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Hawk 200: Wings of Prey!

[h3][/h3][p][/p][p]Today we’ll be taking a look at a long awaited British strike aircraft, joining the game in the next major update. Meet the Hawk 200![/p][p][/p]
[p]Hawk 200: A Strike Aircraft for Great Britain at Rank VII[/p]
[p]At a glance:[/p]
  • [p]Sea Eagle Missiles![/p]
  • [p]AGM-65 Mavericks for CAS[/p]
  • [p]Maneuverable lightweight multirole aircraft[/p]
  • [p]RWR and countermeasures![/p]
  • [p]Wide range of ordinance options[/p]
[p] [/p][h3]Vehicle History[/h3][p]The BAE Hawk was the end result of a requirement to replace the Gnat jet trainer with a suitable training platform, as the Jaguar was too complex for student pilots. With the first flight taking place in 1974, the Hawk quickly proved itself a reliable platform. Entering RAF service just two years later in 1976 as the Hawk T.1. It wasn’t long before the export potential of the Hawk, not just as a trainer, but as a multirole fighter became clear. Further developments of the series resulted in many specific variants for different nations including India, Canada, Finland, Switzerland and even the USA. Over 18 nations have operated the Hawk and over 1000+ of all variants combined have been built. [/p][p]
First taking to the skies in 1986, the Hawk 200 series focused on providing a lightweight multirole strike fighter to the export markets. Unlike the training variants, this version was a single seat aircraft with a much larger nose area. This reworked nose could optionally accommodate an AN/APG-66H radar or “Night Attack” configuration on other 200 series variants as desired by potential customers. As well as the British demonstration and development aircraft, the Hawk 200 has been operated by Indonesia, Malaysia and Oman.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Introducing the Hawk 200![/h2][p]Today we welcome a much anticipated aircraft to the ranks of the British tree! The Hawk 200 series jet will be joining the game in the Spearhead major update. This multirole strike aircraft will provide a reliable and deadly strike aircraft, while also having the dual use of a light fighter design. Let’s take a closer look at what this bird of prey offers![/p][p] [/p][p]The Hawk 200 is the modernised single seat variant of the family. Primarily intended for export to nations needing a lightweight multirole aircraft, this variant includes a pair of internal 25 mm ADEN cannons that are also mounted in the nose which can be supplemented by a 30 mm ADEN gunpod underslung in the centerline rack. Internally you will also find a non-afterburning Rolls-Royce Adour engine, from the same family as those found on the Jaguar, just without the re-heat. The aircraft features a decent HUD in the cockpit, making life easier for any pilot taking to the skies. Subsonic, but highly agile and maneuverable, the Hawk can be a dangerous little aircraft in the right hands![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]In terms of air-to-air, as well as your internal cannon and pod options, you also have four AIM-9L Sidewinders to bring to bear in the fighter configuration! The aircraft also features an RWR suite and countermeasures in a single pod behind the tail. Only a small number however, so take care with how you use them![/p][p] [/p][p]Did you know? The Hawk in its T.1A variant has been operated by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows display team for 46 years! You may have seen them at many international airshows.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Ground attack is where the Hawk 200 really shines. As a support aircraft, the Hawk can carry a wide range of dumb and high drag bombs in 250, 500 and 1000 lb varieties, as well as rocket pod options. However the Hawk also features a quartet of AGM-65 Mavericks for anti-tank work, making this a very reliable CAS platform in ground battles too![/p][p] [/p][p]The Hawk 200 will be the first jet to introduce the new Sea Eagle missile to the game! Sea Eagle replaced the AJ 168 Martel missile, which you may already be familiar with in game on the Buccaneer S.2B. The Hawk 200 can carry three of these missiles, primarily for anti-ship functionality like the ASM-1 / 2 already in the game. [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]That’s all for now, though we should note, other variants of the Hawk jet series may appear in the future! The Hawk 200 joins the British tree as an agile little menace to both ground and air targets in the Spearhead major update. Stay tuned for what else to look forward to soon![/p][p] [/p][p]Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.[/p]

"Spearhead" Update Trailer!

[p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Introducing the next major update trailer for War Thunder: Spearhead![/p][p]
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38 New Camouflages Now Available in the ‘WTCS Trophy III’!

