War Thunder News

The М53/59 Praga is a Czechoslovak wheeled SPAAG developed in the late 1950s on the chassis of the Praga V3S truck. Coming to War Thunder as part of the next major update , Praga will soon make its way to the Soviet ground forces tree and expand its roster of highly capable SPAA units!

Briefly: A Czech SPAAG based on a modified truck chassis and fitted with a twin 30 mm anti-aircraft turret.

[h2]М53/59, SPAAG, USSR, rank IV.[/h2]
Features:

• Powerful 30 mm cannons
  
• Magazine feed
  
• Good mobility
  
• Light protection
  

In War Thunder, М53/59 will be a new SPAA unit arriving to rank IV of the Soviet ground forces tree as part of the upcoming update “Sky Guardians”. Unlike the more advanced ZSU-57-2, the М53/59 isn’t fitted with high-caliber semi automatic cannons, but rather with a pair of 30 mm fully automatic cannons mounted on a highly responsive turret. Furthermore, its 30 mm cannons can be loaded with armor-piercing ammunition which possess ample penetrating power to present a serious threat to all but the most heavily protected opponents. However, being fed by magazines with just a 50 round capacity means that aspiring Praga commanders will have to count on frequently reloading in between engagements. Therefore be sure to anticipate this and always stay in close proximity of hard cover in order to facilitate a quick and safe reload.



Being based on the modified chassis of a proven truck design means that М53/59 can boast rather good mobility, even in off road conditions. The М53/59 can reach a top speed over 60 km/h on roads while seeing only a relatively small decrease in off-road conditions. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that despite its ruggedness, М53/59 is still a wheeled vehicle. As a result, very soft surfaces such as snow and mud will inevitably have a severe negative impact on its mobility - so best stay clear of them if you can!

In contrast to the original Praga truck it’s based on however, the М53/59 does feature some protection. Having its engine compartment and driver cabin encased in 10 mm of steel plating gives М53/59 sufficient protection when it comes to small arms fire and shrapnel. However, not only is this protection insufficient against targeted enemy fire but also the exposed turret in the rear of the vehicle is likely to be the first target the enemy will point its gun at. As a result, Praga can quickly be rendered ineffective or outright destroyed if commanders recklessly place their vehicle in the direct line of enemy fire.



The М53/59 will soon make its way to the higher ranks of the Soviet ground forces tree and will become available to all tankers following the release of the next major update “Sky Guardians”. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned and follow the news as we continue unveiling more of what the upcoming update has in store for you. Until then, happy hunting tankers!

An upgraded version of the menacing Phantom II multirole jet fighter will join the top ranks of the US air forces as a new Premium aircraft in the “Sky Guardians” update. Check the exclusive content available for pre-order pack owners!

The F-4S Phantom II fighter was developed as part of a modernization program launched in the United States in 1975 to extend the life of the F-4J fighter. Compared to its predecessor, the F-4S has significantly increased maneuverability and reduced landing and stall speeds. There are no internal guns installed, but it is possible to equip a container with a 20 mm Mk 11 mod 5 gun. The suspended weaponry is presented by the AIM-7F or AIM-9H guided air-to-air missiles, Zuni Mk 32 or FFAR Mighty Mouse unguided rockets, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 pound caliber bombs and also 500-pound Mk 77 incendiary bombs. The countermeasures represented by chaff and flares.

Pre-order of the F-4S Phantom II will automatically add to your account a pile of Golden Eagles, Premium days and will grant access to exclusive game content after the Sky Guardian update released: the "The Devil's Disciple" title, insignia of the VF-301 Fighter Squadron of the United States Naval Reserve, as well as majestic navy blue livery for your Phantom!

