Snake Eye bombs, as well as SNEB, Mighty Mouse and Type 80 Sura rockets, plus machine gun pods. This is all quite impressive considering its size and predecessor aircraft, which was designed as a light trainer.



The main weakness however of the Strikemaster Mk.88 is its guns, which are only rifle-caliber machine guns. Due to the nature of these guns, the Strikemaster will be fairly weak to use against enemy aircraft and expectedly, will do little to no damage against ground vehicles, apart from the occasional open-top vehicle that you might encounter in battle.

[h3]

Did you know? BAC produced several Strikemaster variants based on the needs of foreign operators. For example, Mk.80 for Saudi Arabia, Mk.81 for South Yemen, Mk.87 for Kenya and Mk.89 for Ecuador!

[/h3]



In other roles, the Strikemaster Mk.88 will be fun to use as overall, its flight characteristics combined with good ordnance options will make it a viable option in ground matches or bombing air bases. In addition to this, it’s a premium aircraft that will help you research the lower ranks made up of piston aircraft in the British aviation research tree!

[h3]

In your matches: Pro-tips when using the Strikemaster Mk.88 by Jan (Copsi), Marketing Manager: “When you see a plane, pretend you are dead, or try to. You are *technically* able to shoot down enemies if they can’t see you, but realistically, you should probably focus on bombing tanks, those that can't run from you. You have a good loadout to come in low, avoid AA guns, and have a good platform to give good CAS support.”

[/h3]



The premium Strikemaster Mk.88 will be available in the upcoming Battle pass season “Tropical Storm” which starts on October 25th. Until then, keep an eye out for news surrounding this Battle pass, enjoy your matches and see you soon!

The TAN-SAM-1C is the result of an effort to develop a modern, missile-based anti-air system for the JSDF which up until then primarily relied on conventional weaponry. Arriving to top rank battles as part of the upcoming “Kings of Battle” major update, the TAN-SAM-1C will reinforce the Japanese SPAA line with a highly capable new SAM system!

[h2]TAN-SAM-1C: An SPAA for Japan at Rank VII![/h2]

Features:

• Fire and forget missiles.
  
• Excellent mobility.
  
• Lightweight protection.
  
• Large silhouette.
  
• Two man crew.
  

[h2]Meet the TAN-SAM-1C![/h2]

Coming to War Thunder as part of the upcoming “Kings of Battle” major update, the TAN-SAM-1C will arrive to Japan's ground research tree as a top ranked SPAA vehicle! Succeeding the Type 93 in the game, the TAN-SAM-1C will offer you more powerful and longer-reaching missiles, thus increasing the level of protection it can provide for allied ground units. Let’s dive into the details!

[h3]

Developer’s comment: “The TAN-SAM missiles will have photo contrast mode, which allows for long-range capture against the sky in good daytime visibility. In this mode, the interference immunity is also higher. However, during night it’s not possible to capture targets against the ground background. For example, when you’re on the ground and you try to capture a target against the background of a mountain slope. We’ll tell you more about the photo contrast mode in another dev blog.”

[/h3]

Being accustomed to the compact Type 93, you may be left stunned by the bulky appearance of the TAN-SAM-1C at first glance. However, with its larger size also comes an expanded combat capability not least of which can be attributed to the vehicle’s formidable missiles. Bearing the same designation, the SAMs of the TAN-SAM-1C are also IR guided, similar to those found on the Type 93, but feature a vastly superior range and G-tolerance over their already familiar counterparts.



As a result, you’ll be able to engage hostile aerial threats at greater distances and with greater efficacy. However, despite the missiles’ convenient fire-and-forget feature, they are still susceptible to being thrown off course by the timely use of countermeasures by their prey. Conserving ammunition and ensuring its efficient use is imperative with the TAN-SAM-1C as it only carries 8 missiles in total. This means that during a heated engagement with hostile air presence, the TAN-SAM-1C can’t boast about excellent combat endurance. Therefore, make sure to either pick your shots carefully or stay relatively close to strategic points in order to quickly rearm!

[h3]

Did you know? TAN-SAM SAMs have been in service with land, sea and air units of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the country has never exported the system to foreign operators.

[/h3]



Fortunately, being based on a truck chassis, the TAN-SAM-1C features excellent mobility. Powered by a 286 horsepower diesel engine, the vehicle can reach a very respectable top speed of 90 km/h on paved surfaces and can quickly shift positions on the battlefield — a highly useful trait, especially when bearing in mind the need to rearm frequently in between engagements. On the flip side of the coin however, the TAN-SAM-1C is a very light vehicle and as a result features practically no protection to the threats of a modern battlefield.

[h3]

In your matches: Pro-tips when using the TAN-SAM-1C by Tom (Oxy), WT Community Manager (TL): “Due to the limited ammo capacity it’s really important to pick your shots carefully. With any kind of anti-air it pays to be patient, as soon as an aircraft is aware of you they will become a lot harder to shoot down, so even if your target is within range I’d recommend holding off on the trigger for just a little longer until you have the clearest shot possible — the further away they are, the more time they have to avoid your missile.”

[/h3]



The TAN-SAM-1C will soon be making its way to the top rank of the Japanese ground forces tree as a much anticipated reinforcement to the SPAA line as part of the upcoming “Kings of Battle” major update. Until then, keep an eye on our website for more devs, enjoy your matches and see you soon!