War Thunder News

The Merkava Mk.4B is the latest and most advanced variant of the famous Israeli main battle tank, entering production in the early 2000s. Soon, both the Merkava Mk.4B as well as the upgraded Mk.4M version will be arriving to War Thunder as the top vehicles of the upcoming Israeli ground forces tree awaiting tankers in the next major update “Wind of Change''!

Briefly: The most advanced iteration of the Merkava MBT, featuring a novel active protection system, capable of intercepting certain incoming projectiles.

[h3]Merkava Mk.4M, main battle tank, Israel, rank VII[/h3]
Features:

• Strengthened armor
  
• Improved mobility
  
• Powerful 120mm cannon
  

In War Thunder, the Merkava Mk.4B will mirror its real-life counterpart by becoming the top vehicle available to tankers in the upcoming Israeli ground forces tree, arriving as part of the next major update “Wind of Change''. Joining the fight in both its base model as well as in the upgraded Mk.4M variant, tankers in War Thunder may look forward to the arrival of a highly capable Israeli MBT to top ranked battles!

Veteran tankers in War Thunder are well familiarized with the Merkava series of MBTs as they are a common appearance in high ranked battles. Known for their exceptional survivability and respectable offensive capabilities, the new Merkava Mk.4B continues building upon these basic design principles established with the very first vehicle of the series. As a result, the Merkava Mk.4B inherits its predecessor's MG253 120mm smoothbore cannon along with access to highly potent kinetic and chemical ammunition choices. Furthermore, the vehicle also retains its signature comprehensive machine gun arsenal as found on previous models, albeit reduced by turret-mounted one rifle-caliber MG.



While the Merkava Mk.4B retains its lethal firepower, the changes it received to its protection are far more significant. For starters, the vehicle retains the strong modular composite armor found on the Merkava Mk.3D. However, the shape has been optimized to increase its effectiveness even further. As a result, the turret of the Merkava has become more rounded, particularly at the front section, thus virtually eliminating certain weak points found on previous variants.

Furthermore, the Merkava Mk.4M is equipped with the novel ‘Trophy’ active protection system with so-called ‘hard-kill’ ability. This means that the system is able to detect slow incoming projectiles, such as missiles, and launch a tight spread of small projectiles in its direction in an effort to destroy the incoming threat before it makes contact with the vehicle.



As the changes implemented on the Merkava Mk.4B also increased its mass once again, engineers fitted the vehicle with a more powerful 1,500 horsepower diesel engine, bringing it roughly on par with most other nations’ MBTs found in the game. As a result, not only does the Merkava Mk.4B compensate for its increased mass, but it’s also able to attain a higher top speed, going up to 64 km/h on paved roads.

The Merkava Mk.4B and Mk.4M will await all tankers at the top rank of the upcoming Israeli ground forces tree, arriving to War Thunder as part of the next major update “Wind of Change''. In the meantime, keep a weather eye on the news as we continue showcasing more exciting new additions and features awaiting you in the upcoming update. Until then, happy hunting tankers!

In the upcoming “Wind of Change” update, we will introduce hard-kill active protection systems for War Thunder armored vehicles!

The hard-kill active protection is a system that hits against incoming projectiles fired at your vehicle, thus eliminating or significantly reducing the damaging effect. Usually, such a system includes sensors to detect approaching threats, a computing unit that analyzes the data received from sensors and permits threat neutralization, as well as a set of counter-munitions that intercept the incoming projectile. As soon as the sensors detect a projectile aimed at the vehicle, counter-ammunition is fired in its direction to destroy the enemy projectile by a directed pattern of shrapnel.

The first serial hard-kill APS was the Soviet "Drozd", which began to be used on tanks of the T-55 series. It was also planned to be used with the T-62 tanks, as well as T-80U and T-84 tanks for testing purposes of the modified APS units. Later, the hard-kill active protection was used by the Israeli armed forces on their Merkava Mk.4M main battle tanks. At present, various models of such systems are widely used on other models of vehicles worldwide.



