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Su-25

2024-04-06T03:23:58Z

U92533794: General improvements to page, corrected spelling errors and added details

{{About
| about = Soviet strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Su-25 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=su_25
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_su_25.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The Su-25 is an attack aircraft developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s. The Su-25, often compared to the American [[A-10A|A-10 Thunderbolt II]], is meant to offer ground attack and close air support to ground units. The Su-25 has been seen in different variants, some of the most known ones being the Su-25UB, a two seat trainer, the Su-25K, export variant, Su-25T, anti tank version, and Su-25SM, which was planned to be the variant used by the modern Russian Air Force, but due to funding limitations upgrade plans have been unsatisfactory. The Su-25 has been in several wars, including the War in Afghanistan, the Chechen Wars, and the 2008 Russo–Georgian war.

Introduced in [[Update "Drone Age"]], the Su-25 "Grach" (NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) is a famous attack jet, often considered a spiritual successor to the [[IL-2 (Family)|IL-2]] and the Soviet equivalent of the American [[A-10A|A-10 Thunderbolt II]]. Like the Warthog, the Su-25 has wide, spindly wings with plenty of hardpoints, a sutrdy fuselage, significant armour protection for the pilot, and a powerful 30 mm cannon in the fuselage that will shred light targets and unlucky aircraft alike. The two are rather different otherwise: the Grach is less manoeuvrable but has much better speed and climb and its precision weapons use laser guidance instead of TV. While it will have a hard time tangling with enemy fighters in an even engagement, with all-aspect R-60M missiles and a massive supply of large-calibre countermeasures, the Su-25 should not be disregarded in air combat. In its intended role of ground attack, it can lay waste to enemy vehicles with a variety of high-explosive ordnance.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 1,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 968 || 961 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.4 || 28.0 || 66.8 || 62.4 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 989 || 978 || 26.6 || 27.0 || 94.2 || 79.4
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || X || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,100  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 900 || N/A || 420 || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | UMPO R-95SH || 2
| colspan="2" | 10,236 kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel
|-
| 990 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 11,106 kg || 12,210 kg || 13,136 kg || 17,678 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 8m fuel || 20m fuel || 29m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,526 kgf || N/A
| 0.63 || 0.58 || 0.54 || 0.40
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,608 kgf (200 km/h) || N/A
| 0.65 || 0.59 || 0.55 || 0.41
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The Su-25 is known for its survivability, anecdotally being able to take a few missile hits without suffering any damage compromising its airworthiness, though this ability is inconsistent and should not be relied upon. The aircraft is fairly resistant to cannon fire (but will fall apart under prolonged exposure), and the Su-25 remains somewhat controllable even upon loss of tail control, wingtips, or an engine. The Su-25 is also equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks and an engine fire-suppression system, which may boost survivability in the event of an engine fire (keep in mind that the fire suppression system shuts down the engine permanently when activated).

The Su-25 possesses 256 countermeasures, launched two at a time: being high-caliber countermeasures, these are highly effective at distracting infrared and radar-guided missiles. Furthermore, the Su-25's lack of afterburner also boosts its survivability: the Su-25's heat signature is significantly lower than other attack aircraft (such as the Su-17/22 or MiG-27), which decreases the range at which infrared-guided missiles can lock onto the Su-25. Keep in mind, however, that high-performing IR missiles such as the AIM-9L or R-60M will have no trouble locking the Su-25 in all aspects.

Chaff is effective against radar-guided SARH missiles and radar-guided SPAA missiles. In ground battles, chaff provides a significant survivability boost to the Su-25, enabling it to evade attacks by enemy radar-guided SPAA. In air battles, chaff is not as useful, due to the lack of effective radar missiles around the Su-25's BR (early radar missiles such as the AIM-7D or R-23R are often combined with poor radars that can be easily notched/distracted with ground clutter): combined with the presence of highly-effective IR-guided missiles, such as the AIM-9L, it may be better to prioritize flares.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-30-2 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-2 cannon, chin-mounted (250 rpg)
** 1 x 30 mm GSh-30-2 cannon + 256 x countermeasures

The GSh-30-2 dual-barreled cannon is essentially a scaled up version of the GSh-23 used by MiG-21s and MiG-23s. Soviet helicopter pilots may have seen a long barreled variant on the [[Mi-24P]] attack helicopter. It has a great rate of fire with no spool-up and will rip any aircraft it touches to shreds. Against ground targets, it is effective at shredding SPAAs and IFVs, but MBTs will typically require steep top-down approaches (or attack from the rear) that are not easy to achieve in a heavy subsonic aircraft. The GSh-30-2 is less powerful than the A-10's GAU-8 Avenger gatling gun and has a much smaller ammunition supply, but as a backup weapon for when heavier ordanance is spent, it is more than adequate.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="4%" | 1 !! width="4%" | 2 !! width="4%" | 3 !! width="4%" | 4 !! width="4%" | 5 !! width="4%" | 6 !! width="4%" | 7 !! width="4%" | 8 !! width="4%" | 9 !! width="4%" | 10
| rowspan="23" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[GSh-23L (23 mm)|23 mm GSh-23L]] cannons (250 rpg)
| || || || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || || ||
|-
! [[OFAB-100 (100 kg)|100 kg OFAB-100]] bombs
| || 4 || 4 || 4 || 4 || 4 || 4 || 4 || 4 ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[OFAB-250Sh (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250Sh]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500M-62]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[FAB-500Sh (500 kg)|500 kg FAB-500Sh]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[ZB-500 incendiary]] bombs
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| || 32 || 32 || 32 || 32 || 32 || 32 || 32 || 32 ||
|-
! [[S-8KO]] rockets
| || 20 || 20 || 20 || 20 || 20 || 20 || 20 || 20 ||
|-
! [[S-13OF]] rockets
| || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 || 5 ||
|-
! [[S-24B]] rockets
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-25O]] rockets
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-25OF]] rockets
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[S-25OFM]] rockets
| || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 ||
|-
! [[Kh-25]] missiles
| || || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[Kh-25ML]] missiles
| || || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! [[Kh-29L]] missiles
| || || || || 1 || 1 || || || ||
|-
! [[R-60]] missiles
| 1 || || || || || || || || || 1
|-
! [[R-60M]] missiles
| 1 || || || || || || || || || 1
|-
! [[S-25L]] missiles
| || || 1 || 1 || || || 1 || 1 || ||
|-
! 820 l drop tanks
| || || 1 || || 1 || 1 || || 1 || ||
|-
| colspan="11" | Maximum permissible weight imbalance: 1,500 kg
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 4 x 820 l drop tanks
* 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-60M missiles
* 32 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (3,200 kg total)
* 8 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 8 x 250 kg OFAB-250Sh bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500Sh bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 8 x ZB-500 incendiary bombs
* 256 x S-5K rockets
* 160 x S-8KO rockets
* 40 x S-13OF rockets
* 8 x S-24B rockets
* 8 x S-25O rockets
* 4 x Kh-25ML missiles
* 2 x Kh-29L missiles
* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
{{Navigation-End}}

The Su-25 has a very large arsenal and loadouts can be customized to personal taste.

For air-to-air combat, the R-60 and R-60M missiles are available. The "Aphids" are highly manoeuvrable and have a short minimum range, but they are very prone to flares and their small warhead can sometimes feel lacking against durable opponents like the A-10. The R-60M features a superior seeker with better flare resistance and limited all-aspect capability: it is by all means an upgrade over the basic R-60 and should always be selected once unlocked. The capacity of two is enough for self defense but will necessitate frequent returns to the base.

Unguided bombs of many varieties (standard, high-drag, incendiary) can be selected and the maximum bombload of 4 tons is impressive by Soviet standards (although not at the level of the American fighter-bombers like the [[F-4C]]). With a full-fledged ballistic computer offering CCIP and CCRP for bombs, it is easy to deliver them accurately. In Ground RB, the CCRP is especially helpful for flying at treetop level to avoid SAMs and popping up to toss bombs at capture points or enemy spawns.

A record of five types of unguided rockets are available. Soviet helicopter pilots may be familiar with the S-5K and S-8KO HEAT rockets, which can be fired in huge swarms: however, the rockets are inaccurate and have limited stopping power against MBTs with composite armour. The S-5K in particular is quite obsolete at the Su-25's battle rating and may even have trouble against MBT side armour at times.

The three flavours of HE rockets are much more effective. The S-13OF is a 122 mm podded rocket that has enough TNT equivalent to destroy light targets easily, even through splash damage, and can still knock out MBTs with direct hits and a bit of luck. The 240 mm S-24B bunker-buster is a well known fixture in the Soviet arsenal, but they are now upstaged by the massive 340 mm S-25 rocket. The best S-25O variant (the OF and OFM should be disregarded) contains 58 kg of TNT, nearly as much as the [[Tiny Tim]], and makes most rockets look like firecrackers. With a maximum flight speed of 555 m/s, the S-25O can be slung at targets from standoff distances with CCIP and still make a huge mess upon impact. Generally, the choice of rockets should be a mix between the S-13OF (capacity) and S-25 (sheer power).

The Su-25 has a number of precision weapons as well, owing to the Klen-PS laser rangefinder/designation system in its nose. The Kh-25ML ("Karen") and Kh-29L ("Kedge") are laser-guided air-to-ground missiles with high speed and very large HE warheads. The S-25L is a laser-guided version of the S-25 with a launch range of 7 km, but unfortunately the TNT equivalent of 20 kg is a shadow of the S-25O's glory and it has a harder time manoeuvring than a true missile. While these weapons are long-ranged and pack a punch, the main issue is the primitive nature of the Klen-PS system, similar to the challenges of the Su-17/22 family and the MiG-27M. It has a poor optical zoom (with no TV camera, the pilot is left only with the view through the cockpit), so spotting tanks at the distances where the full range and accuracy of laser-guided weapons would be useful is difficult; furthermore, the Klen-PS does not have an auto-tracker, so hitting moving targets is difficult (as the pilot must manually track the target, while being wary of enemy SPAA). The limited field of view also forces the Su-25 to essentially joust at whatever it is aiming at, a poor idea when the airspace is contested or SAMs are on the field. Thus, these weapons are situational and many pilots will prefer unguided rockets instead.

== Usage in battles ==


The Su-25 is best suited for low altitude attack runs on enemy ground units. Its multitude of air-to-ground weapons as well as its good survivability allow it to perform close-air support in Ground Realistic Battles very well. However, like the A-10, it needs some finesse in its operation, as it is outperformed by contemporary fighters and can be sent back to the hangar by a good SAM operator if the pilot is not careful. If there are no significant threats around, the Su-25 can fly at medium altitudes, look for targets, and lob HE rockets at them with ease. Otherwise, it is best to maintain a low profile and circle around the battlefield at lower altitudes to better avoid detection from SAMs and enemy fighters. A pair of R-60Ms can effectively dispatch enemy aircraft in sneak attacks, but evicting enemy SAM operators is a more difficult question. The simplest option is to determine where they are located, which in most cases will be the enemy spawn, and figure out an approach that will allow for a sneak attack; a single S-25O landing in the neighbourhood of a SPAA vehicle will usually knock it out of commission. If reliable teammates are available, the laser-guided missiles have some utility. Active scouting and drone target designation will allow the Su-25 to see the location of enemy SAMs and begin a high-altitude missile joust with a Kh-25 or Kh-29 at safer distances, and if the S-25O's 58 kg of TNT was impressive, the Karen/Kedge's 100+ kg of TNT are nothing short of spectacular. Make good use of the Su-25's massive countermeasure capacity, as these are high-calibre countermeasures with strong effects. It should be difficult for enemies to obtain radar or IR locks on the Frogfoot.

In Air Realistic Battles, it still is a force to be reckoned with in terms of ground attack, being able to erase a huge chunk of enemy points if left alone. The large quantity of unguided rockets allows for mass destruction of most ground targets, and the large quantity of bombs allows for two bases to be destroyed in one flight. Additionally, the GSh-30-2 cannon will easily rip through light, medium and heavy tanks from the sides or the rear (the same applies to light pillboxes if aimed at the top/rear). In terms of air-to-air combat, the Su-25 is equipped with plentiful countermeasures and can utilize its excellent R-60M missiles for self-defence, being able to lock onto incoming enemy planes from any direction. Keep in mind that as long as you maintain your speed, you might keep up in a dogfight with an opponent but after a few turns the aircraft will bleed a lot of speed and become very sluggish.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Effective offensive armament, the GSh-30-2 cannon has very high shell velocity and good hitting power
* Well armoured airframe, can survive a lot of damage
* Decent acceleration
* Access to all-aspect R-60M missiles with great tracking
* Generous amount of countermeasures
* Access to devastating S-25 rockets and laser-guided weapons
* Wide array of suspended armament and possibility to create custom loadouts

'''Cons:'''

* Low maximum speed
* Big aircraft, easy to hit
* Poor zoom on the Klen-PS system minimizes the effectiveness of guided weapons
* Large turn radius
* Compression at higher speeds
* Can rip its wings in level flight if not careful and in sustained high speed turns

== History ==

After realizing that current supersonic attacks with planes like the Su-7, Su-17, MiG-21, and MiG-23 were not capable of precisely attacking ground forces at high speeds. The Soviet Ministry of Defense started developing a new dedicated attack aircraft meant to operate close to the ground forces and stay alive. The development contract was given to the designer Sukhoi, with the aircraft making its first flight in 1972 and entering production in 1978.