Pre-order - F-4S Phantom II Pack

• F-4S Phantom II (Rank 7, USA)
  
• 2500 Golden Eagles
  
• Premium account for 20 days
  
• Pre-order bonus: "The Devil's Disciple" title
  
• Pre-order bonus: VF-301 Insignia decal
  
• Pre-order bonus: Unique 'Vandy 75' camouflage, U.S. Navy
  

[h2]This pack can be pre-ordered from the Gaijin Store.[/h2]

All-weather multipurpose VTOL jet fighter Yak-141 will be the pinnacle of the Yakovlev fighter family in the Soviet tech tree with the upcoming “Sky Guardians” update!

[h2]Yak-141, Strike aircraft/Naval aircraft, USSR. Rank VIII[/h2]
Features:

• Supersonic
  
• Deadly air-to-air missiles
  
• VTOL capability
  
• Advanced electronics
  
• Lacks air-to-surface guided munitions
  

An experimental carrier-based multi-purpose V/STOL aircraft has been developed at the Yakovlev Design Bureau since the mid-1970s. The aircraft was designed as an advanced carrier-based aircraft to replace the Yak-38 with performance characteristics close to light fighters from the 4th generation. This jet fighter should become the standard carrier-based aircraft of the Soviet aircraft carriers, including carrier cruisers being designed and under construction. During development, the project has undergone many iterations, including fundamental changes in the aerodynamic schemes. Due to multiple issues and delays in the development of a power plant, the Yak-141 made its maiden flight only in March 1987, and deck tests on the Admiral Gorshkov aircraft-carrying cruiser began only at the end of 1991. Due to the economic crisis and lack of funding, the project was closed. The aircraft also did not arouse commercial interest among potential foreign operators. In total, four prototypes of the Yak-141 were built, including two flight ones, which are on display in two museums near Moscow.



The new Soviet carrier-based multi-role jet fighter Yak-141 (NATO reporting name “Freestyle”) , which will appear in the War Thunder “Sky Guardians” update, will become the most advanced V/STOL carrier-based aircraft of the USSR tech tree and the pinnacle of Yakovlev aircraft in the game. Vertical takeoff and landing, speed of about Mach 1.7, excellent air-to-air missiles and good ground attack capabilities are the main features of the new aircraft! And now a little more details.

VTOL aircraft are quite widely known in the game and are mastered by a large audience of pro pilots who find more and more new tactics due to the unique ability of changing the thrust vector. The common problem of such aircraft is the relatively low maximum speed, which at their ranks does not allow full-fledged competition with light and almost twice as fast opponents. Well, here comes the Yak-141! Possessing an excellent climb rate, this jump jet very quickly breaks the sonic barrier, and at high altitude is able to speed up over 1,800 km/h at minimal payloads. Add to this very sensitive controls, satisfying roll and turn speeds, a radar and a RWS… a winning formula for an interceptor, no?



But a top-tier interceptor cannot be good without effective missiles. Again, the Yak-141 is locked and loaded! The R-60 missiles for close combat and the R-27 family of medium-range missiles in three versions: the radar-guided R-27R, the thermal R-27T, as well as one of the best in the game R-27ER missiles are at your service. It's pleasant that there are four suspension points for air-to-air missiles, so the pilot can combine missiles of different ranges and different target acquisition principles. The GSh-30-1 rapid-firing cannon with a modest 120 rounds of ammunition will help in the snap-shoot face offs.

Since the Yak-141 was also supposed to provide fire support to the troops from the air, a rather high payload of conventional armaments could be suspended on the wings, from incendiary and HE bombs up to 500 kg, gun pods, to a variety of unguided rockets, including heavy S-24B . But there are no air-to-surface guided armaments here, so it is still better to choose the Yak-38 for hunting tanks in a hover.



The cockpits of the brand new Yak-141s will wide open their canopies for their pilots with the release of the “Sky Guardians” update very soon. Keep an eye on the Devblog series for the most interesting news about the patch. See you in the War Thunder skies!

Duguay-Trouin is the lead ship of her class of light cruisers built for the French navy in the years following the end of World War I. Being not only the first capital ship built by France in the postwar period, Duguay-Trouin will also be one of the first French vessels to arrive in War Thunder as part of the “Sky Guardians” major update!

