War Thunder News

[h3][/h3][p][/p][p]Hey everyone! We’re inviting you to celebrate the launch of Active Matter with us on Twitch.[/p][p][/p][p]Watch Active Matter streams to receive rewards both in Active Matter and War Thunder![/p][p][/p][p]Watching streams from September 20th (15:30 GMT) until September 22nd (16:00 GMT), will get you:[/p][p][/p][h3]
In Active Matter:[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]
In War Thunder:[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p]*If you already have this vehicle, you can exchange the coupon for 100 War Bonds.[/p][p][/p][h2]FAQ[/h2][p][/p][p]Can I get something both in Active Matter and War Thunder?[/p][p]Yes! The longer you watch Active Matter streams, the more rewards you will receive. You can track your progress in your Twitch profile.[/p][p] [/p][p]What should I do to be able to receive the rewards?[/p][p]You should link your Gaijin and Twitch accounts:[/p]

• [p]Register or log into your Twitch account.[/p]
• [p]Log into your Gaijin account you use to play (or plan to use to play) Active Matter and War Thunder on this page, then press the “Link” button.[/p]
• [p]Press the “Allow” button![/p]

[p] [/p][p]What will happen to the rewards if I haven’t purchased Active Matter yet?[/p][p]These rewards are tied to your account — as soon as you buy any edition of Active Matter and launch the game, they will appear in your warehouse.[/p][p] [/p][p]Where can I find my rewards in Active Matter?[/p][p]They will be automatically placed in your warehouse.[/p][p] [/p][p]Which streams do I need to watch to get rewards?[/p][p]Any Active Matter streams. If you see a pop-up at the top of the chat saying “Watch to earn Drops!”, you will start receiving rewards for watching![/p][p] [/p][p]How will I know that I’ve received a reward?[/p][p]You’ll get a notification on the Twitch stream page. After that, you can find the item in the game.[/p][p] [/p][p]NOTE: You must click the “Claim” button in your Twitch inventory before the Twitch Drops campaign ends on September 22 (16:00 GMT).
[/p][p]For which platforms are the rewards available?[/p][p]Active Matter rewards can only be claimed on PC (the game is currently PC-only).[/p][p] [/p][p]War Thunder rewards can be claimed on PC, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.[/p][p] [/p][p]Console players must link their PlayStation Network/Xbox Live account with their Gaijin account.[/p]

• [p]Instructions for PlayStation® and PlayStation®5 users[/p]
• [p]Instructions for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S users[/p]

[p]
I’m a streamer and want to broadcast Active Matter. How do I enable Drops on my channel?[/p]

• [p]Link your Twitch account to your Gaijin account.[/p]
• [p]Enable Drops in the Twitch settings.[/p]
• [p]Play Active Matter, start your Twitch stream, and ensure the broadcast category is set to Active Matter in the Stream Manager.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Tusk Force doesn’t just bring new vehicles, it also brings some new effects and detailed cockpits! Today, we’ll be taking a detailed look at some these upcoming improvements.[/p][p][/p][h2]Detailed Cockpits[/h2][p]We’ve updated the cockpits of two planes and a helicopter. For these screenshots, we’ve turned off the pilot model in cockpit to give a clearer view. Take a look below! [/p][p][/p][p]Please note that the Mi-8 and Ka-29 detailed cockpits that were spoken about in the Community Update post still need some more work and won’t be ready in time for Tusk Force, these will come to the game in the future.[/p][p][/p][h3]Meteor F Mk.8 (all variants)[/h3][p]The Meteor Mk.8 cockpits have been given some extra details throughout.[/p][p][/p][p]Before[/p][p][/p][p]After[/p][p][/p][p]Before[/p][p] [/p][p]After[/p][p][/p][h3]RAH-66[/h3][p]The RAH-66 cockpit has been fully updated, now with full details. [/p][p]Before[/p][p][/p][p]After[/p][p][/p][p]Before[/p][p][/p][p]After[/p][p][/p][h3]Fokker G.IA[/h3][p]The Fokker G.IA cockpit has been completely updated, now with full details![/p][p][/p][p]Before[/p][p][/p][p]After[/p][p] [/p][p]Before[/p][p] [/p][p]After[/p][p] [/p][h2]New Fuel Dumping for Several Aircraft[/h2][p]In the previous major update, we introduced the fuel dumping mechanic to just the F-111. We’ve now gone ahead and added this mechanic to a variety of jet aircraft, some of which include the Su-27s, F-14, F-18, Typhoons, Rafale, Tornados, Harriers, and many more. Here’s some cool screenshots![/p][p][/p][p]If you’d like to try, you’ll need to keybind the following: Controls > Aircraft > Fuel dumping.[/p][p][/p][p]The Gripen has one nozzle that can be ignited[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The F-15 and Su-30SM have two nozzles[/p][p][/p][p]The Harriers have two nozzles, one on each wing[/p][p][/p][p]The Typhoons have the nozzle at the top of the vertical stabilizer[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Procedural Destruction Of Trees[/h2][p]Before, trees would fall down in their entirety when shot at. We’ve updated the destruction of trees so that they break apart, depending on where you shot them. For example, if you shot the top of a tree, the part above where you hit would be sheered off and the rest of the trunk would remain.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Shooting the lower, medium and top part of a tree[/p][p][/p][h2]Updated Tank Flame Effects[/h2][p]The fire effect when ammunition cooks off in ground vehicles such as the Leopard and Abrams and the general fire effect of ground vehicles after they are destroyed have been updated! Fire now sways and curls in a constant motion, making it look more realistic.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]New Flame Effects[/p][p] [/p][h2]Thicker Rocket & Missile Smoke Trails[/h2][p]Rocket and missile smoke trails have now been made thicker and more apparent with extra details, helping to see where they are while in flight! The flame effect of rocket and missile motors has been made more apparent too.[/p][p][/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]Updated missile smoke trails[/p][p] [/p][p]That’s it for today. Tusk Force is almost ready to release now, so stay tuned to the news for announcements![/p]