The chosen configuration was a two engine, single seat attacker with big wings for more stable flight at low-medium altitudes. Several early variants of the plane appeared, like the Su-25UB training aircraft. A small number of the Su-25UTGs were produced, modified to land on the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier. More modern variants were produced, including the [[Su-25T]] and Su-25TM (aka [[Su-39]]), specially designed to be used in anti-tank duties, with improved guidance systems, avionics, and electronic equipment. It was planned to upgrade all old Su-25s in the Russian Air Force to a new standard, the Su-25SM, which included better navigation systems, improved engine, more capable loadouts and better survivability, but it was cancelled due to lack of funding.

The aircraft had good results in the international market, being used by several countries to this day. It had its baptism of fire in the Soviet War in Afghanistan, being used to destroy fortified positions controlled by Afghan rebels. A total of 50 aircraft were deployed, with more than 60,000 sorties and 21 losses by the end of the war. In the Persian Gulf War, the Su-25 had very poor performance; since it needed air superiority to be deployed, most Iraqi Su-25s stayed on the ground, since most of the time they were intercepted and destroyed by coalition fighters. During the Chechen Wars, the Su-25s had mixed performance, in the first war, the Su-25s had very few losses and were capable of wiping out many Chechen aircraft while they were still on the ground. However, during the second war, more units were lost, mainly due to MANPADS with up to 7 aircraft being lost during the conflict. It has seen several more conflicts, and is still a very important asset in the arsenal of many nations for CAS duties.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=su_25 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|C4P93QnwRlI|'''The Shooting Range #349''' - ''Arsenal'' section at 07:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|qR4zPyav9hk|'''The Shooting Range #320''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|5Vexxf35JRs|'''Su-25 : A Basic Review''' - ''Tims Variety''}}

== See also ==


* [[A-10A]]
* [[A-10A Late]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/7846-development-su-25-and-su-25k-armor-pecking-rooks-en|[Devblog] Su-25 and Su-25K: Armor-pecking Rooks]]
* [[wikipedia:Sukhoi_Su-25|[Wikipedia] Sukhoi Su-25]]

{{AirManufacturer Sukhoi}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}

Su-22M3

2022-01-09T23:29:27Z

U92533794: Small edits to grammar and added detail.

{{Specs-Card
|code=su_22m3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a squadron rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet strike aircraft {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 11,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,205 || 2,190 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 27.4 || 27.5 || 148.5 || 142.0 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | _____ || _
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
| ___ kg || colspan="2" | ___
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|NR-30 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 2 x 30 mm NR-30 cannons, wing-mounted (80 rpg = 160 total)
** 2 x 30 mm NR-30 cannons (80 rpg = 160 total) + 12 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|FAB-500M-62 (500 kg)|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}
{{main|Kh-23M|Kh-25ML|Kh-29L|R-60}}
{{main|S-3K|S-8KO|S-24B|S-25L|S-25O}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 20 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 10 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (2,500 kg total)
* 8 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 28 x S-3K rockets
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 6 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 4 x Kh-25ML missiles
* 2 x Kh-29L missiles
* 6 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 20 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 10 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (2,500 kg total)
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 8 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (4,000 kg total)
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 28 x S-3K rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 6 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 4 x Kh-25ML missiles
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x Kh-29L missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 18 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,800 kg total)
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 18 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs + 2 x R-60 missiles (1,800 kg total)
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 8 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 8 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs + 2 x R-60 missiles (2,000 kg total)
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 6 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs (3,000 kg total)
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 6 x 500 kg FAB-500M-62 bombs + 2 x R-60 missiles (3,000 kg total)
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 40 x S-8KO rockets + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 28 x S-3K rockets
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 28 x S-3K rockets + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 4 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 4 x S-24B rockets + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 2 x Kh-23M missiles
* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon + 2 x Kh-23M missiles + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 4 x Kh-25ML missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 4 x Kh-25ML missiles + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 2 x Kh-29L missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 2 x Kh-29L missiles + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x S-25O rockets
* 2 x S-25O rockets + 6 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x S-25O rockets + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons
* 2 x S-25O rockets + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x S-25L missiles
* 2 x S-25L missiles + 6 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x S-25L missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons
* 2 x S-25L missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons + 2 x R-60 missiles

== Usage in battles ==

In air battles, like the Su-17, the {{PAGENAME}}'s usage and capabilities are heavily dependent on how well you can use the variable sweep to your advantage. With the wings fully swept, its performance at low speeds can become extremely sluggish, making you an easy target for any fighter that finds you at slow speeds. However, with the wing unswept and with awareness of your speed, altitude, and enemy presence, you can dominate any sustained fights. It is best to start out your match by attacking bombing bases, then after all you bombs are dropped head into direction of the enemy teams base at low altitudes and avoid head-ons. Try to drag fighters away from the group.

On 1v1s against F-4s, JA37s, and MiG-21MFs, attempt to drag them into lower speeds where you can fully unsweep your wings and use your better low speed turning against them. With fighters that are better in turns with energy such as Mirages, Drakens, and F-5s, slowly take away their energy and altitude, making them easy targets to clean up . Your upgraded engine over the Su-17 will allow you to escape from any attempts these fighters attempt to make with you. It is not recommended to turn-fight F-5s and is best to slowly drain their speed and never attempt to turn with them, as the F-5's energy retention and turn rate is higher than the Su-22 in almost all circumstances.

Always be mindful of your speed and sweep angle as many pilots will find that their plane can become either very sluggish at full sweep angles or be very slow with unswept angles. NEVER attempt to take on coordinated groups as your missiles and guns can be quickly drained (as you only get 6 R-60 at maximum and only 160 rounds for your cannons, and get you killed quickly. It is strongly recommended to play in coordination with other players to bait enemy players into you to drastically increase your chances of survival. Going to high altitude is unadvised, as with the Su-22s low countermeasure amount, (18 large-caliber countermeasures) you will be quickly dispatched by radar guided missiles such as the AIM-7 Sparrow.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* High max speed and climb rate
* Numerous weapon loadout presets
* Brilliant selection of guided weapons to hit ground targets
* Variable sweep wing
* Brilliant S-25L laser-guided missiles
* Excellent maneuverability with wings at minimum sweep
* High energy retention in swept wings and high energy bleed rate with minimum sweep wings
* Large-caliber countermeasures are more effective than standard countermeasures at luring away missiles

'''Cons:'''

* Huge target
* Somewhat sluggish at near stall speeds
* Becomes very sluggish with fully swept wings and has a very low max speed with non-swept wings
* Lacks radar
* Lacks any long range (radar-guided) air to air missiles, is limited to 6 or 2 R-60s
* Requires the near constant use of manual wing sweep in combat
* Very low countermeasure count requires sparing use

== History ==

The Su-22M3 is one of the variants of the Su-17 strike aircraft series designed for export. A distinctive feature of the project was the adaptation of the Su-17M3 airframe for the installation of the Tumansky R-29BS-300 engine, similar to the exported MiG-23’s R-29-300. It was assumed that the engine, familiar to foreign operators, would simplify the service and operation of the aircraft. Unlike the earlier simplified commercial versions, the Su-22M3 modification had avionics completely unified with the Su-17M3. The machine was produced in 1982-83 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, a total of 70 Su-22M3 units were built. These fighter-bombers were delivered to Hungary, Syria, and Iraq.

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Su-17M2]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/7487-development-squadron-vehicles-su-22m3-en|[Devblog] Squadron vehicles: Su-22M3]]

{{AirManufacturer Sukhoi}}
{{USSR jet aircraft}}
{{Squadron aircraft}}

M41A1

2021-11-23T02:53:00Z

U92533794: Added the fact that M41 has commander fire control to the pros and cons section.

{{Specs-Card
|code=us_m41_walker_bulldog
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced at the same time as the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. A large improvement over its predecessor, the [[M24|M24 ''Chaffee'']], it features a gun that can more adequately fight the tanks at its tier with an APDS round and has very good mobility and low profile to move quickly against the enemy.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Lower glacis)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 28.5 mm (49°) ''Front glacis'' 63.5 mm (33-37°) ''Lower glacis'' || 28.5 mm || 28.5 mm (46°) ''Top'' 25.4 mm (1°) ''Middle'' 25.4 mm (20°) ''Bottom'' || 12.7 mm
|-
| Turret || 44.4 mm (11-13°) ''Turret front'' 50.8 mm (2-43°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 31.75 mm (1°) || 31.75 mm (1°) || 12.7 mm
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels, bogies, and tracks are 15 mm thick.
* An extra 12.7 mm RHA metal plate is present on the right side of the turret near the pintle 7.62 mm machine gun.
* A 4 mm Structural steel box is present, mounted on the vehicle rear turret.

There aren't any specific targets worth noting as the M41A1 will be hurt by pretty much anything. Be extra careful with [[:Category:Anti-aircraft_vehicles|SPAAs]] as they can knock out the ''Walker Bulldog's components with ease and even destroy the tank.''

If at all possible, try only to expose the turret. If using the terrain to the M41A1's advantage, it'll usually be able to fire one to three shots, then start moving forwards and backwards, thus making it a lot harder for the enemy to hit the tank. Generally, the M41A1 be able to get in two shots on most targets before they can fire back, and the M41A1 accelerates from 0 to 30 km/h fast enough to become a hard target to hit if only the turret is exposed!

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=775|rbMinHp=442}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|M32 (76 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M32 (76 mm)|76 mm M32]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 65 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 34.27 || 47.44 || 57.60 || 63.69 || 67.76 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 21.42 || 25.20 || 30.60 || 33.84 || 36.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| M339 shot || AP || 177 || 173 || 159 || 143 || 129 || 116
|-
| M352 shell || HE || 12 || 12 || 12 || 12 || 12 || 12
|-
| M319 shot || APCR || 206 || 200 || 174 || 146 || 122 || 103
|-
| M331A2 shot || APDS || 232 || 231 || 212 || 193 || 163 || 137
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| M339 shot || AP || 975 || 6.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
| M352 shell || HE || 732 || 6.8 || 0 || 0.1 || 867.22 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| M319 shot || APCR || 1,234 || 3.2 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
|-
| M331A2 shot || APDS || 1,231 || 1.49 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 75° || 78° || 80°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
|-
! Ammunition
! Velocity (m/s)
! Projectile Mass (kg)
! Screen radius (m)
! Screen deploy time (s)
! Screen hold time (s)
! Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
|-
| M361 || 713 || 7.1 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''65''' || 33 ''(+32)'' || 12 ''(+53)'' || 1 ''(+64)'' || No
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 2,175 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 4,900 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

Like the tanks that come before it, the ''Bulldog'' should be used as a rapid-deployment support vehicle in conjunction with heavier vehicles like the [[T32|T32]]. It is best used to run rapid insertion and flanking operations while allowing the heavier tanks to absorb the brunt of the enemy attack. The ''Walker Bulldog'' works well with [[M26|M26 Medium tanks]] as the M26 has a harder hitting gun to support the light tank's advance, but the M41A1 maintains a much better climb rate for hills and a much faster acceleration. The ''Bulldog's'' top speed does cap off-road, requiring good knowledge of the map to make the most of the terrain.

Always remember that the ''Bulldog'' lacks any effective armour. In a frontal attack, it will be easily penetrated by almost anything the enemy throws at it. Try to use the terrain to hide the tank and relocate after shots. Also, attempt to engage targets who are busy or already engaged with teammates. The ''Bulldog's'' 76 mm gun has great penetration, but due to the solid shot armour-piercing rounds it has it is necessary to make each shot count by hitting either ammo racks or fuel tanks/engines to disable and or destroy an enemy vehicle. Equipping HVAP rounds, later on, makes it easier to destroy vehicles with better side armour such as the [[IS-3]] which has a fairly strong side profile. Finally, avoid using the APCR rounds unless the APDS module has not yet been unlocked.

===Tactics===
The ''Bulldog'' is best playing a mobile role; trail the outskirts of the map and take shots at the enemy from a distance and keep relocating. Don't stand still for too long as one or two hits are usually enough to completely disable the tank.

While playing this tank, the biggest concern should be not to get hit ''by anything''. Given its thin armour, anything that the Bulldog is facing will be able to deal heavy damage. In summary, the ''Bulldog'' is a very manoeuvrable tank and with practice is a very potent threat to enemies.

If up against heavy tanks, such as the [[Tiger II (H)|Tiger II H]], don't bother trying to hit its front chassis armour even with APDS. The chances to penetrate this tank's upper glacis are very low. It is better to try and either ignoring him or aiming for his lower glacis and turret. Should the round penetrate the lower glacis, the transmission is likely to catch on fire. When attacking the turret, aim for the gunner on the left (player's right) of the gun. After that, disengage as the gunner will be replaced faster than the M41A1 can reload. Fighting off heavily armoured targets takes a lot of practice, but the gun's accuracy and good penetration can be used to the M41A1's advantage. Ambushing tanks as such as the Panther V series which many variants have slow slew rates will be highly effective as you can get two-three shots off and disable the gunner when you get a flank.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Extremely agile tank
* Good top speed 72 km/h (average speed is more around 35-40 km/h)
* Manually controlling the gears will give you a good advantage(1st level: up to gear two and 19 km/h & 2nd level up to gear three and 39 km/h)
* Fast turret traverse
* Fast reload rate
* Respectable firepower when loaded with APDS, can penetrate tough targets such as Panther's upper frontal glacis
* APDS has high muzzle velocity, easy to hit targets at longer ranges
* Good flanker
* Good suspension; can drive away from steep downhills and jumps
* .50 cal AA machine gun with good coverage
* AP is highly lethal to most tanks of all-tiers post pen
* Similar silhouette as the M47
* Access to night vision device (NVD)
* Plays similarly to the M24 and the M18, but with a much better gun
* Access to some unique light tanks upgrades such as airstrike and improved optics
* Decent acceleration
* Access to duplicate commander fire control, allowing the gun to fire even when the gunner is dead. (this also makes it so that the M41A1 is slightly more survivable than it's other counterparts from other nations).

