War Thunder News

While you’re waiting for the Kings of Battle major update to install, we’re going to be talking about some of the new features and mechanics that have arrived alongside this update that you might have missed. Let’s take a look!

[h2]Armor-piercing bombs for several aircraft![/h2]
A new type of bomb has been added to several aircraft: Armor-Piercing bombs! Historically, this bomb was specifically designed to destroy fortified targets, such as ships, bunkers, coastal defense structures and so on. Due to its different design and principle of fuze operation, armor-piercing bombs detonate after penetrating a certain armor thickness. In the game, these bombs are effective in destroying larger ship compartments that may include magazine storage areas, fuel tanks and engine rooms, which are usually protected by an armored deck.

The full list of armor-piercing bombs that have been added to several aircraft is in the major changelog, click here to see them.



[h2]Damage from separated discarding sabot![/h2]
Discarding sabot is an important part of APFSDS and APDS shells, as it transfers the necessary kinetic energy to the core dart, and is often made of hard metals. Therefore in this update, we’ve completely modeled discarding sabot! This means that when firing an APFSDS or APDS round, discarding sabot can travel up to 1km and penetrate thin armor, kind of like buckshot from a shotgun. This can be handy when firing at light targets where the core dart flies through an empty part of a light tank — pieces of discarding sabot may also penetrate and hit important module parts, or even scrape a crew member and knock them out. Check out the video below of this new mechanic!



[h2]Improving “Fire and Forget” missile guidance![/h2]
Previously, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) with the “fire and forget” principle targeted the center of a tank silhouette — as a result, these missiles often failed to hit critical components. In this major update, we’ve introduced a small aiming error, which will increase the likelihood of these missiles hitting other important internal components located near the center of a ground vehicle.



[h2]Multi-Functional HMD for F-16 jets![/h2]
Thanks to your feedback, we’ve introduced a highly sophisticated and detailed Multi-function Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) system called the JHMCS (Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System) which is used on the F-16C Block 50 and F-16D Block 40 (Barak II).

Now, a HMD can be activated using a dedicated button and doesn’t just activate automatically during missile launches, and capability for radar cueing through the helmet system has been added. A HMD will provide you with information such as current G-Forces, indicated airspeed, line of sight heading, line of sight (the crosshair), the current designated ground target, altitude in feet and the direction of infrared homing for air-to-air missiles (if the indicator is crossed out, the IR seeker is out of the HMD display).

A HMD also displays information about the onboard radiation warning system, which includes the name of the radiating source, the direction to the source indicated by a diamond, and the line of sight relative to the aircraft, shown as a missing arc on a circle. In addition to this, you can now stabilize the targeting system by simply looking at a ground target and pressing your key. These are the best electronics for those of you who love the F-16, and we hope you’ll appreciate them!

• 1. Radar Warning System source signal:
  
  • name of the vehicle.
    
  • signal direction — diamond.
    
  • view positioning — a gap in the circle.
    
• 2. Current G-force.
  
• 3. Indicated air speed, kn.
  
• 4. View direction.
  
• 5. Crosshair.
  
• 6. Acquired target (when strikethrough — the target is out the HMD).
  
• 7. Altitude, ft.
  
• 8. Seeker direction (when strikethrough — the seeker is out of the HMD).
  

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Dear players!

On October 31st, from 08:00 GMT, the War Thunder game servers may be unavailable due to the release of the “Kings of Battle” major update.

We apologize for any inconvenience experienced.

This new top Italian Battleship, the RN Conte di Cavour, will join the ranks of the mightiest ships within the Bluewater fleet. Meet one of the most interesting ships in the “Kings of Battle” major update!

[h2]RN Conte di Cavour: A Battleship for Italy at Rank VI[/h2]

Features:

• 320 mm caliber artillery.
  
• Good air defense.
  
• Comparatively weak armor.
  

[h2]Meet RN Conte di Cavour![/h2]

This brand-new flagship battleship will join Italy's Bluewater fleet and interestingly is a participant in both World Wars. Featuring a decent arsenal in the form of its main caliber cannon that can fire armor-piercing shells, as well as effective air defense weapons, which are lacking on so many other ships constructed near to the First World War period. Let’s dive into the details!

[h3]

Interesting: Battleship RN Conte di Cavour was named in honor of Count Camillo-Benso di Cavour, the first Prime Minister of Italy.

[/h3]



When the RN Conte di Cavour arrives in the game, it’ll be a ship for the more skillful players — it’ll rarely forgive mistakes, but with competent use, it’ll be a team leader both in the number of destroyed enemies and the amount of support provided. What are its main caliber weapons? The familiar Duilio 320mm GK. These guns do not have the best characteristics in rate of fire or in caliber, but having said this, its fire rate of 21 shells per minute is competitive enough! In addition to this, armor-piercing shells can also be used, which are comparable to the early 14" (356 mm) ammunition of the Japanese Imperial Navy, providing you with fantastic capabilities in duels at any range of battle. Its main caliber weapons are complemented with auxiliary batteries in the form of six twin barrel turrets with 135mm guns, with 3 per side.



