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XM800T: Brave Prowess



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

[h2]XM800T: A Light Tank for the USA at Rank V[/h2]

Features:
  • Stabilized 20 mm cannon.
  • High mobility.
  • Amphibious capability.
  • Low survivability.
Vehicle History
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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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[h2]Meet the XM800T![/h2]

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!

Anniversary of the Founding of the Corps of Royal Engineers: The Centurion AVRE!



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.

The Centurion Mk.5 AVRE is available for Golden Eagles and is here to stay!

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

[h3]
When: From May 24th (11:00 GMT).
Where: Great Britain > Army > Premium vehicles.
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[h3]About this tank[/h3]
  • 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.

FOX-3: Active Radar Homing Missiles



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!

Following the Roadmap: Separate Battle Ratings for Different Modes + More Info



Hey everyone. We’re continuing to move along with the War Thunder Roadmap presented at the beginning of this year. In today’s news, we’ll be talking about the separation of Battle Ratings for different modes.

We planned to introduce this one along with the second major update of 2024, but we were able to finish it earlier, and today we’re pleased to present it to you.

We are planning to implement this change soon.

[h2]How it works[/h2]

The separation of Battle Ratings for different modes works as simple as this: the Battle Rating for a vehicle is different in Aircraft Battles and Ground or Naval Battles, something not seen before in the game.

Apart from a few exceptions, Battle Ratings for aircraft are set based on their performance in Aircraft battles, not Ground or Naval Battles. This is why there are more changes to Battle Ratings in Ground Battles than there are in Aircraft Battles with the release of this feature.

We’d like to make an important note that this is the only first change to Battle Ratings for this feature, at the moment we’ve only included changes to top tier aircraft. For aircraft of the earlier ranks, we’re planning to change their Battle Ratings if needed in one of the planned Battle Ratings segments that we do. Overall we’ll be carefully monitoring changes in the performance of various vehicles.

We’ve prepared a handy table for you so that you can see the changes that are going to be made to the Battle Ratings of some vehicles.

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Click here for the table of separate Battle Rating changes
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[h2]Postponement news[/h2]

As of now, we’re currently working on Roadmap features for the second major update, but we’d like to talk about some features that have been delayed and will not be included this major update. We’ve developed separate Battle Ratings sooner than expected, however some features need some more time to be finalized.

The main one is the Research Bonuses for new nations Roadmap feature which we are delaying until after the second major update. This has been explained thoroughly in this post, but in essence our programmers need more time to create this feature, and it’s at the highest priority of the lead game designers. We anticipate it sometime after the second major update in one smaller update or an It’s Fixed update and we apologize that this has been delayed again.

We’re also postponing public squads and mechanics for searching for a squad based on the interests of players in-game. This one also needs more time from our designers and programmers and will come out in the future.

Our Community Managers have posted an article on the forum with insights regarding postponements, design mockups and other information regarding the Roadmap, second major update, vehicle events, bug reports and other things we’re working on. If you’ve not seen it yet, be sure to check it out in the link below!

[h3]
Click here to view this post
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[h2]Updated Roadmap Infographic[/h2]
We’re continuing to work on the Roadmap features for the second major update, and more details surrounding what’s to come will be released in the future. In the meantime, check out this updated Roadmap infographic — be sure to share it with your friends!

National Sailors Day in France: A Decal and the Duguay-Trouin Returns!



The history of French military victories at sea stretches back to the 17th century, from the War of the League of Augsburg. France pioneered many naval innovations, launching the first ever steam-powered battleship and diesel-electric submarine.

[h2]Duguay-Trouin is available for Golden Eagles and is here to stay![/h2]
This light cruiser is available for 1,600 Golden Eagles.



When: From May 22nd (11:00 GMT).
Where: France > Bluewater fleet > Premium vehicles.

About this light cruiser
  • The Duguay-Trouin is fragile but fast and well-armed and is best suited for teamwork. Use it to protect your allied ships from air attacks. Its 155 mm main caliber guns are also ready to give your opponents a really tough time!



[h2]Earn the “Emblem of the French naval academy” decal![/h2]
A themed decal for this day!



“Emblem of the French naval academy” decal

When: From May 22nd (11:00 GMT) until May 24th (11:00 GMT).
Task: Play 3 battles using French naval vessels at rank III or higher to receive the “Emblem of the French naval academy” decal!

Additional details:
  • You must use a minimum of rank III.
  • Your activity must not be below 70%.
  • You can complete the task in random battles, except for Enduring Confrontation missions, and [Assault] mode.
  • Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → National Sailor’s Day in France.
  • You can find the decal in the “France → Navy” tab in the Customization menu.