'''Cons:'''

* Low torque, without downhill the tank won't reach higher speeds than 50 km/h
* SPAA can be a threat but not as apparent
* Thin armour is still thick enough to trigger most APHE/APCBC shell fuses
* NVD is only available for driver (3rd person or driver view)
* Due to weak engine, unsuitable for scouting unit
* Scouting requires map knowledge
* Ammo storage in the front, next to the driver
* No APHE shells that can be quite handy at times
* APDS shot causes only puncture damage; due to small spall effect after penetration, typically only modules and equipment directly in the path of the shot are damaged
* No explosive filler on any AP shells
* Larger than the typical light tank
* The absence of stabilizer makes it extremely difficult to aim while moving and even worse when breaking
* Unlike the German LekPz M41, the A1 variant doesn't have HEAT-FS and smoke grenade launcher.

== History ==

===Development===
The U.S. Army light tank in the later part of World War II, the [[M24|M24 ''Chaffee'']], was a promising design but was deemed not effective for the future of armour encounters. Though its role as a scout was seen as needing the 75 mm gun, the army wanted a tank with a better gun to have a more equal chance against tanks. The project began as the ''T37'' program in 1947 with the focus of being air-transportable with an anti-tank capability in the form of a 76 mm gun and a rangefinder. The adoption of a simplified rangefinder had the project designation changed to the ''T41''. After testings and evaluations, the ''T41'' model was accepted into service as the '''M41 ''Little Bulldog'' ''', with production starting at Cadillac Cleveland Tank Plant in 1951. The name ''Little Bulldog'' stayed until General Walton Walker, the first commander of the 8th US Army in Korea, died in a car accident, so the tank was renamed into the '''M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' ''' in remembrance. Production went from 1953 to somewhere in the late 1960s with about 3,728 units produced.

The M41 light tank would go on to replace the M24 ''Chaffees'' by 1953. The M41 had a crew of four, commander, gunner, loader, and driver. The tank had a profile of under 9 feet and 19 feet long. The tank was lightweight at 23.5 tons and thus had rather thin armour, with the front armour only 25.4 mm thick (sloped at 60 degrees for about 50 mm effective). However, the tank was very agile with its torsion bar suspension and Continental AOS 895-3 series 6-cylinder gasoline engine of 500 hp which could deliver a road speed of 45 mph with a 100 miles operating range. Unfortunately, the tank was criticized for being noisy, a fuel-guzzler, rather heavy, and the American crewman found the ''Bulldog's'' interior to be quite cramped. Despite that, it delivered speed, firepower, and reliability in a light tank format. Several upgrades were made on the M41 with better technology, the '''M41A1''' had a hydraulic turret traverse with more ammo storage, the ''M41A2'' had a new fuel system, and the ''M41A3'' are old M41A1 tanks with the new fuel system from the M41A2.

===Combat usage===
The M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' first saw use in Korea in a limited combat run. The tanks, still labelled their experimental designation T41, were sent for field testing on design deficiencies. It is unknown what other purposes they served there except for the tests. Their first major conflict once adopted by the U.S. Army was in Vietnam, mainly by replacing the M24 ''Chaffees'' in service with the South Vietnamese army (ARVN) at the time. The M41A3 tanks arrived in January 1965 and were instantly popular; not only for their advantages, but the previously cramped interior for American crews were actually a perfect fit for the smaller Vietnamese armour crewman. The ''Bulldog'' went on to fight in the Vietnam War as a reliable war machine. The ''Bulldog'' had an advantage due to its lightweight in manoeuvring in the jungle terrain of the region. In 1971, Operation Lam Son 719, the disruption of the North Vietnamese Army supply lines had the M41 ''Bulldogs'' play a major role, accompanied by two airborne battalions and two cavalry regiments. Penetrating deep into enemy lines, the 17 M41 tanks engaged and destroyed six Soviet-designed [[T-54 (1951)|T-54 tanks]] and other lighter armoured vehicles. This engagement came at a loss of 5 M41 and 25 armoured personnel carriers. By 1973, the ARVN still used about 200 M41 tanks while the transition of the American unit over to the [[M48A1|M48A3 ''Patton'' tanks]] in Europe and Stateside. The M41 light tanks were also exported to various other countries. Today, Guatemala, Somalia, Taiwan, Uruguay, and Vietnam still use the M41 ''Walker Bulldog'', some via upgrading the tanks to extend their service life.

The M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' design was advanced for the time, giving a relatively lightweight tank the firepower to take on other tanks of its time period. The chassis was even used on the ''[[M42|M42 ''Duster'' Anti-Air gun]]'' and the ''M75 Armored Personnel Carrier''. The drive, engine, transmission, and auxiliary engine also were used in the ''M44/M52 155 howitzer''. By 1969, the US Army began replacing the M41 with the newer [[M551|M551 ''Sheridan'' Armored Airborne Reconnaissance Assault Vehicle]] (officially not a "light tank") which had a [[M81 (152 mm)|152 mm cannon]] that could fire shells and [[Anti-tank_guided_missiles|anti-tank missiles]]. The M551 ''Sheridan'' could be used in roles that the M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' couldn't do, such as be air-dropped and amphibious but was rather unreliable. This made the M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' to be the last American "light tank" produced and the last made before the classification between tank classes based on weight and role ended.

=== In-game description ===
In 1946 the Americans began looking for a replacement for the M24 Chaffee. The design for the new tank was to lean on experiences drawn from the Second World War.

In 1953 deliveries of the M41 Walker Bulldog to the US army began, with 5,500 units ultimately released.

The M41 Walker Bulldog featured a traditional layout with a welded hull and rationally sloped frontal plates. The turret was welded from cast and rolled armor elements. The running gear on each side was made up of five road wheels and three track return rollers in addition to guiding and leading wheels. The road wheels were independent of the torsion bar suspension, while the suspension for the first, second, and fifth rollers was equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers. The 500 hp air-cooled Continental AOS-895-3 engine featured a fire extinguishing system.

The tank's armament consisted of a 76 mm M32 cannon, a coaxial 7.62 mm Browning M1919A4E1 machine gun, and a turret-mounted 12.7 mm Browning M2HB anti-aircraft gun. The weapon was not stabilized and was equipped with a muzzle brake to reduce recoil. The battle compartment featured 24 rounds for fast reloading, along with 33 more in the tank hull that were only accessible when the turret was rotated hard to the rear.

Practice showed that the new tanks were poorly suited for reconnaissance, and their heavy weight and large dimensions made them just as difficult to transport as medium tanks. Those removed from active duty were quickly handed over and sold to allies and dependent governments.

M41 Walker Bulldogs saw combat in Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, the UK, North (captured) and South Vietnam, Guatemala, and Greece.

== Media ==

[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=light_tank&vehicle=us_m41_walker_bulldog '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the M41A1 from live.warthunder]

*[http://live.warthunder.com/post/95846/ '''"US ARMY" 532''' by ''JoKeR_BvB09'']
*[http://live.warthunder.com/post/101650/ '''"German Bundeswehr 3tone skin - 2nd Co of Panzeraufklärungsbataillon 5 ( ReconBn )" fictional''' by ''JoKeR_BvB09'']
*[http://live.warthunder.com/post/95835/ '''"(Fictional) M41 Flecktarn <nowiki>[Germany 1985]</nowiki>"''' by ''Tiger_VI'']

== See also ==


;Other [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)|M41 Walker Bulldog]] vehicles

* [[LeKPz M41]] - M41A1 in the German tech tree
* [[M41A1 (Japan)]] - M41A1 in the Japanese tech tree
* [[M42 Duster (Family)|M42 Duster]] - SPAA variant based on the M41 light tank chassis

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/3018/current/|[Vehicle Profile] M41 Walker Bulldog [Decal Included]]]

{{USA light tanks}}

SBD-3

2021-04-12T22:59:18Z

U92533794: Added details and fixed minor grammatical errors.

{{Specs-Card
|code=sbd-3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_sbd-3.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American dive bomber {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


As a dive bomber, it has very good dive characteristics and manoeuvres decently at most speeds. Although the engine is relatively weak, it could be WEP-ed for a long time before it reaches the overheating stage. This is not an aircraft which you will want to fly at high altitudes but should remain lower where it is a capable dive bomber.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,500 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 422 || 409 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.6 || 27.8 || 7.9 || 7.8 || rowspan="2" | 291
|-
! Upgraded
| 456 || 439 || 24.3 || 25.5 || 14.3 || 9.8
|-
|}

[[File:Kette of SBD.jpg|thumbnail|right|A trio of Dauntlesses in formation.]]

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 490 || 469 || 320 || ~13 || ~13
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 350 || < 350 || < 380 || > 299
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 1,324 m || 950 hp || 1,000 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 4,777 m || 800 hp || 842 hp
|-
|}

====Engine performance====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine Name
! colspan="3" | Number present
|-
| colspan="3" | Wright Cyclone R-1820-52 9-cylinder || colspan="1" | 1
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine characteristics
|-
! colspan="2" | Weight (each)
! colspan="1" | Type
! colspan="1" | Cooling
|-
| colspan="2" | 907 kg || Radial || Air
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Stock)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="2" | 889 hp || colspan="2" | 939 hp
|-
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="2" | 879 hp || colspan="2" | 930 hp
|-
! colspan="4" | Engine power (Upgraded)
|-
! Mode
! colspan="2" | Max
! colspan="2" | Take-off
|-
| ''Arcade'' || colspan="2" | 1,023 hp || colspan="2" | 1,074 hp
|-
| ''Realistic/Simulator'' || colspan="2" | 950 hp || colspan="2" | 1,000 hp
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | WEP Duration
|-
! colspan="2" | Arcade
! colspan="2" | Realistic/Simulator
|-
| colspan="2" | 25 seconds || colspan="2" | Infinite
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 38 mm bulletproof glass in the windshield
* 12.7 mm steel pilot seat
* 12.7 mm steel protecting the gunner
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (2 in each wing)

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (180 rpg = 360 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|AN-M30A1 (100 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|Type A Mark I mine|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* 1 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb + 2 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs (1,200 lb total)
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (gunpods) (340 rpg = 1,360 total)
* 1 x Type A Mark I mine

=== Defensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Defensive}}

{{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:

* 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)

== Usage in battles ==

The Dauntless is an underrated aircraft, as it is viewed as a weak and sluggish bomber by a majority of tier 1 players. Use this to your advantage by catching unsuspecting bombers and fighters. Its manoeuvrability is good enough to energy fight the enemy. You should try to keep your speed higher than 200 km/h and stay at altitudes lower than 2km.

This plane is good at what it was designed for Dive Bombing. Start at a high altitude at around 4-5,000 feet, fly directly above the target, invert the plane, cut the throttle and deploy airbrakes (h key by default), dive, at 1,000-700 feet release bombs, pull the nose up, retract air brakes, push the throttle to full, then pitch up in a climb.

The small bomb load requires you pick your targets carefully and make your bombs count, choose to attack artillery positions or bases, where you have a higher chance of hitting due to their stationary position. Ships are also prime targets (it is what it was designed for), as the 1000lb bomb is plenty to sink a small ship.

Do not rely on fighter support when focusing on ground targets. After you drop your bombs, the plane should be manoeuvrable enough to dogfight enemies. You should stay on deck and manoeuvre wisely to not expose your weak underbelly. If you are caught at high altitude, go into a steep dive until you are at the deck, there is a good chance you may out dive them. If you cannot lose the enemy, try to quickly turn to your enemy's direction. your high G tolerance is equal, if not better than most enemies so you could lose them if they cant follow your turn.

'''''Realistic Mode Procedures'''''

With the gun pods attached, you could act as menacing fighter support. With a high altitude spawn, try to hunt bombers first before you consider killing fighters. climb up to 4,500 meters to get your max speed so you can dive down to the bombers. After eliminating a bomber or two, you should find that your allies are starting to engage the enemy. You could help them by catching enemies that are turning, have low speed, or attacking an ally. It should be easy to do all of this because of your energy advantage. You are still marked as a bomber, so enemies will surely consider you as an easy kill. You can not outrun them, but you can turn very well at almost every speed except stall. If they are coming from behind, a sudden reverse would be a good manoeuvre to throw them off. After that, you could either perform a head-on or fly under the enemy to avoid them. Avoid rushing upwards to maintain speed. Combine all of that with good trigger discipline, it is possible to achieve a five kill game.