The first tanks equipped with hard-kill active protection systems in the War Thunder “Wind of Change” update will be the Soviet T-55AMD-1 with the “Drozd” APS, the British Challenger Black Night with “Iron Fist”, and the Israeli Merkava Mk.4M and its advanced “Trophy” APS. Depending on the model, the characteristics of the hard-kill APS differ in the sector of radar and counter-munitions, the threat response time, and the ability to intercept anti-tank rounds at high speeds. For example, the earlier APS units are able to effectively counteract the relatively slow anti-tank guided missiles and shape-charged rounds in the end of their trajectory. Up-to-date hard-kill units are capable of counteracting even high-velocity kinetic ammunition, including APFSDS rounds fired from long distances.

In the game interface, the effective sector of the APS locator and the remaining number of counter-munitions are displayed in the lower left corner of the vehicle's combat interface, on the indicator of the current position and received damage. Counter-ammunition, as well as regular ammunition, can be replenished at captured points during battle. To train out combat scenarios for using hard-kill APS, a marked zone appears in the test drive that is fired by an AI tank. Try the new protection options, learn your equipment and master it in battles!

The PUMA is the successor to the well-known German Marder series of combat vehicles and represents the most advanced IFV currently in service with the Bundeswehr. Soon, tankers will have the chance to take command of the PUMA as it arrives to the top ranks of the German ground forces tree as part of the next major update ‘Wind of Change’!

[h3]PUMA, light tank, Germany, rank VI[/h3]
Features:

• Excellent mobility
  
• Punchy 30mm cannon
  
• Active protection system
  

In War Thunder, the PUMA will be a new light vehicle joining the top ranks of the German ground forces tree as part of the upcoming update ‘Wind of Change’. While bearing a familiar name to most seasoned German tankers, you can rest assured that this feline predator doesn’t come with outdated 1940s tech!

Being the successor to the popular Marder infantry fighting vehicle, which arrived to War Thunder in previous updates, the PUMA builds upon some general characteristics shared with its predecessor while combining them with certain upgrades. For example, PUMA’s primary armament is represented by the 30 mm Mk 30-2/ABM autocannon. Despite its lower rate of fire compared to the Marder’s 20 mm cannon, the PUMA’s gun is not only of higher caliber but is also capable of firing more advanced ammunition. As a result, the sub-caliber rounds make the PUMA deadlier when facing more heavily armored opponents, while access to timed fuze airburst shells allow the PUMA to pose a substantial threat to enemy helicopters even at a distance. Unlike the Marder however, tankers don’t get access to an ATGM launcher on the PUMA, thus limiting the latter’s effectiveness at long distance engagements.



However, what the PUMA might lack in offensive capabilities, it certainly does make up for in protection. Despite the PUMA still being a light combat vehicle, it’s equipped with reactive armor blocks fitted to the vehicle’s sides, in turn boosting its protection against chemical anti-tank munitions. Furthermore, PUMA’s ‘MUSS’ active protection system provides a protective sphere around the vehicle against incoming missiles. The system works in a similar fashion to the familiar ‘Shtora’ system found on the Soviet T-90A MBT. Namely, it blocks the guidance signal of incoming missiles, thus confusing the projectile and making it miss its mark. Contrary to the Soviet system however, tankers won’t need to point in the direction of the incoming threat however. Instead, the system is fully automatic and constantly surveys the 360 degrees of the vehicle’s surroundings. This handy feature will especially help shield the PUMA from ATGMs fired by helicopters, as this is typically their weapon of choice.

One aspect in which the PUMA truly excels is mobility. In fact, the PUMA is powered by a 1,088 horsepower diesel engine, giving the vehicle an excellent 25.3 hp/t power-to-weight ratio. As a result, not only can the PUMA reach a top speed of 70 km/h under ideal conditions, but it can also navigate even the harshest terrain types with relative ease. Using its excellent mobility to the full extent is recommended as the PUMA is a comparably large vehicle with a tall profile. Therefore avoiding enemy detection is of paramount importance to ensure the PUMA can deliver deadly blows to the hostile ranks!