[p][/p][p]On September 19th, 1969, the Mi-24 took to the skies for the first time, later becoming one of the most popular helicopters in the world. It was the first Soviet attack helicopter and the first combat helicopter in the world with retractable landing gear, allowing it to reach higher speeds. Until 1986, it remained the record holder in this category among helicopters, when test pilot Gurgen Karapetyan reached a speed of 368.4 km/h![/p][p] [/p][h2]The Mi-24D is temporarily available with a 30% discount![/h2][p]This helicopter is available in the game with a 30% discount, at 5,992 Golden Eagles. It will only be available for purchase during this promotion.[/p][p] [/p][p]When: From September 19th (11:00 GMT) until September 22nd (11:00 GMT).[/p][p]Where: USSR > Helicopters > Premium vehicles.[/p][p] [/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][p]About this helicopter[/p]

• [p]The Mi-24D is a 1976 modification with an improved machine gun and redesigned crew cabin. Despite its considerable weight, it maintains an impressive speed. It can carry Falanga ATGMs with excellent armor penetration, 23 mm cannon pods, dozens of rockets and 250 or 500 kg bombs.[/p]

[p] [/p][p] [/p][h2]30% discount on the Mi-24P HFS 80 (Germany) and Mi-24P (Italy)![/h2][p]The German Mi-24P HFS 80 (rank VI) and Hungarian (in the Italian tree) Mi-24P (rank VI) helicopters have a 30% discount as well, at 6,111 Golden Eagles each.[/p][p] [/p][p]When: From September 19th (11:00 GMT) until September 22nd (11:00 GMT).[/p][p]Where: Germany / Italy > Helicopters > Premium vehicles.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p] [/p][p]About the Mi-24P[/p]

• [p]The Mi-24P modification aimed to enhance the helicopter’s cannons. In 1975, a twin-barrel 30 mm GSh-30-2k cannon was installed on the Mi-24 so that it could be more effective at combating armored vehicles. In 1981 the Mi-24 entered serial production, and was delivered to allies shortly after, including the GDR and Hungary. The Mi-24P continues to serve Hungary to this day. In addition to the powerful cannon, this variant has access to R-60 air-to-air missiles and Shturm anti-tank missiles.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]The F-16I Sufa is a specialized Israeli variant of the American F-16 Fighting Falcon, developed in the early 2000s amidst growing military modernization in the Middle East.[/p][p][/p][p] [/p][h3]Vehicle History[/h3][p]By the mid 1990s, Israel sought to replace aging aircraft like the F-4 Phantom II and A-4 Skyhawk, while also complementing its fleet of F-15s and earlier F-16s, as neighboring states were acquiring more advanced Russian aircraft and air defense systems. In 1999, Israel signed a deal with the United States under the Peace Marble V program, leading to the procurement of 102 two-seat F-16Is, making it the largest single fighter purchase in Israeli history.[/p][p]The Sufa (“Storm”) was heavily modified to meet Israel’s unique operational needs, featuring conformal fuel tanks for extended range, Israeli-made avionics, electronic warfare suites, helmet-mounted sights, and compatibility with domestic weapons. Its two-seat configuration also allowed for improved mission management, especially for deep strike and suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) roles.[/p][p]Entering service in 2004, the F-16I quickly became the backbone of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), participating in operations such as 2006’s Lebanon War and later strikes in Syria, demonstrating the effectiveness of the upgrades the platform received. To date, the F-16I remains one of the most modern fighters employed by the Israeli air force.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Introducing the F-16I Sufa![/h3][p][/p][p]In the Tusk Force major update, the Israel aviation tree will gain access to one of the most advanced fighters currently employed by the IAF, namely the F-16I Sufa. Although based on the American F-16 Block 52, the Sufa represents an extensive upgrade program to the F-16 platform including many domestic Israeli systems. Let’s take a further look at this fighter![/p][p][/p][p]Visually, the Sufa might closely resemble the Barak II which seasoned Israel air players will have already acquainted themselves with. While this may likely be attributed to the twin-seat cockpit layout, the F-16I speaks an entirely different story when throwing a glimpse “under the hood”. Equipped with the new Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan engine the F-16I keeps the dynamic characteristics of its predecessor, despite the slight increase in mass. However, it will obviously lack in dynamics when using new Conformal Fuel Tanks.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Speaking of increased payloads, the Sufa retains the large selection of suspended weapons while also getting new ones, meaning that it will have access to the advanced IR (AIM-9L and AIM-9M) and ARH missiles (AIM-120C-5) as well as a large selection of precision guided and unguided bombs. Among the strike weapons, it is worth noting the line of SPICE bombs with a TV guidance, ranging from 250 (new to the game) to 2000 kg. As such, the F-16I can conduct strike missions in combined battles with even greater accuracy while avoiding straying too close to hostile air defences. Another worthy addition is the PAWS-2 MAWS, capable of keeping the pilot aware of incoming missiles.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]The F-16I Sufa will soon be making its way to the top rank of the Israeli aviation tree in the Tusk Force major update. In the meantime however, make sure to stay tuned to the news for the latest information regarding the upcoming update. That’s all for today, pilots. Until the next one, we wish you clear skies and good hunting![/p][p][/p][p]Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.[/p]