'''''Simulator mode procedures'''''

Hands-off carrier take-off (Auto engine control): Start the engine, flaps: raised, elevator trim: 15%, aileron trim: 11%, rudder trim: 6%, WEP throttle, hands-off controls until you lift off the carrier.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

[[Yak-2 KABB]]: Do not think that the {{PAGENAME}} can confidently out maneuver this plane just because it is twin-engined. The Yak-2 has an amazing turn rate for a heavy fighter, thus the {{PAGENAME}} must avoid turning with it, if not dogfighting with it in general. It bears a pair of ShVAK cannons that can easily damage vital parts like engine or cooling systems. It has green camo, greatly resembling an Me 410 but with an H-tail like a Bf 110's.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Controllable 2 gears || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Gets a bomber spawn which really makes up for its performance
* Can turn with most enemy fighters on its rank
* It has two powerful machine guns that are centrally mounted, meaning you can effectively hunt down low-tier bombers and in most situations, be a quasi-fighter aircraft
* Its bombs are powerful enough to destroy packed enemy ground vehicles
* Its manoeuvrability is good enough to attack enemy bombers and support friendly fighters
* Tail gunner has excellent coverage, almost a perfect 180 degrees on a horizontal plane
* Can "pullout" from a 60-degree dive quite effectively
* Tail gun also has plenty of ammunition
* Can be used as a fighter when needed
* Can increase the total firepower to 6 .50 cals, one of the earliest plane that has six M2 Brownings
* Good firepower, enough to make quick kills on planes and ground targets alike. Extremely useful for attacking weakly armoured tanks
* Decent dive characteristics
* Will not break its wing on high G turns up to 600 km/h

'''Cons:'''

* It is still a dive bomber, so its manoeuvrability is limited by its poor energy retention
* Low ammo capacity for the nose-mounted machine guns
* The tail gunner won't do so much, because he is too exposed and the 2 x 7.62 is not powerful enough to destroy planes of its tier
* Limited selection of bombs, only one payload is available to choose from
* Slow acceleration
* Poor climb rate
* Poor energy retention
* Slow speed
* WEP only works on low altitude

== History ==


First flight recorded 1st of may 1940. Retired 1959. Produced from 1940-1944 Top speed 410 kmh/254.7 mph. 1,200 hp engine. Length 33 feet. Wing span is roughly 41 feet. Empty weight 6,404 lb/ 2,905 kg. Gross weight is 10,400 lb/ 4,245 kg. Bomb load is 1,200 lb/ 544 kg.

The SBD-3, also known as the Dauntless is an American dive-bomber from the early 1940s. It was a carrier-based aircraft which was used for scouting and bombing. This plane is most famous for it's contribution to the Battle of Midway. This battle was the first ''major'' naval victory for the Americans, of which four Japanese carriers were sunk and multiple other ships heavily damaged and sunk.

Pilots and gunners of the SBD-3 and other military personnel gave the bomber the nickname "Slow But Deadly". Although this plane was slow, it has a large wing area and thus high maneuverability. This aircraft is a 2 man crew, so when going into and out of a dive the pilot wouldn't have to check the altitude saving him time, though that was not the only use of the gunner/radioman he would cover the pilot, engaging any enemy fighters who would come behind the aircraft and could also double as a radioman.

These incredible planes all saw service in the United States Navy, United States Army Air Corps, United States Marine Corps and the Free French Air Force. There were 5,936 SBD-3 made; unfortunately, only four or five original US Navy planes survive today with the rest being replicas.

=== In-game description ===
A carrier-based dive-bomber/reconnaissance aircraft.

The most well-known U.S. Navy bomber, and perhaps the most significant dive-bomber of the war. Despite the fact that the decision to write off the SBD as outdated was made before the war, the bomber was still actively involved in combat, and in 1942 it sunk more enemy ships than all other Navy aircraft combined.

Originally, the series was called the XBT, and showed as many innovations as it did drawbacks. This aircraft had a revolutionary honeycomb wing structure and a reasonably small fuselage. But its wings could not be folded, and occasionally it would spontaneously go into a barrel roll, which caused a series of catastrophic accidents. After intensive research in conjunction with NACA, the dive-bomber was radically redesigned, most of its shortcomings were removed, and it was named the Scout Bomber.

The SBD-3 variant was a Scout Bomber which was finally fit for combat. It had self-sealing fuel tanks, armor, and bulletproof cockpit glass. To keep its performance characteristics, the aircraft's weight was reduced by replacing its duralumin sheeting with a much lighter material. Also, all the equipment designed to keep the plane afloat in the event of a water landing was removed.

Soldiers dubbed the SBD the "Slow But Deadly". This aircraft destroyed the pride of the Japanese carrier force at the Battle of Midway, inflicting damage from which the Japanese Imperial Navy was never able to recover.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=#23SBD Skins and camouflages for the Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|rnfxWsXct9E|'''The Shooting Range #12''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 05:47 discusses the Douglas SBD Dauntless.}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/4442-profile-sbd-3-dauntless-slow-but-deadly-en/|[Profile] SBD-3 Dauntless - Slow But Deadly]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/491957-sbd-3/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Douglas}}
{{USA bombers}}

Leopard 2 PL

2021-03-15T17:02:01Z

U92533794: Added more details and fixed minor grammatical errors.

{{Specs-Card
|code=germ_leopard_2pl
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a squadron rank {{Specs|rank}} German medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Ixwa Strike"]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

[[File:Leopard 2PL Heat vs gps.png|thumb|Due to volumetric armour, HEAT-FS rounds are not able to penetrate the GPS]]
[[File:Leopard 2PL Dart vs gps.png|thumb|APFSDS dart is able to penetrate the Gunner Primary Sight taking out both gunner and commander. However the add-on armour reduces the chances of killing them both in a single shot.]]

The Leopard 2PL features the strongest and most armoured turret for the Leopard 2 series tanks seen in game so far. It features a stronger turret armour compared to all the Leopard 2 seen in game but has no add-on hull protection as the [[Strv 122A]] and the [[Strv 122B PLSS]]. This version is based on the 2A4 series, and so features the same problems with the hull armour, barely enough to stop rounds seen in game. However, it completely removes the amour issues from the turret. At first sight, the GPS (Gunner Primary Sight) can be seen as the main weak point since it is the same weakspot the 2A4 has. However, taking into consideration the new armour package, hitting the GPS makes is far harder without hitting add-on armour first. As seen in the image, the GPS is mostly safe from HEAT-FS and other chemical shells due to the volumetric armour, meaning they will either prematurely explode, or simply not be able to penetrate the 500+ millimeters of protection offered by the add-on armour package. However, for sub-calibre rounds like APFSDS, the composite armour offers less protection. As seen in the Leopard 2A4, any hit to the GPS means both gunner and commander will be knocked out. However, chances of hitting the GPS in the exact place for it to disable both crew members is reduced immensely thanks to the add-on armour. Most of the time, any hit to the GPS will result in the knock-out of the commander only with partial damage to the gunner. As seen in picture, the area highlighted is the place in which both the gunner and commander can be killed with a single shot (more specifically the lower section of the rectangular optic in the GPS).

[[File:Leopard 2PL HEAT-FS vs turret sides.png|thumb|MILAN ATGM is unable to penetrate the turret sides.]]
[[File:Leopard 2PL DM53 vs add-on.png|left|thumb|346x346px|DM53 round is unable to penetrate the add-on armour.]]

The 2PL is also the first tank in game to be able to withstand more than one hit of CL3143, DM53 and 9M119 to the turret. Previous Leopards (specifically the 2A5 and 2A6 including the Strv 122) can withstand 9M119 to the turret. However, the wedge panels of these tanks are exploded with a single hit, which means the turret is exposed to further enemy fire. This changes with the 2PL. Due to the fact that the armoured add-on package is a permanent part of the tank, it is able to withstand up to 4 9M119 hits and continuous firing of the CL3143 and DM53 at any ranges. Despite this, all of them are able to penetrate the gun mantlet with no issues at all. However, for your enemies it is rather tricky to achieve this since if they are aiming at the turret's front, you can also kill them aswell. Moving to turret's add-on side armour, it is able to withstand all types of HEAT-FS and chemical shells seen in game. However, the armour protection is increased gradually as we move to the turret front. The first section of the side armour (the one covering the smoke launchers) is relatively weak and is able to be penetrated by all ammunitions seen in the battle-rating. The second section (covering the first half of the sides of the crew compartments) is able to withstand all HEAT-FS in game and [[MILAN]] ATGM (meaning is able to withstand up to 580 mm of penetration). The third section of the side armour (covering the second half of the crew compartment) is able to withstand all penetration up to 800 mm of CE (Chemical). When we talk about KE (Kinetic) protection, the side armour offers little to no protection whatsoever, and can be penetrated by nearly all high-caliber weapons at it's battle rating.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || {{Annotation|Composite Armour|35 mm High hardness rolled armor + 520 mm External composite armor with NERA elements + 45 mm Rolled homogeneous armor}} ''Upper Glacis'' 35 mm (53°) || 20 mm ''Top'' 35 mm ''Bottom'' || 20 mm || 20 - 35 mm
|-
| Turret || 35 mm ''Turret front'' 35 mm ''Gun mantlet'' Variable thickness add-on armour || 15 - 35 mm 300 mm Composite Screen Variable thickness add-on armour || 25 mm || 20 mm
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Composite armour !! Front !! Sides
|-
| Hull || '''''Upper+Lower glacis''''' 400 mm ''Kinetic'' 600 mm ''Chemical''|| N/A
|-
|Turret || '''''Turret cheeks''''' 1010 mm ''Kinetic'' 1520 mm ''Chemical'' '''''Gun mantlet (Center)''''' 478 - 615 mm ''Kinetic'' 730- 1400 mm ''Chemical'' '''''Gun mantlet (Outer)''''' 524 - 915 mm ''Kinetic'' 535 - 1520 mm ''Chemical'' || '''''Side armour''''' 260 mm ''Kinetic'' 230 - 600 mm ''Chemical''
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Upper hull and Lower rear hull overlap (10 + 20 mm thick)
* Upper mantlet add-on and Mantlet armour overlap (30 + 400 mm thick)
* Holes in the engine deck are covered by 8 mm of mesh

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}

''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.''

{{tankMobility}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)}}
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)|120 mm Rh120 L/44]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 42 || rowspan="2" | -9°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
|-
! ''Realistic''
| __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| DM12A1 || HEATFS ||480||480||480||480||480||480
|-
| DM11 || HE ||37||37||37||37||37||37
|-
| DM23 || APFSDS ||410||408||401||393||384||376
|-
| DM33 || APFSDS ||481||478||470||461||450||440
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| DM12A1 || HEATFS || 1140 ||13.5||0.05||0.1||2150|| 65° || 72° || 77°
|-
| DM11 || HE ||950||19.0||N/A||0.1||3930|| 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| DM23 || APFSDS ||1640||4.3||N/A
|N/A
|N/A
| 78° || 80° || 81°
|-
| DM33 || APFSDS ||1640||4.3||N/A
|N/A
|N/A|| 78° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''42''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|MG3A1 (7.62 mm)}}
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[MG3A1 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm MG3A1]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
|-
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===

''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Germany medium tanks}}
{{Squadron ground vehicles}}

XM1 (Chrysler)

2021-02-25T16:34:36Z

U92533794: Minor grammatical errors fixed.

{{Specs-Card
|code=us_xm1_chrysler
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]]. The XM-1 (Chrysler) is an Xbox One exclusive vehicle, only available from the [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/war-thunder-xm-1-chrysler/bxntjdjgsk54?activetab=pivot:overviewtab Microsoft store].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

The armour on this vehicle is not very good. Most APFSDS at this rank will have no issue penetrating the armoured zones with ease. In a down-tier, you will be able to soak up some damage when being hit by weaker rounds, but not much.

'''Armour type:'''

* Spaced armour (Hull front)
* Composite armour (Turret front)
* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 50.8 mm (81°), 38.1 mm (81°) ''Upper glacis'' 76.2* mm + 38.1* mm (25°), 31.75 mm (68°) ''Lower glacis'' || 19 mm ''Sponson'' 38.1 mm ''Front'' 27.6 mm ''Rear'' || 31.75 mm (6-56°) || 31.75 mm ''Front'' 25.4 mm ''Sides'' 5 mm ''Engine grilles''
|-
| Turret || 38.2** mm (32°) + 102** mm ''Turret cheeks'' 203 mm (5-58°) ''Gun mantlet'' 38.1 mm (68-81°), 50.8 mm (77°) ''Upper'' 25 mm (78-81°) ''Turret underside'' || 38 mm (36°) ''Left'' 38 mm (35°) ''Right'' || 12.7 mm (40-49°) || 31.75 mm ''Front'' 25.4 mm ''Rear'' 12.7 mm ''Blowout panels''
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
|-
| Cupola || 25.4 mm || 25.4 mm
|-
! Spaced armour* !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 225 mm ''Kinetic'' 155 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A || N/A || N/A
|-
! Composite armour** !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Turret || '''Turret front:''' 240 mm ''Kinetic'' 550 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A || N/A || N/A
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick
* 38 mm RHA plate separates the fighting compartment from the engine
* 38 mm RHA plate between the driver and fuel tanks
* Side skirts are 6.35 mm thick

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=2,357|rbMinHp=1,345}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|M68 (105 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M68 (105 mm)|105 mm M68]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 55 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 34.27 || 47.44 || 57.60 || 63.70 || 67.76 || rowspan="2" | 8.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.70 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 6.70
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 21.42 || 25.20 || 30.60 || 33.84 || 36.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| M728 || APDS || 260 || 258 || 250 || 240 || 231 || 222
|-
| M393A2 || HESH || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127
|-
| M456 || HEATFS || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400
|-
| M735 || APFSDS || 353 || 350 || 342 || 333 || 322 || 312
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| M728 || APDS || 1,426 || 4.65 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 75° || 78° || 80°
|-
| M393A2 || HESH || 732 || 14.85 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 4,310 || 73° || 77° || 80°
|-
| M456 || HEATFS || 1,173 || 10.5 || 0.05 || 1 || 1,270 || 65° || 72° || 77°
|-
| M735 || APFSDS || 1,501 || 3.7 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 76° || 77° || 80°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
|-
! Ammunition
! Velocity (m/s)
! Projectile Mass (kg)
! Screen radius (m)
! Screen deploy time (s)
! Screen hold time (s)
! Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
|-
| M416 || 730 || 11.4 || 20 || 5 || 25 || 50
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''55''' || 53 ''(+2)'' || 48 ''(+7)'' || 25 ''(+30)'' || 1 ''(+54)'' || No
|-
|}

* Rack 4 is a first-stage ammo rack

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|4}}

{{main|M85 (12.7 mm)|M240 (7.62 mm)|M60D (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M85 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M85]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 1,000 (200) || 626 || -9°/+65° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M60D (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M60D]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 1,000 (100) || 651 || -10°/+50° || ±120°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M240 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M240]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 6,000 (200) || 750 || ±6° || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


This vehicle is best used as a support tank and not as a "brawler". Flanking is where this tank succeeds, using its speed and maneuverability to get to the rear or sides of the enemy. Another good tactic is to shoot-and-scoot to maximize the maneuverability and gun over an opponent. This tank can also be used to devastating effect in urban combat. In urban combat, it is advised that you never go alone, stay with or behind friendly tanks, and do not rush forward. If you play an ambush and defensive style of combat, at least at the beginning of the match, it is likely you will be able to get multiple kills/assists and should be able to stop the enemy push. If your team is winning, and the enemy is outnumbered, it may be possible to push forward quickly but cautiously, in order to flank and catch enemies off guard, hopefully securing victory for your team.