The PUMA will be available to all War Thunder tankers after it arrives to rank VI of the German ground forces tree as part of the next major update. In the meantime, stay sharp as we continue releasing more news articles covering the exciting new additions awaiting you in the upcoming update ‘Wind of Change’. Good hunting, tankers!

[h2]Ground vehicles[/h2]

• Stormer HVM — incorrect scoring of the “Fire arrows” award for destroying aircraft has been corrected.
  
• M3 Bradley, M3A3 Bradley — a bug with incorrect declination angle of the ATGM launcher in RB has been fixed..
  
• SMK — incorrect armour values in the info card have been fixed.
  
• Sho`t Kal Dalet — name of the coaxial machine gun has been corrected in x-ray mode.
  

[h2]Other[/h2]

• Downloading additional content will no longer be interrupted when joining battle.
  
• Israeli Air Force decals can be used on Israeli aircraft only.
  

[hr][/hr]
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.

The Machbet is an advanced Israeli anti-aircraft vehicle, developed by upgrading the IDF’s existing M163 VADS with Stinger missiles. Soon, the Machbet will become available to tankers as the top SPAA unit of the upcoming Israeli ground forces tree, arriving in the game as part of the next major War Thunder update!

Briefly: An further development of the M163 VADS in service with the IDF, upgraded to carry Stinger missiles.
[h3]Machbet, SPAA, Israel, rank VI[/h3]
Features:

• Deadly 20mm ‘Vulcan” cannon
  
• Stinger missiles
  
• Thermal imager
  
• Lightly armored
  
• Mediocre mobility
  

In War Thunder, the Machbet will be the top SPAA vehicle awaiting tankers in the new and upcoming Israeli ground forces tree, arriving to the game as part of the next major update. Based on the fearsome M163 VADS, the Machbet further improves the Vulcan’s capabilities by augmenting its weapons arsenal with a Stinger missile launcher, thus more than doubling the vehicle’s effective range against aircraft.

As previously mentioned, the Machbet is based on the M163 VADS, already familiar to some more seasoned War Thunder tankers. As such, the Machbet inherited its relative’s primary armament - the M168 ‘Vulcan’ 20mm rotary cannon - which is both highly regarded by tankers and feared by pilots for its impressive rate of fire and excellent ballistic properties.



However, as the Vulcan’s range is rather limited to just over 2 km and this being further compounded by the speed at which jet aircraft can enter and exit this effective range, Israeli engineers choose to upgrade the vehicle with a quadruple SAM launcher, firing the FIM-92 Stinger missiles. As a result, the Machbet is not only capable of engaging hostile aircraft within the range of its 20mm cannon, but it can further extend its protective sphere to around 5.5 km thanks to the addition of the missiles. Another advantage of the Stinger missiles is that tankers don’t need to manually guide the missile to the target, as their IR-guidance automates this process. Instead, tankers just need to acquire the target, lock in on it and fire! Simple as that.

While the Machbet features a handy upgrade to its firepower, the remaining characteristics of the vehicle remain virtually identical to the familiar M163. As a result, the Machbet matches the M163’s mobility by being able to attain a top speed of around 68 km/h on paved roads, while its overall mobility remains somewhat lackluster in more demanding terrain types. Furthermore, by relying on the same M113 chassis as the M163, the Machbet is rather susceptible to hostile fire due to its only light armor. In effect, this means that the Machbet is only resistant to rifle-caliber fire and shrapnel while anything heavier than that is capable of seriously damaging or even outright destroying the vehicle. Therefore, aspiring commanders of this machine are well advised to stay away from the frontline and take up a defensive position in the second line while keeping the skies clear of hostile birds of prey.



The Machbet will be available to all tankers as the top SPAA unit of the upcoming Israeli ground forces tree, arriving to War Thunder as part of the next major update. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to the news in order to keep up with the latest developments surrounding the upcoming update. Until then, happy hunting tankers!