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Historical Skins – T-90 from the Tamanskaya Division

Commanders!

Today, we’d like to tell you more about a historical skin that will be available for the T-90 Main Battle Tank – the Tamanskaya Division.

As its name suggests, this skin will change the appearance of your T-90 MBT to that of the famous 2nd Guards Motor Rifle "Tamanskaya" Division "Mikhail I. Kalinin", one of the most famous Soviet, and later Russian, armored units.



The Tamanskaya division was founded in 1940 as the 127th Rifle Division and was renamed to 2nd Guards Rifle Division in 1941 in honor of its combat exploits during the initial stages of Operation Barbarossa, during which it was severely depleted. The unit fought for the rest of the war, liberating Crimea from Nazi occupation in 1944, the Baltic States a few months later and ending the war near Kaliningrad. Apart from the Guards title (reserved for elite Soviet units), it received the honorary name “M.I. Kalinin” in 1946 (a prominent Bolshevik revolutionary, a Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union during the war and the person Kaliningrad was also named after).



The unit would exist in one form or another for the entire duration of the Soviet Union, but only became truly famous during the events connected to its dissolution. In 1991, it was involved in a hardline Soviet coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachov, during which it switched sides and was instrumental in defeating the coup.



Two years later, in 1993, it was once again involved in the Russian Constitutional Crisis and it was one of its tanks that fired at the White House in Moscow (the seat of the Russian parliament) in support of Boris Yeltsin, marking the end of the Soviet government system in Russia once and for all. Some elements of the division were also deployed in Chechnya during the Second Chechen War in 2000, but mostly only as a security force.



In 2006-2007, a portion of the unit (Tamanskaya Division's 1st Guards Motor Rifle Regiment) was re-armed with T-90 Main Battle Tanks. The division was split in 2009 into two motor rifle brigades only to be reformed five years later as a part of the effort of Vladimir Putin to bring back old and famous Soviet units to life in order to maintain the sense of historical continuity.




When it comes to tanks, the new Tamanskaya Division is armed with T-72B3 and T-90 Main Battle Tanks, the latter being represented by the abovementioned skin, which is based by the division vehicle’s appearance from 2015 or so.

The T-90 Tamanskaya Division skin will be available for free during an upcoming event. Stay tuned for more info and, as always:

See you on the battlefield!

In Development: AS21 Redback

Commanders!

Today, we would like to show you another one of the three additional progression vehicles that will be introduced after the launch of the Spirithaven season – the AS21 Redback.



The AS21 Redback is a South-Korean modern export IFV prototype, designed specifically for Australia’s LAND 400 Phase 3 program to replace the aging M113AS4 APCs in Australian service by 450 modern, well-protected IFVs.

Australia has sought to replace its older vehicles with something more modern. When the contest was announced back in April 2018, the South-Korean Hanwha Defense company, responsible also for the K21 IFV, saw the opportunity to show the world what it was truly capable of and applied with an IFV proposal named AS21 Redback. The designation does have a meaning: AS stands for Australia and the name Redback refers to the venomous Australian Redback spider that is one of the few spiders that can actually kill a human with the neurotoxins they produce (the fact that it also considers houses great places to settle in does not help either, but I suppose that’s Australia for you).

The truly interesting part of the designation, however, is the number 21 – it seems that the marketing department of Hanwha tried here to refer to the excellent reputation of the K21 IFV. Plenty of sources also mention that the vehicle is closely based on the K21, but it’s not really true – the Redback is likely only very loosely based on the abovementioned vehicle (possibly using some of its components) and is more or less an offshoot of the K31 program, which is in fact the program to develop K21’s future replacement. Unlike the other LAND 400 Phase 3 program competitors, it was designed specifically for Australia, giving it quite an advantage.

The vehicle was first mentioned during the 2018 Ground Forces exhibition (pointing to a rather rapid development process) while the first prototype was unveiled in October 2019, but we’ll get to that. Let us first take a look at the vehicle’s characteristics.



The Redback IFV weighs 42 tons (of which 6 tons go to the turret), has a crew of three men (commander, gunner and driver) and can carry 8 troops in the back. As for its protection level, it is likely quite good as the sheer weight of the vehicle suggests. The basic hull protection level without any additional armor is STANAG 4569 Level 2 (protection versus 7.62mm AP bullets) and is made of steel (unlike K21’s aluminum armor). However, images of several variants were shown, which include:
  • Hard-kill APS (seems to be a version of the Israeli Iron Fist system)
  • Modular armor plating
  • Integrated sensor kit with 360 degrees coverage, paired with Elbit’s IronVision system (the operator has a helmet that allows him to see everything outside thanks to a large number of external cameras as if he was not sitting in a tank at all)
  • Laser Warning System
  • Integrated 76mm smoke grenade launcher with 4 barrels on each side of the turret

In other words, everything points out to this vehicle being tough as nails, just the way the Australians like it. We’re likely looking at something along the lines of STANAG 4569 Level 6 with the additional armor installed, which would make it impervious to most Chinese and Soviet 30mm autocannons, at least frontally.