The survivability of the XM-1 (Chrysler): The XM-1 has relatively weak armour, but it is oddly survivable. It is somewhat rare to get killed by a single shot when playing the XM-1. Usually, it takes two or more shots to take it out, thanks to the spacey interior, and the blowout ammo racks in the turret. However a single heat-fs hit will render you knocked out of the fight.
Sometimes it takes up to 10 badly aimed or unlucky shots to take out the XM-1, this is especially true for long-range shots. To further increase the survivability odds, use the terrain to cover you, after firing a shot reverse back and pop out again like a jack in a box. The excellent mobility of this fine tank allows for this to achieved, and used well it can turn the tide of a impending defeat to a victory.

Some enemies to be concerned about:

[[T-64B]]: Aim for the drivers hatch if you facing it frontally. If possible, get around its side and hit it dead under the turret, you will blow up its ammo racks this way.

[[Leopard 2A4]], [[Leopard 2A5]] & [[Type 90]] is extremely potent against XM-1's seeing as their speed and mobility is similar but the Leo has a better gun. The 2K, however, lacks sufficient armour to defeat your ammunition so hit the lower front plate or turret with M735.

[[Leopard 2A4]], [[Leopard 2A5]] & [[Type 90]]: The hull and gun mantlets are weak spots and can be penetrated with M735. The Type 90 also has a glaring turret ring that can easily be targeted and penetrated.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very good speed, maneuverability and acceleration
* Very fast turret traverse
* Excellent maneuverability/speed
* Not one, not two, but three secondary machine guns
* Blow out ammo rack prevents an ammo shot from destroying the tank immediately

'''Cons:'''

* Average gun against enemies
* While it has composite armour, it is useless against most weapons it will face
* Gun is sub-par; same APFSDS round (360 mm of penetration point-blank) as on the Type 74 and M60A1 (AOS)
* Front plate is made up of spaced armour, which doesn't provide the protection comparable to composite
* Similar ammo storage to the M1 Abrams, has the same side weak spot (although it is rarely exploited, due to the sub-par armour everywhere else)
* Tracks are very noisy (louder than the engine!)

== History ==


It started in the early 1970s, at the height of the Cold War and the arms race. After the joint German-American project to create the MBT-70 main battle tank was closed, and the new all-American XM803 project was deemed an insufficient and too expensive response to the newest Soviet developments, the US Department of Defense developed a new list of requirements for the future American main battle tank. Two engineering giants joined the contest: the Chrysler and General Motors companies. Both contestants decided to use the developments for the MBT-70 and XM803 to design a new tank. Many corrections and additions were made to the tactical and technical requirements of the American government, first and foremost, on the defensive characteristics of the future main battle tank. The requirements for the tank's armour and survivability increased, along with its maintainability in the field. In addition, the Arab-Israeli conflict showed that a modern tank must have the ability to effectively destroy armoured targets at long distances, including with kinetic shells, and also have a sufficiently large complement of shells. In spite of the changes and additions to the technical specification, the contestants managed to achieve their goals, and by 1976, they presented their developments, the experimental prototypes of the XM-1 tank, for testing. Both vehicles were outwardly very similar, with practically identical dimensions. They were alike in their layouts and used the same 105 mm M68 rifled cannon. Both tanks turned out very well. Which prototype did the military choose, and why?

The XM-1 (GM), the contest model from General Motors, became a further development of ideas and technological solutions for the MBT-70 and XM803 projects, including the diesel powertrain and mixed undercarriage with six roller wheels per side, three with hydraulic suspension and three with torsion bar suspension. The competitor to General Motors, the Chrysler company, used their XM-1 (C) model to present not only a progressive gas-turbine engine but also a new undercarriage with seven independent roller wheels on each side with individual torsion bar suspension. In addition, the Chrysler engineers were able to save funds on constructing the tank by optimizing the components of the aiming equipment and the gun stabilization system. These details played a decisive role in the selection of the contractor to make the XM-1 project a reality. In spite of the fact that numerous flaws and "teething problems" arose during the project, the prototype for the USA's next-generation main battle tank was confirmed. After several cycles of correcting issues and modernizing the prototype XM-1 (C), the first vehicles began to be deployed under the designation M1 Abrams.

''-From [[wt:en/news/5515-development-xm-1-c-and-xm-1-gm-ancestors-of-the-abrams-updated-en|Devblog]]''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=medium_tank&vehicle=us_xm1_chrysler Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:XM-1 (GM) and (C) Comparison.jpeg|thumb|none|300px|Side by side comparison between a [[XM-1 (GM)]] and a {{PAGENAME}}.]] </li>
</ul></div>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|WAV4oXHb5aY|'''Premium Vehicles: XM-1 GM vs Chrysler''' - ''War Thunder Wiki''}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/5515-development-xm-1-c-and-xm-1-gm-ancestors-of-the-abrams-updated-en|[Devblog] XM-1 (C) and XM-1 (GM): Ancestors of the Abrams]]
* [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/war-thunder-xm-1-chrysler/bxntjdjgsk54?activetab=pivot:overviewtab Microsoft Store - XM-1 Chrysler]

{{TankManufacturer Chrysler Defense}}
{{USA medium tanks}}
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}

User:U92533794

2021-02-22T20:25:52Z

U92533794: Updated my user page.

== This is my user page. Hello there! ==
I am just a casual war thunder player and wiki reader. On occasions, I may make small edits, but nothing major. Also, an ordinance is a decree or a direction, ordnance is military ammunition. You would think that people wouldn't confuse the two, but they do.

User:U92533794

2021-02-22T20:23:03Z

U92533794: Created my own user page.

Just a casual war thunder player and wiki reader. On occasions, I may make small edits, but nothing major. Also, an ordinance is a decree or a direction, ordnance is military ammunition.

Ka-52

2021-02-21T23:17:49Z

U92533794: Grammatical fixes and minor sentence re-wording.

{{Specs-Card
|code=ka_52
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet attack helicopter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Heli-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 1,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 315 || 289 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}}
|-
! Upgraded
| 320 || 310
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Heli-Armour}}


*Bullet proof glass covers only the front windscreen of the helicopter - 44 mm thick.
*Aluminium alloy covers only the sides of the helicopter located on each side of the cockpit - 20 mm thick.
*Aluminium alloy covers only the bottom of the self-sealing fuel tanks - 20 mm thick.

The helicopter has four separate fuel tanks, three at the rear of the fuselage and one just behind the cockpit. Engines are placed above the auto-cannon with the fuel tanks, spaced out around it.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Heli-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Heli-Offensive}}

{{main|2A42 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 30 mm 2A42 cannon, right fuselage-mounted (460 rpg)

The 30mm 2A42 cannon can be equipped with mixed belt, belt for air targets or ground targets

* Default belt: ''{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-Piercing Tracer}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-Explosive Fragmentation - Incendiary (self-destroying)}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-Explosive Fragmentation - Incendiary (self-destroying)}}/{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-Piercing Tracer}}/{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-Piercing Tracer}}''; max penetration: 62 mm at 100 metres
* Ground targets belt: ''{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-Piercing Tracer}}/{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot}}/{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot}}/{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot}}/{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot}}''; max penetration: 81 mm at 100 metres
* Air targets belt: ''{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-Explosive Fragmentation - Tracer (self-destroying)}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-Explosive Fragmentation - Incendiary (self-destroying)}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-Explosive Fragmentation - Incendiary (self-destroying)}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-Explosive Fragmentation - Incendiary (self-destroying)}}/{{Annotation|HEF-I|High-Explosive Fragmentation - Incendiary (self-destroying)}}''; max penetration: 3 mm at any distance.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Heli-Suspended}}

{{main|OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|GSh-23-2 (23 mm)}}
{{main|9K127 Vikhr|9M39 Igla|9M120M Ataka|S-8KO|S-13DF}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 20 x S-13DF rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 80 x S-8KO rockets
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 20 x S-13DF rockets
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 4 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
* 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 10 x S-13DF rockets
* 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 10 x S-13DF rockets
* 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
* 12 x 9M120M Ataka missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
* 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 40 x S-8KO rockets
* 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
* 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 2 x 23 mm GSh-23-2 cannons
* 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 10 x S-13DF rockets
* 12 x 9K127 Vikhr missiles + 4 x 9M39 Igla missiles + 10 x S-13DF rockets

=== Defensive systems ===

The Ka-52 has a HIRSS - hover infrared suppressor subsystem, a MAW - Missile Approach Warning system and 128 Flares

* 128 Flares are installed on tips of the wings, in those two pods.
* The HIRSS is a shield that hides the heat from the exhaust, reducing the possibility of successfully locking on with a Heat-seeking missile.
* The Missile Approach Warning (MAW) detects the incoming missile and notifies you about them as well deploying the flares automatically.

== Usage in battles ==



The KA-52 is a true demonic gladiator of the sky, when it comes to helicopters, it excel's in any type of combat scenario. It can be equipped with a combination of rockets, bombs and missiles, it has 24 different armament loadouts. The KA-52, excels at air-to-air & air-to-ground combat. It's two almighty Kilmov TV3-117VMA, each providing 2350 BHP, 210 KGF of thrust - makes this 10,400 kg elephant dance in the sky, like a ballerina dancing on a cloud.

The KA-52 has a 25% more wing capability, which mean's each wing can carry 25% more wing mounted ordnance compared to any other helicopter in the game. The Ka-52 has six wing hard points, which totals three hard points on each wing.

===Air to Air===
====Ka-52 Vs. Helicopters====

The Ka-52 in helicopter to helicopter combat requires, tactics and understanding of the enemy helicopters which it can encounter in battle. If no tactics are used, the KA-52 will become a RP & SL Piñata for the enemy team.

'''Using the [[2A42_(30_mm)|2A42 Auto-cannon:]]'''

A Ka-52 can dominate the sky, if played well. A Ka-52 is still equipped with it's legendary '''''[[2A42_(30_mm)|2A42 Auto-cannon]]''''' the same cannon installed on the '''''[[Ka-50]]''''' and '''''[[BMP-2|BMP-2's]].'''''  This auto-cannon is able to fire the same type of ammunition as fired on the '''''[[BMP-2]]'''''. The '''''[[2A42_(30_mm)|2A42 Auto-cannon]]''''' is able to destroy, pillboxes, tanks, helicopters and jets with ease.

It's very important to keep the speed high, which in turn which increase the agility. The KA-52 can achieve this easily, just point the noise of the helicopter towards the enemy unit. However, make sure to adjust for the location of the auto-cannon, it is not mounted below or on the wings but instead on the right hand side of the fuselage. The '''''[[2A42_(30_mm)|2A42 Auto-cannon]]''''' only has a limited traverse of 30 degrees and not a full traverse as on the previous line of [[Mi-24_(Family)|Mi-24's.]]

Since the KA-52 only has 460 rounds of ammunition, if you want to get the best bullet-to-kill ratio, see below.

Always aim for the critical elements of the enemy helicopter which are:

#The Flight deck
#The Engine
#The Tail/Tail Rotor

*This is important because it allows ammunition to be conserved which in turn allows for more enemies to be knocked out and more RP & SL to be earned during the game.

'''Using the ATGM & air-to-air missiles to terminate enemy helicopters'''

At first when unlocking the iconic, lethal & legendary '''''[[9K127_Vikhr|9k121 Vikhr missiles]]''''' which have made the '''''[[Ka-50]]''''' a prominent & terrifying experience to be fighting against. '''''[[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka Bean riding missiles]]''''' are used before, these are the same missiles which are used on the '<nowiki/>'''''[[Mi-35M]]'''''' and '''''[[Mi-28N]]''''' offer up to 950mm penetration .

