War Thunder News

A fast-firing Premium heavy cruiser, the USS Des Moines is available for pre-order as a special pack with Golden Eagles, Premium days and unique customization options!

USS CA-134 Des Moines is a heavy cruiser, developed in the USA in the mid 1940s. At that time, the Des Moines type embodied all the world experience gained during the war years. Its armament, armoring, air defense and electronic weaponry were far superior to all ships within its class. The key element of the project was the new rapid-fire main battery guns with automated reload - the fire performance of the Des Moines-class cruisers significantly exceeded all previous analogues. The maximum speed of the ship is 33 knots (61 km/h). It is armed with nine 203 mm guns in three triple mounts, twelve 127 mm guns in six twin mounts, twelve twin 76 mm automatic gun mounts and twelve twin 20 mm Oerlikon AA guns. In addition, the cruiser is equipped with aft smoke equipment for setting smoke screens.

USS CA-134 Des Moines will be added to the game in the upcoming major update of War Thunder. All pre-order customers will also get special customization options: “The last all-gun" title, unique profile icon, as well as Des Moines insignia decal.

[h2]Pre-order: USS CA-134 Des Moines 1948 Pack[/h2]

• USS CA-134 Des Moines 1948 (Rank IV, USA)
  
• 2,000 Golden Eagles
  
• 30 days Premium
  
• Pre-order bonus: “The last all-gun" title
  
• Pre-order bonus: Des Moines insignia decal
  
• Pre-order bonus: US cruiser captain profile icon
  

[h2]The USS CA-134 Des Moines 1948 Pack can be pre-ordered from the Gaijin Store.[/h2]

On February 21st, 1917, SS Mendi sank in an accident in the English Channel. The vessel was transporting South African troops to participate in WWI; over 600 of them died.

In 2012 President Zuma chose February 21st as the day to honor the Armed Forces of South Africa; it is celebrated with drills and parades.

[h2]

From February 21st (10:00 GMT) until February 24th (7:00 GMT)

[/h2]

[h3]Play 3 battles using British vehicles (rank III or higher, with an activity of not less than 70%) to receive the “South African Armed Forces Day” decal. [/h3]



“South African Armed Forces Day” decal.

Complete the task in random battles, except for Enduring Confrontation missions and [Assault] mode. Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → South African Armed Forces Day.

You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the Customisation menu.

[h2]During the event a special bundle will be available for purchase in the shop to commemorate this day.[/h2]



South African Armed Forces Day bundle
Rooikat 105 Pack;
Rooivalk Pack.

[h2]This pack can be purchased from the Gaijin Store.[/h2]

[h2]Ground vehicles[/h2]

• Khalid — The AA machine gun elevation angle has been increased from 50deg to 90deg. Source: (Khalid 4030/2 MBT User Handbook December 1980) (rеport).
  
• Khalid — missing ammo depletion indicator on the AA machine gun has been restored.
  
• Somua SM — track width has been increased from 20mm to 30mm.
  
• Strela-10M2 — radar range has been increased from 5km to 10km (report).
  

[h2]Aircraft[/h2]

• AH-1 (all versions) — camera zoom position has been adjusted to make firing more convenient.
  
• F-8E — missing AN/APR-27 radar warning system has been added. Source: “NAVAIIR 01-45HHD-1 NATOPS Flight Manual - F-8D&E”.
  
• MiG-21 F-13 — ballistic calculator has been added for rockets. Source: “Самолёт МиГ-21Ф-13. Техническое описание, Книга II - Вооружение. 1963”.
  

[h2]Naval[/h2]

• A bug has been fixed where a fire was extinguished instantly without the “FFE” modification installed.
  
• Fairmile H LVS(L)(2) — ammo capacity of the 57mm gun has been increased from 170 rounds to 512 rounds, mortar ammo capacity increased from 50 to 110. Source:”C.B.04304: Details of Combined Operations Landing Craft and Barges” (report, report).
  

[h2]Graphics[/h2]

• A bug has been fixed that caused graphical artefacts on the MacOS version (report).
  

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.

A new British top-tier main battle tank comes equipped with a new power plant and improved mobility.

[h2]Challenger 2E, main battle tank, Britain, rank VII[/h2]
Features:

• Improved dynamics and top speed
  
• Thermal vision for the commander, gunner and driver views
  
• Good protection at the turret front
  

The Challenger 2E is a new member of Britain's top tier tank family that will become available for research with the release of the next War Thunder update. The tank solves the main problem of its series - unsatisfactory mobility. The new power pack not only increases the maximum speed to 72 km/h, but also significantly increases the tank's throttle response, improving the turn dynamics and making it much easier to climb hills. That’s the way!



The pros of the series fit the new dynamics perfectly: a good stabilised gun with punchy L27A1 armour-piercing fin-stabilised rounds and a comfortable fire control system with a laser rangefinder and thermal imagers for the commander, gunner and driver. Composite armour allows survival from multiple hits and is especially good at the turret’s front.



The new British top rank tank, new locations, vehicles, new game features and improvements are waiting for you in the first major update of 2023 in War Thunder. Coming soon!

We hope all of you had a very wonderful Valentine's Day with your dearest beloved! Your screenshots of French, Italian and Japanese vehicles were excellent. Hopefully everyone enjoyed spending some time with these nations' vehicles! The three most popular and three selected by us will get 300 GE. See the winners down below!

[h2]Let’s begin the 55th edition of our competition![/h2]

Create a stunning screenshot and submit it on the War Thunder Steam Community Hub with the tag #WTscreen55. You have time until 24.02.2023 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.

[h2]Important addition: Screenshot theme - Clear Skies![/h2]

[h3]Terms:[/h3]

This week, we are looking for clear skies! The rest is up to your artistic creativity!
At least one player vehicle must be included in the screenshot.
You must add the #WTscreen55 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 54th edition - Loving the Unloved![/h2]

[h3]Winners selected via community votes:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2932130544
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2931970713
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2933208124

[h3]Winners selected by our judges:[/h3]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2932044114
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2932774778
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2932079222

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