Nor much is known about its mobility, save for its maximum speed of 65-70 km/h (35-40 km/h off-road) thanks to its MTU 881 Ka-500 diesel engine. The engine is mounted in the front of the vehicle. The suspension is similar to that of the K21 IFV and the operational range is around 520 km.



The T2000 manned turret of this vehicle carries two primary weapon systems – an integrated Spike-LR2 launcher (which can elevate, release its deadly payload and depress back into the turret) and a 30mm cannon called Bushmaster Mk.44S that can use various types of ammunition (even programmable). It’s worth noting that Hanwha states the weapon system can be upgraded to a 40mm cannon or Bushmaster Mk.3 35/50mm cannon. The Bushmaster Mk.44S autocannon has the following characteristics:
  • Rate of Fire: 100 to 200 rounds per minute
  • Depression and Elevation angles: -10 to +60 degrees
  • Ammo carried: 200 rounds
  • Feed system: double feed (one belt with APFSDS-T shells, the other with HE shells, can be switched instantly)

The commander has a set of panoramic sights at his disposal that can be installed independently or as a part of the EOS R400S Mk.2HD weapon system. Additionally, Hanwha is offering its excellent Battlefield Management System as a part of the deal.

As you can see, Hanwha decided to closely cooperate with the Americans (the EOS company) and the Israelis (Elbit’s IronVision and Iron Fist systems) to maximize its chances.

As was mentioned above, the first prototype was unveiled to public in the October of 2019, but one month earlier, in September 2019, the LAND 400 Phase 3 contest was narrowed down to two competitors – the Redback and Rheinmetall’s KF41 Lynx. There were two other contenders, but both were disqualified – the AJAX platform by General Dynamics Land Systems (because it was considered unsuitable for the use by the Australian military) and the CV90 by BAE Systems (because it was too expensive).



The “unsuitability” argument concerns two major Australian requirements – the transportability by a Canberra-class LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock) the Australian Navy operates and the transportability by a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Both are extremely important to Australia because the vehicles have to be possible to deploy around Australia’s outer defense perimeter that consists of smaller islands.

One more potential contender was also discussed – it was the German PSM company with its Puma IFV, but PSM decided not to participate.

As the next step, the Australian Ministry of Defense signed (or will sign) a contract with both companies to produce three prototypes each for extended testing until the autumn of 2020. This phase is called Risk Mitigation Activity and is likely to last until late 2021, at which point the winner of the massive 10 billion USD contract will be declared. In this clash, Rheinmetall has a bit of an advantage – the wheeled Boxer IFV by the same company was already chosen as the winner of the Phase 2 contract (for an armored recon vehicle).

But one thing is for sure – Hanwha won’t give up without the fight. Both companies have already pledged to include technology transfer and offsets in their contracts – if Rheinmetall wins, the Lynx is planned to be produced in Ipswitch, while the Redback production is planned to take place in Geelong, south of Melbourne. The winner will likely achieve the IOC status (vehicles deployable in their very basic form) by 2024-2025 and the FOC status (full operational capability) in the early 2030s.

Interestingly enough, the outcome of this program may influence another major contract for the Australian Army called LAND 8116 for 30 new 155mm Self-Propelled Guns, in which Hanwha’s K9 Thunder is competing against Rheinmetall/KMW’s Panzerhaubitze 2000.

In Armored Warfare, the AS21 Redback will be a Tier 9 progression Armored Fighting Vehicle that will be unlockable from the Harimau Tier 8 Light Tank and will be one of the two vehicles on Tier 9, the other being the K-153C.



Gameplay-wise, it will, however, be a complete opposite to it – where the K-153C will be a light, nimble four-wheeled AFV, the AS21 Redback will be a rather heavy tracked IFV with emphasis on protection.

Indeed, when it comes to the AFV class, its armor will only be second to the T-15 Armata heavy IFV. In addition to that, the vehicle will have the Iron Fist APS available.

The mobility will, on the other hand, be only average. The Redback will be powered by a 1000hp MTU diesel engine, yes, but will, at the same time, weigh 42 tons, which means that agility and acceleration will not be its strong suit. It will not be a total slouch either, but maximum speed (64 km/h) or acceleration (0 to 32 km/h in 3.76s) will not be what this vehicle will be all about.