To get the best chance of having them hit the target, position the Ka-52 well, keep enough space in the gunner's field of view rectangle for any adjustments which may have to be made. Unlike the '''''[[Ka-50]]''''', the Ka-52 has a smaller rectangle which makes for tracking the target alot harder if it is moving. This will require the Ka-52 to be adjusted in flight, which can cause the missiles to overshoot or miss due to the corrective actions.

'''Using the [[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka missiles:]]'''

The '''''[[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka missiles]]''''' travel at 550 meters a second, they are not as fast nor do they have a proximity fuse as the '''''[[9K127_Vikhr|9k121 vikhr missiles:]]'''''. The '''''[[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka missiles]]''''' requires a direct hit on the enemy, it is best to manoeuvre the KA-52 into a position where the enemy helicopter is fully exposed and as close as possible around 5 to 8 Km. Make sure it is the middle of the gunner's field of view rectangle for the tracking to follow it, when it has been fired.

A main challenge of using the '''''[[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka missile]]:''''' is, if the helicopter has been engaged head-on at distance, the enemy player only has to dodge it. This exposes your position and allows the enemy to fire back at you, possibly knocking you out of the match. Unlike the '''[[9K127_Vikhr|9k121 vikhr missiles]]''' which have a proximity fuse.

'''Using the [[9K127_Vikhr|9k121 vikhr missiles:]]'''

The lethal & legendary '''''[[9K127_Vikhr|9k121 vikhr missiles]]''''' only needs to be in proximity to an enemy helicopter unlike the '''''[[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka missiles]]''''' which must hit the target, for it to terminate it. When using a '''''[[9K127_Vikhr|9k121 vikhr missile]]''''' it is possible to lock them on, lock them on and manually control it, adjusting it for any correction or evasion tactics which are in play, to hit the target. Finally manually controlling it without locking on to the enemy vehicle, which would provide no warning to them allowing them to be unaware of it, until it is to late.

Unlike the challenge with '''''[[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka missile]]''''' the '''''[[9K127_Vikhr|9k121 vikhr missiles]]''''' are able to knock enemy helicopters out from the front even if they try to evade, as-long as it is close to them, it will explode either causing them to explode or scoring a critical hit.

'''Using the [[9M39_Igla|9M39 Igla missiles:]]'''

The Ka-52 carries up to four '''''[[9M39_Igla|9M39 Igla missiles,]]''''' on top of it's 12 '''''[[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka missile]]''''' or '''''[[9M120M_Ataka|9M120M Ataka missiles]]''''' payloads. Each '''''[[9M39_Igla|9M39 Igla missiles]]''''' is able to destroy one enemy helicopter with ease. The '''''[[9M39_Igla|9M39 Igla missiles]]''''' are one of the fastest and most lethal air-to-air missiles in this game, it's top speed of mach 1.7 and a max range of 5 Km, with ECCM. It is able to down any enemy helicopter which it encounters, if the rival is a skilled a player and uses flares. It could miss. The best postilion, to launch the '''''[[9M39_Igla|9M39 Igla missile]]''''' is either when they have exposed their broadside or from the rear. It is possible to fire it head-on, but if they use flares it will reduce the odds of it hitting in this combat scenario.

====Ka-52 Vs. Fighters====

A Ka-52 is equipped with up to four '''''[[9M39_Igla|9M39 Igla missiles,]]''''' these are able to destroy any enemy air contact. whether that be fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft. The ideal firing solution is to have the enemy aircraft approaching you head-on. This allows the Ka-52 to quickly lock the target, once fired to see that aircraft going down on fire towards the deck. If the enemy has fired, the enemy missile can be evaded easily.

If an enemy aircraft has locked on and has fired on you, fire flares and descend the Ka-52 rapidly to the deck and pull up sharply. Once you have pulled up, lock on to the enemy aircraft and fire. The '''''[[9M39_Igla|9M39 Igla missile]]''''' will track and destroy it. In the event that the enemy aircraft evades it, the aircraft will either break-off the attack and find a new target. Or it will come back around and try again, employ the same tactics, you have up to four '''''[[9M39_Igla|9M39 Igla missiles]]'''''.

===Air to Ground===

====Ka-52 Vs. SPAA====

=====Engaging at long range:=====
The first target, which should be knocked out is the enemy SPAA, switch to thermals and profile the enemy vehicles for any SPAA. When located, fire one of your ATGM's and glide it on target until it hit's and destroys it.

=====Defeating/Evading the missile:=====
The enemy SPAA, has spotted and fired on you, deploy flairs and drop to the deck fly 20 meters above the ground, and the enemy missiles which have just been fired, will be unable to use the proximity fuse to knock you out.

=====Engaging at close range:=====
Using the autocannon, a few well placed shots, in the turret of the SPAA will destroy it.
Using the rockets from the rocket pods, a couple of hits will knock it out. However, a single well placed hit to the turret will knock it out in one blow.

====Ka-52 Vs. Tanks====
Engaging tanks, if engaging from the front it is best to assume that you will need to fire two ATGM's to knock it out - since the ERA plates and armour will reduce the explosive energy of your missiles. However, if the enemy tank is being engaged from the side, a single well place shot just in front of the engine and behind the turret will see it exploding like a magical firework on the legendary St. Petersburg victory day celebration.

Additionally the autocannon, is able to destroy the enemy tankers too! To best utilise this, approach from the rear, line up with the engine deck of the tank and set it on fire, that will force them to stop. However, do not leave them or stop firing, instead fly around them in a circle with the autocannon firing, aim for the roof of the turret, the rounds will be able to penetrate it and knock out the crew.
=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Highly agile, a true multi-role helicopter.
* Good level of armour protection around the flight deck.
* Very fast up to 320 km/h Vs. '''''[[AH-64D| AH-64D Apache 295 km/h]]'''''
* Is able to carry the lethal '''''[[9K127_Vikhr|9K127 Vikhr missiles]].'''''
* Six hard points. Thus allowing for 25% more weapons per wing to be carried over any other helicopter.
* Has the same auto cannon as found on the '''''[[BMP-2]].'''''
* 30 mm cannon with AP belt can penetrate up to 82mm of armour, meaning it can go through the roofs of most vehicles.

'''Cons:'''

* Small area for locking on with the Air to Air missiles.
* Small area for the gunner field of view, compared to '''''[[Ka-50|KA-50 Black Shark]].'''''
* Auto cannon is mounted on the right-hand side of the helicopter.
* Limited auto cannon firing arcs - Horizontal and Vertical angles.

== History ==


''Design Basis:'' [[Ka-50#History|Ka-50]]

'''Development'''

While the V-80 prototype (which would later become the Ka-50 "Black Shark") and Mi-28 attack helicopters were going through comparative tests, an idea for a dedicated battlefield reconnaissance and target designation helicopter was raised by the Kamov design team. Because of the Soviet economic downturn of the 1980's, it was decided to base the new helicopter on the Ka-50 attack helicopter. The new reconnaissance and target designation equipment required the addition of a second crew member, who would operate the new systems. A side-by-side seating arrangement was chosen in order to facilitate co-operation of the two crew members. This new helicopter was designated as the Ka-52 and it was given the name "Alligator".

'''Design'''

The Ka-52 features two radar antennas, rather than one like on the Ka-50. One is mounted in the nose - for ground targets - and one is mounted on a mast - for aerial targets. It also has two TV sighting systems; one under the nose and one above the cockpit. The Ka-52 has the same side-mounted cannons as on the Ka-50. It has six wing hardpoints, two more than the Ka-50. To reduce weight, the Ka-52s armor and cannon ammunition was reduced. Despite these measures, some performance was lost. To rectify this issue, the VK-2500 powerplant was fitted. The Ka-52 is approved for day, night, and adverse weather conditions.

'''Production and Testing'''

Construction of the first Ka-52 airframe began in 1996. Phase 1 of the testing was completed in December 2008, and phase 2 was authorized soon after. By the end of 2008, serial production had begun at the Progress Arsenyev Aviation Company plant in Arsenyev, Primorsky Krai. In 2010, eight Ka-52 helicopters were operated by the 696th Instructor and Research Helicopter Regiment, based at Torzhok Air Base. The eight helicopters were in varying states of capability and were used for testing purposes. Four more Ka-52 helicopters were delivered to the 44th Centre for Combat Training and Aircrew Conversion in December of 2010.

The Ka-52 entered service in May 2011 after completing all of the state trials; the first operational units received their Ka-52s in the same month. The first production contract was for 2 experimental Ka-52s and 24 serial Ka-52s by 2012. In 2011 the second contract was signed, worth 120 million rubles, for 146 Ka-52 helicopters by 2020. In February 2018, the Russian Defense Ministry expressed its desire to purchase 114 new Ka-52s for the State Armament Program for 2018–2027.

'''Service'''

The only major operational usage of the Ka-52 "Alligator" was during the Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War (2015). They were claimed to be used in the defense of the Russian base in Latakia. They were also used to escort search and rescue helicopters and to support Russian special forces. Theye were spotted for the first time near the town of Al-Qaryatayn, which had been recaptured from ISIS in April 2016. They were also used in the 2017 Palmyra offensive. Ka-52s took part in a Syrian paratrooper reconnaissance-strike mission on 12 August 2017.

According to some sources, a Ka-52 crashed near Mayadin due to a technical failure on 5 May 2018.

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|_mhSXtNN9Ko|'''The Shooting Range #200''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 01:04 discusses the Ka-52.}}

== See also ==


* [[Ka-50]] - The Soviet attack helicopter used as the basis for the Ka-52.
* [[AH-64D]] - An American attack helicopter at the same BR.
* [[EC-665 Tiger UHT]] - A German attack helicopter at the same BR.
* [[AH Mk.1]] - A British attack helicopter at the same BR.
* [[EC-665 Tiger HAD]] - A French attack helicopter at the same BR.

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Kamov_Ka-50#Ka-52_%22Alligator%22|[Wikipedia] Ka-52 "Alligator"]]
* [https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/ka52-alligator-attack-helicopter-russia/ <nowiki>[Air Force Technology]</nowiki> Ka-52 Alligator Attack Helicopter]
* [https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/kamovka52alligatorhe/ <nowiki>[Naval Technology]</nowiki> Kamov Ka-52 Alligator Helicopter]
* [http://www.military-today.com/helicopters/ka52_hokum_b.htm <nowiki>[Military-Today]</nowiki> Kamov Ka-52]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=1333 <nowiki>[MilitaryFactory]</nowiki> Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B)]

{{AirManufacturer Kamov}}
{{USSR helicopters}}

SPAA radars

2021-02-21T20:01:30Z

U92533794: Made slight grammatical fixes.

{{DISPLAYTITLE: SPAA Radar & Sensor Systems}}


War Thunder [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]] introduced mechanics for radars and other sensors. The new mechanics replaced an "arcade-style" lead indicator previously present, and a greater number of aircraft and SPAA vehicles which were historically equipped with radars gained access to the new features allowing for a more in-depth, realistic and a historic feel when playing them.

Prior to this update, SPAAs equipped with radars were able to use an Arcade battles style lead indicator in Realistic and Simulator battle modes. After [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]], the arcade-style lead indicator was removed. SPAA vehicles are now equipped with various radars and other sensor systems which provide the ability to detect and/or track aircraft. Vehicles with this capability have a radar display visible as part of the in-game interface, the location of detected air targets is displayed on this interface. In addition for vehicles equipped with tracking systems the player may lock onto targets, this proves an accurate range and relative velocity information about the target and, when the target is close enough, an accurate lead indicator.

Although such systems provide SPAA players with distinct battlefield advantages, many come with risks to their use. A number of modern aircraft are equipped with Radar Warning Receivers (RWRs), which are capable of detecting radar emissions from SPAAs and alerting the pilot to their position.

With the release of [[Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy"]], the functionality of radars and other sensors was changed. Tracking errors were added, meaning that lead indicators are less accurate at longer ranges and aircraft flying at low altitudes (less than 100 m from terrain) became harder to track. Although less effective than previously, radars are still a very useful tool to have.

==Ground radar / sensors controls==
Below is a table showing all the key-bindings associated with the use of radars and other sensors on ground vehicles. It is recommended to change the default key bindings to make radar systems easier to use.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="3" | Radar / Sensor Controls
|-
! Control name
! Default Keybind (PC keyboard & mouse)
! Description
|-
| Switch radar search on / off || Alt + R || Turns the vehicle's search radar (or other types of search sensor) on or off.
|-
| Change radar mode || Unbound || Unknown
|-
| Change radar search mode || Unbound || Toggles between the radars search modes e.g. sector scan or 360° scan (see radar pages for scan modes supported)
|-
| Change radar scope scale || Unbound || Changes the range scale of the radar display
|-
| Select radar target to lock on || Alt + T || Selects which target on the display to lock on to
|-
| Lock radar target on || Alt + F || Locks onto the selected or nearest target on radar display. In sniper/gunner view: Force '''tracking''' sensor sweep and attempt to lock on the target in the crosshairs with it, or onto the first aircraft the tracker detects.
|-
| Switch radar indicator type || Unbound || Switches between a Plan Position Indicator (PPI) radar display and a B-Scope radar display
|-
|}

{{Notice| Despite being on the same button, locking on with search sensor and tracking sensor '''is not''' the same thing - even if your search radar cannot track something, maybe your tracking radar can. Practice your radar controls in test drive before going on the field.}}

{{Notice| Your radars can be damaged and also repaired like any module. Any radar is automatically shut off when being repaired and once usable again, '''you need to switch it back on''' using ALT + R.}}

==Radars and Sensors User Interface==
This section will cover the general user interface for ground vehicles with radars and sensors; some sensors have slight differences in their interfaces which will be covered in their own subsection. For the images in this section, a [[Gepard]] is used. All SPAA vehicles with radars and other sensors gain a radar display and compass on their HUD.