[h2]Duguay-Trouin, light cruiser, France, Rank III. Premium vessel, available in the Pack.[/h2]
Features:

• Powerful primary armament
  
• Excellent mobility
  
• Versatile secondary weapons
  
• Very light protection
  

In War Thunder, Duguay-Trouin will be one the first French bluewater vessels, available for early pre-order. Considered a cutting-edge warship for its time, striking a perfect combination of mobility and firepower, Duguay-Trouin will not only offer its aspiring captains a unique set of capabilities but also a sneak peak at the French naval forces, due to arrive in a future update!

Fun Fact: Upon commissioning, ships of the Duguay-Trouin class were the first cruisers in the world to feature a linearly distributed primary battery housed in superfiring turrets.

Despite being an early ‘treaty cruiser’, Duguay-Trouin can boast a rather formidable weapons arsenal, particularly highlighted by its four twin 6.1’’ (155 mm) turrets forming the primary battery. Arriving to War Thunder in its late WWII-era refit means that Duguay-Trouin will also pack an equally respectable number of secondary weapons. For instance, the ship comes fitted with four 75 mm dual purpose guns as well as up to six 40 mm Bofors and 20 20 mm Oerlikon cannons!



However, Duguay-Trouin is not only a very well armed light cruiser, it’s also an extremely agile one at that too! Being powered by four steam turbines, generating a combined power output of 102,000 horsepower, Duguay-Trouin is able to reach an excellent top speed of 33 kts (61 km/h). Shedding protection can be considered Duguay-Trouin’s achilles heel as the ship’s protection may as well be viewed as only symbolic. With only up to 30 mm of armor plating shielding some of the ship’s most vital components, Duguay-Trouin is vulnerable to even direct destroyer fire at everything but extreme engagement distances. As a result, aspiring commanders of this warship simply cannot afford to take any unnecessary risks and expose their ship to overwhelming enemy fire. Instead, a more sensible tactic would be to assist your allies in the advance and provide accurate fire support to sink hostile ships or down inbound enemy aircraft which dare to fly too close.



The light cruiser Duguay-Trouin is available as part of the early access pack for the open testing of the French navy in War Thunder, which we have planned for one of the updates following the “Sky Guardians”. The early access pack will also give you special pre-order bonuses, which are available only before the start of the OBT, and will also allow you to train several crews in vehicle slots so that when testing begins, you will have skilled sailors and officers! As a reminder, like the destroyer Aigle, the light cruiser Duguay-Trouin will have three respawns in the Arcade and Realistic battles before testing the French fleet begins.

[h2]The Duguay-Trouin Pack can be pre-ordered from the Gaijin Store.[/h2]

[h2]Ground vehicles[/h2]

• A bug has been fixed where zooming in the sniper sight might shift the crosshair.
  

• Harrier GR.7, Q-5 — a bug has been fixed where there might occur intersection of the player’s camera and the TIALD pod view (report).
  

• 100 sec delay before decreasing the team victory points has been revoked for cases when enemy players have no available respawns. This applied for all gaming modes, except for Enduring Confrontation and Assault mode.
  
• We have received multiple reports on players in Realistic aircraft battles, who stay on the airfield and try to earn experience by taking off and landing over and over again. Now, the take off reward can only be achieved once in 3 minutes. Let’s play fair and respect others.
  
• A bug has been fixed with the different bleed time of team points for a player outnumbered by an enemy team, or when in the vehicle respawn menu.
  
• A bug has been fixed where enemy artillery had no markers in air Assault mode.
  

[h2]Interface[/h2]

• When completing a Battle Pass challenge, you will now see in the debriefing window the “Challenges” button for easily getting your reward.
  

The current provided changelog reflects the major changes within the game as part of this Update. Some updates, additions and fixes may not be listed in the provided notes. War Thunder is constantly improving and specific fixes may be implemented without the client being updated.