What it will be about, though, is – apart from protection – also its firepower. It will feature two weapon systems:
  • 30mm Mk.44 Bushmaster chain gun
  • Javelin ATGMs

The Javelins you are, of course, already familiar with – these top-down missiles will ruin the day of anyone who gets in Redback’s sights. The Redback will feature two of those missiles, which will be possible to launch in relatively rapid succession (3 seconds between shots, followed by a longer reload period).



The autocannon, though, will feature several popular elements you know from other vehicles:
  • Chain feed (1000-round magazine that does not need to be reloaded)
  • Solid and easy to control rate of fire (400 rounds per minute)
  • Excellent gun depression and elevation (-8/+60 degrees)
  • PELE rounds (you know you love them!)

And, last but not least, the AI Target Assistant feature that is already available on the Type 16 MCV Tier 7 Tank Destroyer. This ability will work both in automatic and manual aiming modes.

In the automatic mode, normally, marking targets with right click will automatically aim your gun at the center of the target and keeps it locked there. In addition to that, the Redback autoaim will also “lead” the target – if the target is, for example, moving from right to left from the Redback gunner’s point of view, the gun will aim ahead of the target so that when the trigger is pressed, the shell will fly towards where the target is going to be at the time it will cross its trajectory. In the manual mode where you control the gun, you will see a marker indicating where to aim to hit the target moving on its current trajectory.



The AS21 Redback will also be able to carry Mechanized Infantry. The downside to this vehicle (apart from the abovementioned average mobility) will be its poor stealth – even though it will feature a module reducing the effectiveness of enemy thermal imagers, such a large vehicle is simply too conspicuous to hide easily.

In summation, what we will have here will be more akin to the Leclerc T40 than a scout AFV. With its good armor, firepower and advanced electronics allowing it to spot its targets on time, it’ll be quite a destructive vehicle and a good option for the players who prefer to protect themselves and deal some damage rather than play hide and seek with their opponents.

We hope you will enjoy it and, as always:

See you on the battlefield!

DCOT PvE Winter League

Commanders!

It's time to challenge other teams in this exciting PvE Winter league organized by DCOT! Take part in a showdown and win amazing prizes!



Where does the event take place?
  • Server: EU
  • Language: German/English (My.com clients only)
  • Date: 29.2.2020 to 21.3.2020 (for more info, please visit the detailed rules)
  • Time: from 19:00 to 23:59 CET
  • Mode: PvE Hardcore
  • Format: 5 Player-Platoons (3 substitutes) compete with each other in the group phase, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals – the winner is determined by having gathered the most Experience per match. For more info, please visit the detailed rules
  • Tier: 7 for the group phase, 10 for the finals
How to sign up?
The registration is open until 26.2.2020, 21:00 CET.

Prizes

The best five teams will obtain the following prizes:
  • First place: Choice between Armata 152, Type 99A2-140, AFT-10 or Object 640 for each member of the team
  • Second place: Choice between Abrams AGDS, Centauro 120 Wolf, BM Oplot, Leclerc T40 or VT-5 for each member of the team
  • Third place: Choice between WWO Wilk, Terminator Sapphire, M1134, AMX 10 RCR, Marder 2, Rosomak M1 Wataha, Vickers Mk.7, Leopard Revolution, Type 96B or Ascod LT for each member of the team
  • Fourth place: Choice between PTL-02, Wiesel HOT Wolf, M60-2000, Merkava Mk.2D, Challenger 1 Wolf or Stingray 2 Black Eagle for each member of the team
  • Fifth place: Choice between KPz-70, MBT-70, WZ-1224, Leopard 2AV Predator, MT-LB S8, BMD-2 Wolf, VFM Mk.5 Merc or RDF/LT Neon for each member of the team

All participants will also receive 7 days of Premium Time and those teams who do not reach the finals will receive a free T-72 Victory Tier 5 MBT.

Rules and Organizer

The host of this Event is the DCOT (Deutsche Community Organisations-Team). You can find the list of rules following this link. We'll see you on the battlefield!

Offer: Altay

Commanders!

This weekend, we have one more very special offer for you. Between February 14 and February 17, 2020, the top prize of the Warlords of the Wasteland Battle Path will be available in our Web Shop: the Altay Tier 10 Premium MBT.



