War Thunder News

The Yak-38 was a Soviet strike fighter with VTOL capabilities, developed in the early 1970’s by the Yakovlev design bureau for use aboard Kiev-class aircraft carriers. Soon, two of the more widespread variants of this highly interesting aircraft will join the top ranks of the Soviet aviation tree in the next major War Thunder update. “New Power”!

In War Thunder, the Yak-38 and its later modification is the Soviet response to the Harrier jet - also arriving in the game as part of the upcoming ‘New Power’ update and covered in a previous devblog. Unlike the Harrier however, the Yak-38 incorporates even more unorthodox design choices and offers its future pilots a greater selection of secondary weapons, which when coupled with its VTOL capabilities make it a true force to be reckoned with on the battlefield!



Among the most notable differences which distinguish the Soviet Yak-38M from the Harrier is the fact that the Yak-38M is powered by up to three jet engines, compared to the Harrier’s one. The main engine is a Tumansky R-28-300 turbofan engine, generating 7,300 kgf of thrust and powering the aircraft’s two rear thrust nozzles. The other two engines are a pair of Kolesov RD-38 turbojet engines, mounted vertically behind the cockpit and generating 3,250 kgf of thrust each.

The latter engines are used by the aircraft solely for VTOL maneuvering, whereas the Tumansky engine is used both for VTOL as well as generating thrust for forward movement. Pilots can easily observe this engineering symphony during VTOL maneuvers as large hatches open up on both the ventral and dorsal side of the aircraft allowing air to flow through the two vertically mounted engines, while the rear thrust nozzles get pointed downward, enabling hovering. Overall, the Yak-38M can reach a top speed of around 1,150 km/h in normal flight while also being able to get up to 450 km/h in hover mode.



Having established that the Yak-38M is no slouch when it comes to its flight characteristics, it’s also worth noting that the aircraft has access to a fairly powerful weapons arsenal too! The aircraft can be equipped with a range of unguided bombs and rockets, additional gunpods as well as guided munitions in the shape of the infamous R-60 AAM and Kh-23M AGM. This allows it to tackle a wide range of combat missions, from ground support to combat air patrol, with relative ease.



While the Yak-38M will be available to all pilots as the new top aircraft of the Yakovlev line in the Soviet aviation tree, the earlier Yak-38 modification will be exclusive to a special bundle available in our online store. Although the differences between the two aircraft are minimal, the Yak-38 most notably offers its prospective owners additional rewards thanks to its premium status as well as instant access to the new VTOL mechanics for pilots particularly eager to try them out!

The Yak-38 and Yak-38M are arriving in War Thunder as part of the upcoming update ‘New Power’ and will soon find their place at the top ranks of the Soviet aviation tree. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to the news as we continue unveiling what other exciting new additions await you in the update ‘New Power’ - coming very soon! We’ll see you in the next one, pilots.

Imperatritsa Mariya was one of the first dreadnought battleships that entered service with the Russian Empire before the outbreak of the First World War. Meet the top ship in the Russian Navy line in the War Thunder "New Power" update!

The battleship Imperatritsa Mariya will appear in our game with the release of the New Power update at rank V of the USSR Navy research tree. In terms of the approach to the composition of artillery and armor, the battleship is a classic dreadnought, but the layout with a flat deck, four three-gun turrets on a longitudinal axis and an almost complete absence of superstructures significantly distinguish the Mariya from her peers.

The main caliber on the ship is four three-gun turrets with 305mm cannons, all the turrets can fire simultaneously at one target from the left or right side. In addition to a massive one-second salvo, the Russian battleship is distinguished by the truly devastating semi-armor-piercing shells for the main caliber with a mass of 471 kg and an explosive mass over 55 kg! Imperatritsa Mariya has an impressive secondary caliber - 20 130mm cannons, 10 on each side. The main armament of the battleship is supplemented by four single-tube torpedo tubes with a supply of torpedoes. But the anti-aircraft armament of the Imperatritsa Mariya leaves much to be desired - you will have only four 75mm unitary loading cannons, one on the roof of each gun turret. Of course, such a battery is not capable of effectively fighting enemy aircraft.





Meet the Imperatritsa Mariya in the upcoming War Thunder update “New Power” along with battleships from other gaming nations - the big ships are coming!

Check out the full Dev Blog article here!

The Celere Sahariano was a late war experimental Italian medium tank, developed in response to the highly mobile British cruiser tanks encountered in the deserts of North Africa. Although the war ended before the Celere Sahariano could enter production, it will soon reinforce the lower ranks of the Italian ground forces tree in the upcoming “New Power” War Thunder update!

In War Thunder, the Celere Sahariano will be a new premium medium tank arriving to the lower ranks of the Italian ground forces tree with the release of the upcoming major update. Unlike most other Italian tracked fighting vehicles found at this rank, the Celere Sahariano combines superb mobility with a small profile and quick firing cannon, making for an excellent low rank scout and representing a good alternative to some of the heavier frontline fighters found at the same rank.





The Celere Sahariano will soon be arriving in War Thunder and will reinforce the Italian ground forces tree as a new medium tank of the lower ranks, available to tankers with the release of the upcoming update. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to the news to catch all the latest developments in the next major update “New Power”, coming to the game in the near future. Until then, happy hunting tankers!

Check out the full Dev Blog article here!

The 11th of November has a special place in the Polish People's hearts. On this date, Poland celebrates the anniversary of regaining independence! 102 years ago, on November the 11th 1918, after 123 years, Poland reappeared on European maps. To celebrate this anniversary, we have prepared a special event!

[h3]From the 11th of November (11:00 GMT) until the 13th of November (11:00 GMT)[/h3]
Participate in 3 battles using vehicles from the British tech tree of rank 2 or above and with an activity of 60% or more to receive the decal “Polish Hussars Helmet”.


Polish Hussars Helmet

• The tasks can be completed in random battles except Enduring Confrontation and Assault missions
  
• To follow your progress just click on your Nickname → Achievements → Independence Day of Poland.
  

[h3]Lanovsky's P-47M-1-RE Thunderbolt[/h3]

Purchase a Premium Lanovsky's P-47M-1-RE Thunderbolt for the US Tech Tree.
Note! Aircraft will only be available for purchase until the 13th of November (11:00 GMT)!

The PTZ-89 is a Chinese tank destroyer, developed during the 1980’s in an effort to produce a combat vehicle capable of defeating some of the most common second generation MBT’s at the time. Soon, this deadly marksman will join the top ranks of the Chinese ground forces tree with the release of the upcoming major update "New Power"!

In War Thunder, the PTZ-89 will be a new tank destroyer arriving to the game as part of the upcoming “New Power” update, subsequently also becoming the new crowning jewel of the Chinese tank destroyer line. Being a domestic Chinese tank design, the PTZ-89 places emphasis on firepower and mobility, relying on its devastating cannon to knock out its opponents and quickly changing positions to avoid detection by its enemies!





The PTZ-89 is soon arriving to rank VI of the Chinese ground forces tree, with the release of the upcoming War Thunder “New Power” update. In the meantime, make sure to stay tuned to the news for all the latest developments surrounding the next major update coming to the game very soon. Until then, happy hunting tankers!

Check our the full Dev Blog article here!