===Radar Display===
[[File:Ground_Radars_General.png|300px|thumb|right|A general depiction of the radar display. The default PPI display is at the top with the B-Scope display shown below.]]

There are two types of radar display (see image to the right) which the player can choose from. The default display is a Plan Position Indicator (PPI) display; by pressing the "Switch radar indicator type" key the player can change this to a B-Scope display if they wish.

The PPI is a circular display showing a top-down representation of the airspace around the player's vehicle; the display is a "North Up" format meaning that north is always at the top of the display.

The player's vehicle is located in the centre of the display and a line indicates what direction the turret is facing. If the search radar/sensor is turned on (evident by the presence of a lightning bolt above the display) then a line will appear, moving around the display, representing where the sensor is pointing. There are also pale lines extending from the centre of the display to the edge, these are spaced apart at 30°, and along with the bearing markers on the radar display and compass allow you to work out in which direction a target is located. There are also 4 rings (including the outside edge of the display) within the display, these are evenly spaced and allow you to work out how far away a detected target is (divide the range setting by four to get the distance between rings). If the vehicle has a tracking system then a darker region will be present indicating the area within which targets can be tracked (the area will usually move with the movement of the tank's turret).

The B-Scope is a rectangular display proving a 2D top-down representation of space. The player's vehicle is located at the bottom of the display. The horizontal axis shows what azimuth the target is from the player, and the vertical axis shows distance. North is locked in the middle of the display with -180° in azimuth shown on the left-hand side of the display, and +180 in azimuth shown on the right-hand side of the display. A vertical line represents the direction the turret is facing, and a thicker line represents the sweep of the scanner (when it is turned on). Again there are four range lines which can be used to work out how far away radar targets are. The tracking area is displayed as a darkened box on the display.

====Radar Target Types====
[[File:Radar_Target_Types.png|800px|thumb|left|The different types of targets which can be present on the radar display. Fast moving targets will be represented by a line instead of a dot, but designations will remain same.]]
{{break}}
There are different types of targets which can appear on the radar display, these are shown above. When a target is detected by a search radar (or another type of search sensor) it will most often show up on the radar display as a normal radar target (left-most example in image). If the vehicle's search system is equipped with an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system then targets which are on your team will be displayed with a line under them (right-most example), if an IFF system is not present then all targets will be displayed as normal targets on the radar display.

One of the targets within the vehicle's tracking area on the display will be chosen as the selected target and displayed with a vertical bar on each side of it. The selected target is the one which will be locked on to when the "Lock radar target on" button is pressed. The selected target can be changed to another one within the lock-on-area by pressing the "Select radar target to lock on" key. Targets which have been locked on to are displayed with a solid square around them.

===Compass and Tracked Targets===
[[File:Radar compass and tracking.jpg|500x500px|thumb|right|The interface for the compass and a tracked target]]
In addition to a radar display SPAA vehicles also have a compass present on the HUD, located at the top of the screen. This compass shows what direction the turret is pointing in degrees (0° is due north). Targets which are detected will also be displayed on the compass as triangles. If a target is locked then a solid box appears around its triangle.

When a target is locked onto a box will appear around it. Next, to the box, the distance between the target and the player's vehicle, as well as its speed relative to the player's vehicle will be displayed. Once the target closes to a suitable range an accurate firing indicator will appear.

If the lock on a target is lost for any reason then the tracking square around the target will drift and start flashing to show that it has been lost, after a few seconds it will disappear.

When a target is tracked, the turret will receive the targeting information feed and use it to adjust ammunition self-destruction fuse delays as well as follow the target automatically. When this happens the targeting reticle which appears has a high level of accuracy, as long as the target maintains speed and bearing and does not dramatically alter its speed, course or direction.

==SPAA Sensor Types==

The sensor systems in War Thunder can be categorised into Active Radar systems and Passive Systems. Active radar systems work by transmitting radio waves at a target and detecting those which bounce back, while passive systems use a variety of techniques to allow them to carry out their job passively (i.e. without emitting anything).

Sensor systems also differ in roles, either falling into the category of search systems or tracking systems. When activated search systems will scan the area around the SPAA and display any targets they detect on the radar display and compass. Tracking systems do not detect targets; instead, they lock on to a single target and provide information about it, as well as a firing lead indicator. Most SPAAs have both a search and tracking system allowing them to detect targets and then lock onto them. Some SPAAs however only have tracking systems; in this case, the user must manually place the crosshairs over a visible target to lock the radar onto it. It is possible for vehicles to have a mix of sensor systems. For example the [[ADATS]] has a search radar and an infrared tracking system.

===Active Radar===

Active radar systems are by far the most common type of SPAA sensor; they work by transmitting radio waves at a target and detecting those which bounce back. They come with the disadvantage that these radio waves can be detected by Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) fitted to some aircraft, alerting the aircraft to the SPAA's location. Radar systems also have the disadvantage of suffering ground clutter (false returns from the ground making it harder to detect targets), the multipath effect (an effect where the tracking box appears below low flying aircraft instead of over it), and tracking inaccuracies.

{{Notice|Trees are half-transparent for radars. Radar distance shortens for every tree in its scan direction.|!}}

When the radar is in search mode and does not have a lock on a target, it will scan the area around the vehicle, either through a full 360° or within a limited sector. The current direction of the scanner is represented by a moving line on the radar display (usually thicker than the turret heading line). Targets can only be detected by the radar when it is pointing straight at them, and so a target's position will only be updated as the scanner sweep line passes over it. Be aware, that small planes are harder to detect due to their small profile and obstacles such as trees and hills will obscure radar's field of view, preventing detection or tracking of objects on the other side of them. Even if the search radar is offline or fails to spot a target it is usually still possible to manually position the crosshairs over a target and press the "Lock radar target on" key.

{{Notice|Radars cannot detect or track targets which have a relative speed which is too low|!}}
Another important consideration with radars is that they are incapable of detecting or tracking targets with a low relative speed. The relative speed is not the true speed which the target is actually moving; it is the speed which it is moving relative to the radar. If a target is flying in a circle around the player, moving at a speed near that of the rotation of the radar, then it is possible for their relative speed to drop to a point where it is too low to track/detect.

Radars also have a minimum range, below which they cannot detect or track targets. See individual radar pages for the minimum range and speed characteristics of each radar.

{{Notice|Different radars have different characteristics, a target detectable by a vehicle's search radar may not be visible to its tracking radar and vice versa.}}

If the search radar has detected a target within the radar's locking area (darker area of the radar display) on of the targets in that area will be marked as selected (two vertical lines around it), a lock can be acquired on the selected target by pressing the "Lock radar target on" key. The selected target can be changed by pressing the "Select radar target to lock on" key if a target has been detected in the area but cannot be selected it means it is visible to the search radar but not the tracking radar. When a selected target is locked on to the guns will automatically move to point at it, regardless of where they were pointing previously. Multiple targets (even allied aircraft) close together within the field of the tracking radar can confuse the tracking radar and cause tracking problems, including the loss of a target lock, or the lock transitioning to another aircraft. In the event of multiple aircraft in the search area, it is recommended to switch to gunner view and manually attack targets to ensure not accidentally shooting down any friendly aircraft.

{{Notice|The darker area on the display is the area within which targets can initially be locked on to. Once locked on some radars can track a target even outside of this area.}}

Once a solid lock is achieved, the only concern now is preventing your opponent from dodging the incoming volley of ammunition. For this reason, conservation of ammunition is important and the gunner should not waste ammo firing in long continuous bursts in the same direction if your SPAA's accuracy is adequate.

[[File:Radar_shot_marksman.jpg|none|thumb|500x400px|Enemy plane suffered a serious hit. Even if they somehow escape the rest of the volley, they're out of fighting capability and may crash soon.]]

====Combined Search / Track Radars (TWS - Track While Scan)====
[[File:Radar_Without_TWS.png|300px|thumb|right|A radar without TWS, notice how all other targets are removed from the display when a target is locked.]]
Most SPAA vehicles operate two separate radars or sensors, one for searching and one for tracking. Some vehicles, however, operate a single combined search and tracking radar. These systems operate much the same as regular radars, however, nearly all of them lack Track While Scan (TWS) capability. As a result, when you lock onto a target with such radar, you lose search functionality and cannot see any targets other than the one you are tracking. By comparison, vehicles using a separate search and tracking radar are able to still use their search radar while the tracking radar is active.

====Radar Range Finders====

In real life radar range finding systems were used as a simpler way of proving radar tracking like capability. Rangefinders work by calculating the distance between two objects. There are two main components of a radio rangefinder are the transmitter unit and the receiver unit. The transmitter's job is to transmit a signal, usually, several hundred times a second and then wait. If an object such as an aircraft is hit by the transmitted signals from the rangefinder they will bounce off of the aircraft and reflect back to the SPAA to be received by the receiver.

The rangefinder's processing unit will calculate the time between when the signal was transmitted and received and use it to calculate the distance to the target. The more often the transmitters transmit, the more reflections are received giving the rangefinder an up-to-date distance to the moving aircraft. With this data, the SPAA can set fuses for self-destroying ammo causing it to automatically explode near to where the tracked aircraft is showing to be, not requiring a direct hit, but close enough to cause damage through exploding shells. The range of information can also be used to calculate a firing lead indicator.

In-game radar range finders work like tracking radars, however vehicles equipped with them have no search radar, to the target must be manually identified and locked.
[[File:Rangefinder radar display.jpg|none|thumb|How radar display looks with rangefinder only. There will be no searching going on, and no passive scanning.]]

To use the radar rangefinder substitute, you have to go to gunner (sniper) sight and direct the targeting crosshairs onto the target enemy aircraft, then press the "Lock radar target on" key.

As a result, lock-on will occur:
[[File:M163 radio lock-on.JPG|none|thumb|500x500px|M163 locked on. Always make sure trees do not obscure the gunner's view.]]

All that is left is to aim the true targeting reticle and open fire on the enemy aircraft.

The above information is also true for vehicles such as the [[SIDAM 25]] which use an optronic tracking system, without search functionality.

{{Notice|Although the SIDAM 25's tracker can track targets in an elevation range of -20°/+85° once locked on, it can only initially lock on to targets between -20°/+20° in elevation.}}

====Sector Scan Radar Mode====
Some search radars support sector scanning as well as 360°. The scan mode can be changed by pressing the "Change radar search mode" key. In Sector scanning mode the radar moves back and forth, scanning a sector between two angles. The scanning sector is relative to the front of the turret, so if the turret moves the sector covered by the radar moves also.
[[File:Sector view radar.jpg|none|thumb|300px|Sector view radar. In case of these radars, the system only actively looks for an enemy in a small sector in front of your turret (represented by dark green field).]]

====Line of Sight Scan Radar Mode====
Some radars also support Line of Sight searching, again this can be selected by pressing the "Change radar search mode" key. This mode will stop the radar dish from spinning and lock it facing the front of the turret. In this mode the radar is only scanning a very narrow sector dead in front of the turret, so you need to point straight at aircraft in order to detect them. Since the radar is static in this mode, it is advisable to move the turret a bit, just in case if the plane took a bit different route to where you think it is. You also should note, that smaller planes that fly near to ground are harder to detect, and even this trick might not work on them.

===Passive Infrared and Optronic Systems===

{{Notice|As of Update "Raining Fire", no SPAA in the game have full passive tracking radar and missile guidance. All missile launches will trigger a helicopter's Laser Warning System.}}

After a certain point, air forces realised the danger of radars to their ranks and started using specific radar-seeking missiles, which were able to automatically detect and guide straight onto radars and destroy them.

As a way to avoid this new threat entirely, passive systems which were capable of detecting and tracking aircraft without emitting radar were developed.

One method known as optronic tracking uses a powerful camera controlled by the gunner. The gunner manually identifies the target and locks into it, a computer then uses the video feed of a target to track it and provide a firing lead indicator.

Other method uses infrared sensors to detect the infrared energy emitted from aircraft in order to detect and track them.

These systems tend to have a short-range by Radar standard but are capable of doing the job while being unnoticed by anti-radar detectors.

====Using Passive Infrared Systems====
[[File:Passive_IR_Search_System_UI.png|300px|thumb|right|The interface for Passive IR search, notice how all targets are marked at a fixed range, with only azimuth different.]]
The user interface for passive infrared systems feels about the same as radar. The most noticeable difference at first glance is that power symbol is replaced by letters "IRST". However another difference soon becomes more apparent: infrared '''search''' systems are incapable of telling the range to a target, as such all targets are displayed at the same range around the edge of the display, with only the azimuth being different between them. This is compensated by ability of system to tell if target is hostile or not.

{{Notice|Trees are non transparent for optical sights and guiding devices, such as ADATS tracker or Stormer SPAAGs. Try to not choose positions next to a forest, if possible.|!}}

While this is a serious downgrade, it starts making sense when you actually try to lock on and observe the way IRST targeting sensors work.

Generally, due to low range of infrared tracking systems they are used on vehicles equipped with Anti-Air missiles, which can compensate for the system weaknesses. Overall, infrared tracking does seem to be slightly less accurate and reliable than radar tracking, and heavily relies on optical tracking from sniper seat. For this reason, these kinds of systems require a higher level of "targeting" on crew gunner for better turret tracking and high coordination of the player, as you have to guide very sensitive missiles towards the target as precisely as you can.