The Altay is the result of a Turkish program to build a true indigenous MBT. After a decade of development with hundreds of millions of dollars spent, Turkey finally achieved its goal and built a tank that is roughly on par in performance with decades-old Leopard 2 variants while it still uses many foreign components, including some of its most critical systems. Nevertheless, future Altay variants are expected to feature some cutting edge components.

In Armored Warfare, the Altay is a Tier 10 Premium Main Battle Tank based on the current prototypes, but also upgraded by various hypothetical aftermarket components of the future to surpass its current capabilities and to match its assigned Tier in power. The basic tank is – gameplay-wise – a mobile sniper, much like the Leopard 2 series, relying on its mobility and the penetration of its shells rather than on its armor. There are two key features to this tank: Adjustable Suspension (tilting forward and to the side) and Hybrid Engine with its distinctive electric sound, giving the vehicle excellent mobility and agility.

The Altay MBT is available in our Web Shop via Loot Crates. Collect 100 blueprint pieces from these crates to obtain the vehicle.



We hope that you will enjoy the offer.

See you on the battlefield!

Offer: Main Battle Tanks


Commanders!

This week, we have another special offer for you. This time with the most popular vehicle class in the game – Main Battle Tanks!



Main Battle Tanks are the ultimate evolution of the tank concept that started during the Great War and fully evolved during the Second World War. They are powerful, lumbering beasts that are capable of deciding a battle on their own. Even though the age of massive armored clashes is over, the Main Battle Tanks still have a role on the modern battlefield. You can read more about this class of vehicles in our dedicated article.

Today, you can choose from the following vehicles:
  • T-72M2 Wilk Tier 6 Premium MBT (available alone or in a Total Destruction bundle)
  • Leopard 2 Revolution Tier 8 Premium MBT (available in a Total Destruction bundle with Commander Alexander Cortez)
  • Altay Tier 10 Premium MBT (available on Friday via Loot Crates)

The Total Destruction bundles contain not only the vehicle itself, but also a suitable Commander and other goodies intended to upgrade him or her as fast as possible.

Between February 13 and February 20, 2020, the following items will be available (along with 50% bonus to Crew XP income):


[h2]T-72M2 Wilk[/h2]


The T-72M2 Wilk (Polish for “Wolf”) is one of the results of the Polish attempts from the late 1980s to upgrade its aging fleet of T-72M1 tanks in order to provide an effective counterpart to the western Leopard 2 and Abrams MBTs. The Polish development program resulted in several prototypes built between 1987 and 1990, featuring a more powerful engine, better Fire Control System and a Polish ERAWA explosive reactive armor kit. The Wilk program was concluded in 1990 but the lessons learned from it were used in the construction of the Polish PT-91 Main Battle Tank. You can learn more about its history in our dedicated article!



In Armored Warfare, the T-72M2 Wilk is a Tier 6 Main Battle Tank. It’s based on the T-72M1, which is an export version of the T-72A. That, along with improved mobility and the ERAWA ERA kit, puts it one tier above its predecessor. Performance-wise, it’s comparable to the T-72B Main Battle Tank with its experimental Polish DRAWA FCS and the improved autoloader increasing its performance.

The T-72M2 Wilk Total Destruction bundle contains the following items:
  • T-72M2 Wilk Tier 6 Premium MBT
  • Commander Jorge Alvarez
  • 30 days of Premium Time
  • 5 Platinum Loot Crates
  • 2 Russian historical camouflages
  • 50 Platinum Commander XP Insignia tokens
  • 1.500 Gold






[h2]Leopard 2 Revolution[/h2]


The Leopard 2 Revolution is a continuation of the older Evolution upgrade, intended to improve the performance of the older variants of the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank in order to make it excel even on the battlefields of the 21st century. The improvements include a comprehensive armor upgrade, ROSY soft-kill APS and smoke grenade launchers as well as an entire suite of cutting edge electronics. You can read more about it in our dedicated article.



In Armored Warfare, the Leopard 2 Revolution is a Tier 8 Main Battle Tank. It is not only well-armored, it also features an extremely accurate 120mm gun with advanced ammunition, allowing it to destroy its opponents at very long ranges, rivaling those of Tank Destroyers. The German tanks in general perform best at longer ranges and the Revolution is no exception.

The Leopard 2 Revolution Total Destruction bundle contains the following items:
  • Leopard 2 Revolution Tier 8 Premium MBT
  • Commander Alexander Cortez
  • 30 days of Premium Time
  • 10 Platinum Loot Crates
  • 2 German historical camouflages
  • Bundeswehr crest decal
  • 150 Platinum Commander XP Insignia tokens
  • 2.500 Gold





We hope that you will enjoy the offer and, as always:

See you on the battlefield!