[p][/p][p]The WTCS Trophy III is here, packed with stunning camouflages from WT Live! This edition brings 38 new camos in total: 19 aircraft, 18 ground vehicles, and 1 helicopter. A fresh mix of styles and Battle Ratings to make your lineup truly stand out![/p][p] [/p][hr][/hr][p]
[/p][h2]Aircraft Camouflages[/h2][p] [/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p]
  • [p]F/A-18C (Swiss) - “Tiger”[/p]
  • [p]MiG-29 (Hungary) - “Lancer”[/p]
  • [p]Su-39 - “Ink Drops”[/p]
  • [p]MiG-29G - “Boron”[/p]
  • [p]Netz (Mod) - “Nitrogen”[/p]
  • [p]Mirage 4000 - “Lafayette Legacy”[/p]
  • [p]F-111F - “Chip Stackers”[/p]
  • [p]CF-188A - “Acadian”[/p]
  • [p]F-2A ADTW - “Fuyu No Yoru”[/p]
  • [p]F-2A - “Akaoni”[/p]
  • [p]F-20A - “Desert Raider”[/p]
  • [p]MiG-21bis (Finland) - “Lapland”[/p]
  • [p]F-5C - “Overcast Vector”[/p]
  • [p]MiG-29 Sniper - “Cold Storage”[/p]
  • [p]MiG-23ML - “Blast From The Past”[/p]
  • [p]Su-30SM - “Waverider”[/p]
  • [p]F-16A OCU (Belgium) - “WTCS Camouflage”[/p]
  • [p]Bf 109 K-4 - “WTCS Camouflage”[/p]
  • [p]F-14A - “Stream By Hercules Camouflage” [/p]
[carousel][/carousel][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Ground Vehicles[/h2][p][/p][carousel][/carousel]
  • [p]T-80B - “Mariner”[/p]
  • [p]Turm III - “Schwarzwald”[/p]
  • [p]Vextra 105 - “Le Téméraire”[/p]
  • [p]BMD-4M - “Snow Whisper”[/p]
  • [p]M1A2 SEP V2 - “Razorback”[/p]
  • [p]M3A3 Bradley - “Sentinel”[/p]
  • [p]CV 90120 - “Sleipnir”[/p]
  • [p]Type 99 - “Midori No Mori”[/p]
  • [p]RDF/LT - “Gunslinger”[/p]
  • [p]Leopard 2K - “Close Quarters”[/p]
  • [p]T-34-85 (D-5T) - “Eternal Glory”[/p]
  • [p]AMX-40 - “Mosaique Urbaine”[/p]
  • [p]Strela-10M2 - “Static Line”[/p]
  • [p]Conqueror - “Norman”[/p]
  • [p]Gepard 1A2 - “Der Freischütz”[/p]
  • [p]Type 74 Red Star - “Red Team”[/p]
  • [p]M1 KVT - “Pacific Prowler”[/p]
  • [p]Leclerc S2 - “WTCS Camouflage”[/p]
[p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h2]Helicopter Camouflages[/h2][p]
[/p]
  • [p]AH-1Z - “Zulu Warrior”
    [/p]
[hr][/hr][p]
Like the previous Esports Trophy, the new trophy can be obtained by simply playing regular War Thunder battles. In the future, it will also be possible to obtain by participating in Esports events in War Thunder tournaments with an increased chance! PlayStation and Xbox players can purchase the trophy in the Item Shop for Golden Eagles.[/p][p][/p][p]Read more on our Wiki[/p][p][/p][p]To open it, you’ll need to purchase a key on the Market (income is shared with the authors of the camouflages.) You can either activate the coupon on your account, or trade it on the Market to get Gaijin Coins (GJN). A trophy can also be sold![/p][p][/p][p]Read more about the Market and Gaijin Coins on our Wiki[/p]

Visual Improvements to Stalingrad!

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Today we’ll be taking a look at the visually updated Stalingrad, coming in the next major update![/p][p][/p][p]Stalingrad, the site of dramatic events around the Stalingrad Tractor Factory during the liberation of the city on the Volga during the Second World War, is a veteran location that came to the game nearly 10 years ago. Ever since, it has become a classic battleground for Ground Battles in War Thunder! However, time moves on and we’ve strived to give this location a fresh look while preserving all of the familiar gameplay features that make Stalingrad so beloved. So bundle up, as we’re heading into the brutal Russian winter![/p][p][/p][p]Before[/p][p][/p][p]After[/p][p] [/p][p]Before [/p][p][/p][p]After [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]To give Stalingrad an updated look, we focused on reworking every element of the map’s environment from scratch — from the remains of metal structures and lampposts, to the factory buildings and railway platforms. Buildings, roofs, train cars, coal piles and numerous ruins now have a completely new level of detail, and all major objects in the wintery Stalingrad now feature snowdrifts and icicles.[/p][p][/p][p]Try not to slip over! The location has been updated with track markings in the mud on the well-worn roads, frozen puddles glimmer with ice here and there, and glimpses of last year’s grass peek out from under the snow.[/p][p][/p][p]Before[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]After [/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]Before [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]After [/p][p][/p][p]We’ve also updated the aircraft areas of this location! The winter forest now looks more authentic, the frozen river has a realistic ice crust with different ice colors for different depths, and snowdrifts have been added too.[/p][p][/p][p]Before[/p][p][/p][p]After[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]We’re aware of the importance of preserving recognizable routes and familiar cover, so we’ve aimed to preserve all game geometry as much as possible, meaning you’ll feel right at home in regards to combat when playing on the updated Stalingrad.[/p][p][/p][p]Before [/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]After [/p][p][/p][p]That’s it for this one! Everyone will be able to try the newly updated Stalingrad location very soon. Until then, have a good one![/p]

The J35A is Temporarily Available & Discounted to Celebrate the 70th Anniversary

[p][/p][p]The Saab 35 Draken made its maiden flight 70 years ago, on October 25th, 1955. It was Sweden’s first supersonic fighter and is known for its unique double-swept wing. Its various modifications remained in service for over 40 years![/p][p] [/p][h3]The J35A Draken is temporarily available for purchase and has a 30% discount for 6,363 Golden Eagles![/h3][p][/p][p]When: From October 23rd (11:00 GMT) until October 27th (11:00 GMT).[/p][p]Where: Sweden > Aviation > Premium vehicles.[/p][p] [/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][p]About this aircraft[/p]
  • [p]Although the J35A Draken was designed as an interceptor, it has excellent flight characteristics, making it also a very capable fighter. The J35A accelerates and climbs quickly, reaching incredible speeds while maintaining excellent control. Because it’s an early version of the aircraft, it lacks countermeasures, so pilots must be prepared to counter enemy missiles the old fashioned way: on their own.[/p]