Moving onto the armor and survivability of the RN Conte di Cavour, which is a bit on the weaker side. The most protected part of the armored belt is located below the waterline — there, the armor is 250 mm thick, while above water, the side is protected by two belts of 220 and 130 mm of armor. The turret armor is better — 280 mm in the area of the frontal part and up to 240 mm at the sides. In terms of crew, the Conte di Cavour has a crew of just 1,280 people, which is a decent enough amount!



What other strengths does the RN Conte di Cavour have? Its anti-aircraft capabilities shine. These guns can fire at enemy aircraft with 135 mm high-explosive shells that contain remote fuzes for longer ranges. This ship’s second line of defense is in the form of 10 x 65 mm Ansaldo-Terni rapid-firing guns located on single mounts, which may be familiar to those of you who use the RN Etna light cruiser. Against low altitude aircraft attacks, 20 mm Breda cannons with a total of 31 barrels is great for additional protection. For such a battleship, these additional weapons are a big plus, as it allows it to survive air attacks when not amongst allied ships. In addition to this, we’d like to note that the EC3/ter Gufo radar is on this ship, which helps to detect any threat from the air.



[h3]

In your matches: Pro-tips when using the RN Conte di Cavour by Igor, Naval Game Designer: “In my opinion, the RN Conte di Cavour should not be considered as a pure representative of the Battleship class — in terms of characteristics, it’s closer to the Kronshtadt or USS Alaska. Don’t engage enemies from the very beginning of the battle and don’t stop at nearest islands. Keep maximum distance, maneuver and concentrate on the use of armor-piercing shells of the main caliber guns and putting auxiliary caliber guns with automatic control. Use HE-TF for the 135mm guns — in duels against battleships, it’s unlikely to help, but this type of shell significantly enhances anti-aircraft and anti-coastal boat potential!”

[/h3]



Coming in based on its historical design, in which it never had the chance to see combat,
Battleship RN Conte di Cavour will appear in the game at rank VI of the Italian Bluewater Fleet with the release of the “Kings of Battle” major update. Until then, enjoy your matches and see you soon!

We loved seeing pictures of your customized vehicles that you shared with us last week! Custom camouflages are uploaded all the time on the official site. Feel free to wander and search when your favorite vehicle needs a new appearance! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 91st edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen91. You have time until 03.11.2023 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 the colors black or orange.
You must add the #WTscreen91 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 90th edition - Masters of Art![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3060386154
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3056368642
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3058082175

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3058995100
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3060450719
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3058511820

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

The Black Hawk is an American utility helicopter developed as the successor to the prolific UH-1 Huey. Arriving to the game in the upcoming War Thunder update in one of its later modifications, the MH-60L expands upon the strengths of its predecessor and will soon reinforce the American helicopter trees!

[h2]MH-60L Black Hawk: A Helicopter for the USA at Rank VII[/h2]

Features:

• Advanced ordnance options.
  
• Good survivability.
  
• HIRSS and IRCM
  

[h2]Meet the MH-60L Black Hawk![/h2]

In War Thunder, the MH-60L Black Hawk will arrive as one of the top additions to the American research tree with the release of the upcoming major update! Being introduced in one of its later modifications, the MH-60L features overall design improvements which most notably allow it to carry a powerful weapons arsenal. Let’s dive into the details!

[h3]

Interesting: The MH-60L was given the name “Black Hawk”, from Black Hawk who was a Native American Sauk leader in the 19th century.

[/h3]



Arriving to the game in its special “Direct Action Penetrator” modification, the MH-60L features provisions to carry a wide range of ordnance. This includes advanced air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles in the form of Hellfire, AGR-20A and A and Stingers respectively, but also more conventional weapons such as unguided Hydra rocket pods! In short, the Black Hawk’s arsenal can be adapted to any mission scenario and will allow you to engage the enemy from a distance with missiles as well as get in up close and personal with unguided rockets and gunpods.



While the Black Hawk is quite fast for a helicopter and possesses exceptional armament to both engage aerial and surface targets, it remains easy prey to vigilant enemy anti-air units as well as pilots, not least because of the MH-60L’s comparably large size. To assist you in surviving the many dangers of the modern battlefield, the MH-60L comes equipped with modern RWR, heat suppression and IRCM systems as well as flares and chaff! This is all in an effort to make target acquisition for enemy forces more challenging and give the Black Hawk better odds of escaping a dangerous situation unscathed.



[h3]

In your matches: Pro-tips when using the MH-60L Black Hawk by Tom (Oxy), WT Community Manager (TL): “It’s known for being quite robust as far as helicopters go, but only relatively — it can take a beating but it’s far from invulnerable, so make sure you aren’t treating it like it's invulnerable with how you play it. Like most helicopters, try to stick around cover and avoid sitting out in the open. It also comes with a wide array of weaponry, so I’d suggest making a few different presets tailored to different maps.”

[/h3]



The MH-60L Black Hawk will soon bolster the top ranks of the American helicopter tree upon its arrival to War Thunder as part of the next major update. In the meantime, make sure to keep a close watch on the news as we continue unveiling more interesting new features awaiting you in the upcoming update. Until then, see you soon!