War Thunder News

Today we’ll be taking a look at the American-made M44 self-propelled howitzer, making its way to several nations in the “Storm Warning” major update!

[h2]M44: A Tank Destroyer for the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Italy and France at Rank III[/h2]
At a glance:

• 155 mm howitzer with powerful HE shells!
  
• Excellent gun traverse speed, can react to new threats quickly.
  
• Limited horizontal aiming angles.
  
• Weakly armored and open topped.
  

Vehicle History
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The American M44 self-propelled howitzer emerged in the early 1950s as part of a program to develop a new 155 mm self-propelled gun to replace the outdated M41 howitzer platform. During production, the initial vehicle designated as the T99E1 revealed several shortcomings that required a redesign. The updated model featured a new fighting compartment with a modified howitzer. By 1954, the U.S. Army decided to focus on exporting the M44 to other countries. The M44 later ended up in service with Germany, the UK, Italy, Turkey, Belgium and Japan.
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[h2]Introducing the M44![/h2]

The M44 self-propelled howitzer will be coming to a handful of nations in the Storm Warning major update! This surprisingly fast vehicle equipped with a hefty 155 mm gun will be a great addition to rank III lineups. Despite its drawbacks, it will always be able to effectively combat the toughest vehicles in the bracket. Let’s take a closer look at this new beast!



Mounted on the chassis of the Walker Bulldog light tank, the M44 is quite fast for a vehicle of this type. It’s able to reach speeds up to 56 km/h on roads, and can maneuver and cruise effectively off-road as well. The 155 mm howitzer is placed in an open mount and can traverse a max of 30 degrees horizontally each side, with 5 degrees of gun depression. The primary round available is the classic M107 HE shell, familiar to many of you who may play howitzer type vehicles. It can also fire a large smoke shell as well, but won’t have access to proximity HE.

Fun Fact: The M44 uses an inverted version of the chassis found on the M41 Walker Bulldog. The rear road wheels became idlers, while the drive wheels were relocated near the engine compartment.



One primary drawback of course is the thin armor and open crew compartment, making the M44 highly vulnerable to ground vehicles and aircraft. Plus, the reload speed is a bit of a limiting factor. Try to stick close to some form of vertical cover like buildings or large rocks — this will provide protection when retreating to reload, and make you harder to spot from the air. Thanks to the high mobility, an aggressive close-range play-style is definitely possible, but significantly riskier due to the reload and limited traverse angles. Despite the fragility however, the M44 is still a powerful and versatile howitzer platform, giving it a unique play-style at the lower ranks!



That’s it for this one! The M44 will be arriving to War Thunder in the Storm Warning major update at rank III, becoming available for the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Italy and France. Make sure to stay tuned for more news on upcoming vehicles and features. We’ll see you soon!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

The Russian carrier-based Su-33 fighter is coming to the game as a Squadron Vehicle in the next major update!

[h2]Su-33: A Squadron Vehicle Jet / Naval Fighter Aircraft for the USSR at Rank VIII[/h2]
At a glance:

• Excellent flight characteristics.
  
• Up to 12 weapon hardpoints!
  
• Short and medium range missiles.
  
• HMD.
  
• LARGE!
  

Vehicle History
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The program to create a new carrier-based fighter based on the Su-27 began in the early 1980s in connection with plans to build a heavy aircraft carrier, the Project 1143-5. In 1984, a decree was issued to create a new carrier-based fighter. Serial production began in 1989 at KnAAPO. The first flight of the Su-33 took place in February 1990. Testing dragged on until 1994 due to the collapse of the USSR and financial difficulties, and by that time only 24 aircraft had been produced. In 1995, aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, with the Su-33 on board, set out on a long ocean voyage to the Mediterranean for the first time. The Su-33’s baptism of fire took place from November 2016 to January 2017, when the Admiral Kuznetsov carried out combat missions as part of the Russian Navy’s far-off maritime zone task force off the coast of Syria.
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[h2]Introducing the Su-33![/h2]

Meet the carrier-based Su-33, another powerful representative of the Su-27 jet fighter family, coming to the game in the Storm Warning major update as a Squadron Vehicle. Let’s take a look at what surprises you can expect with this modern Russian carrier-based aircraft!



The Su-33 is a heavy and very large aircraft with an excellent maximum top speed and roll rate, capable of very sharp maneuvers. However, due to its dimensions and tendency to quickly lose energy, it’s not that suitable for maneuverable air combat. Despite this however, the high strength of the airframe allows for fantastically bold changes in the angle of attack, with the helmet mounted display system giving a great advantage in close combat.

Like its brothers, the Su-33 is capable of performing a wide range of tasks in battles. This aircraft does not have missiles with active radar, so you’ll only be able to start an engagement after approaching. In terms of weaponry, the Su-33 features the all-aspect R-73 air-to-air missile in conjunction with HMD. In addition to this, the Su-33 can also take R-27 missiles, including the R-27ER, one of the best SARH missiles in the game, plus the R-27ET. One key advantage of the Su-33 is that it has 12 hardpoints! A modern radar and informative RWR also give this aircraft a complete picture of the battle and any surrounding threats.



In Ground Battles, the Su-33 can carry a load of conventional bombs, such as incendiary bombs, parachute bombs, and regular dumb bombs up to 500 kg, plus rockets like the S-5 and S-25O. And thanks to the large number of hardpoints, you’ll still be able to take a good supply of air-to-air missiles into battle without forfeiting ground attack ordnance!

Interesting: We’re pleased to present a new aircraft carrier model for War Thunder carriers in Air Battles — the heavy aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov! The model will appear in the game in the next update.



That’s it for this one! The Su-33 will arrive to the game in the Storm Warning major update. Like other Squadron Vehicles, this one can be purchased with enough squadron activity points, or simply bought instantly with Golden Eagles. Make sure to join a squadron in War Thunder to unlock this new aircraft just by playing the game!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

The Lockheed Hudson patrol bomber first took to the air on December 10th 1938 in Burbank, California. Two months later, deliveries began to the Royal Air Force, who ordered 200 Hudson aircraft, making it Lockheed’s first major order. The Mk V modification received a more powerful 14-cylinder Twin Wasp engine with 1,200 HP.

[h2]The Hudson Mk V is temporarily available for Golden Eagles![/h2]
This bomber is available for just 700 Golden Eagles!

When: From today until December 13th (07:00 GMT).
Where: Great Britain > Aviation > Premium vehicles.



About this aircraft

• The Hudson Mk V carries both bombs and regular rockets. It’s quite fast for a bomber and surprisingly durable, protected by five 7.7 mm machine guns, located at the front and rear. This allows it to not only attack ground targets, but also hunt for other bombers!
  

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Introducing the next major update trailer for War Thunder: Storm Warning!

Today, we’d like to show you some screenshots of this new location for Ground Battles!



Attica’s appearance is based on the bright landscapes of the south-east of Greece, the national color of which is emphasized by the ruins of the ancient acropolis, the highest point on the map. The breeze of the Aegean Sea under the roar of tanks fighting and exploding is waiting for you in the next major update, coming soon.

Attica in one of its formats, [Domination]. Map borders are not shown.

Keep an eye on the news for more dev blogs coming your way!