[p][/p][p]On September 18th, 1947, the National Security Act was signed into law, separating the U.S. Air Force from the Army and giving it the status of an independent branch from the armed forces. On this day, official ceremonies are held at the Pentagon and air bases, demonstration flights with modern and historical aircraft fly over, and open days are held at Air Force museums.[/p][p] [/p][h2]Bostwick’s P-47M-1-RE and Wetmore’s P-51D-10 are temporarily available for Golden Eagles![/h2]

• [p]George Bostwick’s P-47M-1-RE is available for 6090 Golden Eagles[/p]
• [p]Raymond Wetmore’s P-51D-10 is available for 4880 Golden Eagles[/p]

[p][/p][p]When: From September 18th (11:00 GMT) until September 22nd (11:00 GMT).[/p][p]Where: USA > Aviation > Premium vehicles[/p][p][/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][h3]About these aircraft[/h3]

• [p]George Bostwick fought in Western Europe, shooting down at least eight aircraft and destroying six ground targets. His P-47M-1-RE is the most advanced modification of the P-47. The improved engine allows the aircraft to retain energy well and not fall apart at high speeds. This fighter features great speed and maneuverability at high altitudes and is armed with eight Browning machine guns.[/p]
• [p]Ray Wetmore also fought in the European theater, shooting down 21 German aircraft, becoming one of the most successful American aces. His P-51D-10 is capable of ground attack and interception roles, with the aircraft able to take up to 1,500 kg of ordinance. The six 12.7 mm machine guns also have a high ammo count exceeding 2,000 rounds![/p]

[p] [/p][p] [/p][h2]50% Discount on the "US Air Force Birthday" Bundle[/h2][p][/p][p]Until September 22nd (11:00 GMT) a bundle including Ray Wetmore`s P-51D-10, George Bostwick's P-47M-1-RE Thunderbolt and a P-38K![/p][p][/p][p] To get to the Gaijin Store through Steam, go to the in-game hangar > Shop > Online Store.[/p][h3]
"US Air Force Birthday" Bundle -50%[/h3][p]84.97 42.49[/p][p]This bundle includes:[/p]

• [p]Ray Wetmore`s P-51D-10 Pack[/p]
• [p]George Bostwick's P-47M-1-RE Thunderbolt Pack[/p]
• [p]P-38K Pack[/p]

[p] [/p][h2]Get the “USAF Day 2025” decal![/h2][p] [/p][p]When: From September 18th (11:00 GMT) until September 22nd (11:00 GMT).[/p][p]Task: Earn 3,000 mission points with US aircraft at rank III or higher to receive the “USAF Day 2025” decal.[/p][p]Please note: After finishing the task, you need to collect the reward manually.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p] “USAF Day 2025” decal[/p][p][/p][p]Additional details:[/p]

• [p]You can complete the task in random battles, except for \[Assault] mode.[/p]
• [p]Track your progress in the hangar by clicking Nickname → Achievements → Holidays → US Air Force Birthday.[/p]
• [p]You can find the decal in the “Holidays” tab in the customization menu.[/p]