{{Notice|The [[Stormer HVM]] has no guns, so there is no lead indicator for this vehicle. The [[ADATS]] does have a lead indicator for its infrared Tracker.}}

[[File:Stormer HMV passive system lock on.jpg|none|thumb|500x400px]]

As could be seen on screenshot above, in full IRST mode sniper crosshair tries to imitate the drag of missile as it tracks the aircraft, by keeping sniper crosshairs on plane you can guide your missile towards an aircraft. Keeping an actual missile on target is more important, however, as system accuracy is generally far from stellar.

Do note, that a plane approaching at a sharp angle will mess with turret automatic guidance, due to it passing by too fast. It is also worth remembering, that SPAA, which rely purely on IRST, have huge gaps in optical zooms, and maximum zoom '''does not equal best missile tracking'''.

[[File:Stormer HVM hit with weird lock-on data.jpg|none|thumb|500x400px]]

As example, Stormer HVM has 10-40X optics, which can be manually adgusted during AA duty, but simply hitting "maximum zoom" will probably result in a miss. Since it is extremely inconvenient to toggle zoom level every time, one can remain in sniper seat and use radar display to lock-on to targets around - spin the turret in direction of your next target on display and try to lock on, the targeting device will do the rest.

==Sensor guidance errors==

While in-game lock-on ballistic calculations are absolute and are always correct, since [[update 1.89]] the guidance error can happen. If you will not pay attention to those, your volley may miss entirely.

===Unstable lock-on===

The more things there are in between of SPAA and plane and the closer the tracking sensor is to its limits, the more lock-on scope "shakes". Eventually, it may start going all over the place and even detach from aircraft. This makes radar-guided reticle less than absolutely accurate and may decrease timing accuracy of proximity fuse shells.

[[File:Sensor error - unstable lock sniper.jpg|thumb|left|As clearly seen here, there is no way sniper would know that the scope is detached from plane, and the error is actually quite big for a 35 mm gun]]

{{break}}

This error is the most dangerous when you fire while using sniper scope, as it's often hard to see both the aircraft and ballistic solution reticle at the same time, so you may not even notice it for a while.

Ingame, the ballistic solution is usually still correct, but your sensor thinks, that aircraft is located in another spot, thus giving you an incorrect firing angle. To counter this error, look how far and in which direction the lock-on square is separated from the actual aircraft and adjust your aim at "true aiming reticle" in opposite direction, firing to where the enemy plane would actually be.

[[File:Sensor error - counter unstable lock.jpg|thumb|left|Shift gun around the reticle to compensate for wobbly radar lock indicator. Note, that the worse lock becomes, the more scope moves around.]]

{{break}}

To avoid getting this error at all, it is better to stay in high and open spot and track at range and angle comfortable for your tracking device, but it makes you more vulnerable to enemy fire, and many hostile aircrafts can attack you back while being well outside of your comfort zone, so it is safer to just get used to it.

===Multipath (Ground echo)===

If hostile aircraft is flying very low (~100 m away from the ground), the ground will start jamming radar-based signal with similar signature echo, bringing the "lock-on" tracker down to the ground.

This error is very confusing, so being prepared is the key. To counter the error, keep your distance and aim where your radar says to, but adjust the height to one at which the plane is flying manually. Resist any attempts of the turret to follow the reticle under the ground. In case of 10.0 SAM you may fire missile at aircraft directly and hope it can intercept plane in time.

[[File:Sensor error - ground echo.JPG|thumb|left|ADATS intercepts low flying jet. Since it's missile is extremely fast, it ignores gun reticle and just tries to hit plane with proximity missile, but it technically could fire gun and still hit a target.]]

{{break}}

==Drawbacks of Using the Radar==

Certain helicopters have a radar detection system, and as such, whenever the radar waves from your vehicle’s radar "hit" them, they see radar alerts. These alerts appear in the form of a lighting symbol appearing on their own "counter radar" display, to indicate roughly what direction a radar is in. The more sophisticated "counter-radar" is, the better it is at telling what is searching for the helicopter, where from and so on. Most versions of it also trigger sound alert, when radar starts actively tracking them, so if your tracking device is also a radar, they '''will''' know you are about to shoot them down.


Here is an example of what happens, when you got noticed by a helicopter:
[[File:Radar detection ATGM helicopter.jpg|none|thumb]]

Certain helicopters and planes may have no problems with carpet-bombing your position with rockets, just to make sure you aren't going to fire at them ever again. To avoid being bombed like this, you can turn the radar off when you don't need it. This will shut down radar search, but you can usually still lock on to targets (As already mentioned, be aware, that your tracking device may use radar technology as well, and by themselves can still trigger radar warnings). Certain SPAAs also fold their radar behind them, making their profile much smaller and harder to notice by tanks around them.

Vehicles operating passive systems are immune to detection by Radar Warning Receivers.

==SPAAs Which Have Radars and Other Sensors==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | SPAA vehicles with radars or other sensor systems
|-
! Vehicle Name
! Search System
! Tracking System
! Comments
|-
| [[M163]] || None || [[AN/VPS-2]] (Radar Rangefinder) || Only has a radar rangefinder mounted on the side of the turret, it cannot be folded.
|-
| [[M247]] || AN/APG-66 (Search Radar) || [[Albis]] (Tracking Radar) || Both radars can be folded. Uses [[Albis]] as generic tracking radar.
|-
| [[ADATS]] || ADATS Search (Search Radar) || ADATS Track (Passive Infrared Tracker) || Search radar can fold. Missiles are beam-riding and locks trigger LWS (Laser Warning System) on helicopters.
|-
| [[Gepard]] || [[MPDR 12]] (Search Radar) || [[Albis]] (Tracking Radar) || Search radar can fold.
|-
| [[FlaRakPz 1]] || Roland Search (Search Radar) || Roland Track (Tracking Radar) || Only the tracking radar can fold.
|-
|[[FlaRakRad]] || Roland Search (Search Radar) || Roland Track (Tracking Radar) || Only the tracking radar can fold.
|-
| [[ZSU-23-4]] || [[1RL33]] (Search Radar) || [[1RL33]] (Tracking Radar) || Radar can be folded. Combined search and track radar without TWS capability.
|-
|[[ZSU-37-2]] || (Search Radar) || (Tracking Radar) || Radar cannot be folded. Combined search and track radar without TWS capability.
|-
| [[ZPRK 2S6]] || [[1RL144]] (Search Radar) || [[1RL144]] (Tracking Radar) || Search radar can be folded. Combined search and track radar with TWS capability.
|-
| [[Chieftain Marksman]] || [[Marconi S 400]] (Search Radar) || [[Marconi S 400]] (Tracking Radar) || Radar can be folded. Combined search and track radar without TWS capability.
|-
| [[Stormer HVM]] || Thales ADAD (Passive IR Search) || Thales ADAD (Passive Infrared Tracker) || Sensor cannot be folded (is very very small though). Missiles are laser-riding and locks trigger LWS on helicopters.
|-
|[[ADATS (M113)]] || ADATS Search (Search Radar) || ADATS Track (Passive Infrared Tracker) || Search radar can fold. Missiles are beam-riding and locks trigger LWS (Laser Warning System) on helicopters.
|-
| [[Type 87]] || [[MPDR 12]] (Search Radar) || [[Albis]] (Tracking Radar) || Both radars can be folded.
|-
| [[SIDAM 25]] || None || [[3JB10]] (Optronic Tracker) || Tracker is integrated in the optics, there is nothing to fold.
|-
| [[OTOMATIC]] || [[SMA VPS-A05]] (Search Radar) || [[SMA VPG-A06]] (Tracking Radar) || Both radars can be folded.
|-
| [[AMX-30 DCA]] || [[DR-VC-1A]] (Search Radar) || [[Albis]] (Tracking Radar) || Radar cannot be folded. Uses [[Albis]] as generic tracking radar.
|-
| [[Roland 1]] || Roland Search (Search Radar) || ADATS Track (Passive Infrared Tracker) || Search radar cannot be folded (Tracker is integrated in the optics, there is nothing to fold).
|-
| [[SIDAM 25 (Mistral)]] || None || [[3JB10]] (Optronic Tracker) || Missiles use onboard infrared sensors (will track flares). Tracker is integrated in the optics.
|-
|[[VEAK 40]] || (Search Radar) || (Tracking Radar) || Radar cannot be folded. Combined search and track radar without TWS capability.
|-
|[[Lvrbv 701]] || None || (Tracking Radar) || Radar cannot be folded.
|-
|[[Lvkv 9040C]] || (Search Radar) || (Tracking Radar) || Radar cannot be folded. Combined search and track radar without TWS capability.
|-
|[[ASRAD-R]] || None || (Tracking Radar) || Radar cannot be folded.
|-
|}

== Media ==

{{Youtube-gallery|3BbIiDovPPk|'''The Shooting Range #139''' - ''Tactics and strategy'' section at 09:26 discusses the basics of SPAA radars.|luvhoX8Ht1I|'''War Thunder''' - New anti-air defence.|Wq9qHd_TCgk|'''The Shooting Range #184''' - ''Tactics and strategy'' section at 09:26 discusses the tactical use of radar-equipped SPAAs and the typical mistakes to avoid.|tcIeR_s6fp8|'''The Shooting Range #204''' - ''Tactics & Strategy'' section at 09:23 discusses the radars.}}

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6064-development-radar-station-new-opportunities-in-the-game-en|[Devblog] Radar Station: New opportunities in the game]]

[[Category:Game_mechanics]]
[[Category:Radars]]

P-66

2021-02-09T15:04:29Z

U92533794: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-66
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

An American fighter designed in the 1930s, the "Vanguard" may bear a slight resemblance to the [[P-36G|P-36 Hawk]], another contemporary US design with a radial engine, razorback cockpit, and similar armament, but it has large differences in the details of its design. Compared to the Hawk, it has a longer and rounder fuselage with narrower wings. It also has an unusually spacious canopy, which is not surprising considering that it was designed to share parts with trainer aircraft. Performance wise, the P-66 is a balanced fighter with no particular strengths. This may be off-putting for pilots coming from the previous [[CW-21]] and its amazing performance, but the P-66 is still a decent aircraft and is the first Chinese fighter that can actually take a hit or two. Tactics learned with this aircraft can be applied to the succeeding [[P-40E-1 (China)|P-40E]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


Most flight characteristics of the P-66 are average or perhaps slightly below average. The top speed is not terrible for its rank, but it will not be winning many races against contemporary German and Italian aircraft with sleek inline engines. It is slower than the [[Bf 109 E-1|Bf 109E]]s, and [[C.202]]s or [[He 100 D-1 | He 100]]s will leave it in the dust. The Japanese [[Ki-43-II]] is faster as well. The climb rate and acceleration are nothing special. Turning is decent when combat flaps are used, but it is less maneuverable than many low-rank aircraft it faces. Horizontal energy retention is alright, but the vertical energy retention is below average. Dive characteristics are fairly good, as it picks up speed nicely and the controls do not stiffen that much.

Overall, the P-66 is in an uncomfortable situation where it does not have the speed or climb to consistently have an energy advantage over many of its opponents, but it also does not have outstanding maneuverability for easily dodging diving attacks or winning turnfights. Fly carefully!

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,573 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 523 ||508 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.9 || 21.6 || 8.2 || 8.2 || rowspan="2" | 343
|-
! Upgraded
| 571 || 547 || 19.2 || 20.0 || 14.9 || 11.2
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 480 || 340 || 280 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 350 || < 280 || < 580 || > 250
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 1,890 m || 1,100 hp || 1,210 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,810 m || 1,000 hp || 1,100 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 38 mm of bulletproof glass on the windshield
* 8 mm of steel behind upper portion of engine compartment
* 8 mm of steel in the pilot's seat
* Two small armored boxes with 3 mm of steel in the rear fuselage

One self sealing fuel tank is located in each wing root.

The P-66 has good armor for a plane of this size and era. The combination of the large radial engine, engine compartment armor, and bulletproof glass makes knocking out the pilot in head-on engagements less likely. The armored seat protects the aircraft from behind and the self-sealing fuel tanks are hard to hit except in deflection shots.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted (225 rpg = 450 total)
* 4 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (500 rpg = 2,000 total)

Compared to the CW-21, the P-66 has two more 7.62 mm machine guns and slightly more ammunition for the twin M2 Brownings. The former are located in the wings, and the latter are tightly clustered in the upper nose. The M2 Brownings are the star of the show as they are highly accurate and deal good damage. The P-66 initially had access to mid-war belts for the M2 Brownings, but they have since been removed. The early belts do not have access to AP-I rounds and do not start fires as effectively, but the kinetic effects are much the same. Try the Universal and Stealth belts since they have a decent mix of armor-piercing and incendiary rounds.

The low-caliber 7.62 machine guns are less useful since they experience issues with convergence and become ineffective past a few hundred meters. Still, they add extra burst mass and will do a number against unarmored aircraft. Much like the M2 Brownings, try the Universal or Stealth belts.

== Usage in battles ==


At the start of a match, climb and gain some altitude, at least a few thousand meters. Sideclimbing is recommended to avoid getting jumped by high-flying opponents early on. Do not try to climb to great heights since this would take a while and the engine will not perform very well there. Keep an eye out on the battlefield and look for enemies. If things are quiet, the P-66 can serve admirably for attacking bombers and attackers due to its good protection and firepower. If enemy fighters are nearby, stick with teammates and look for an opening to engage. For newer pilots, it is easier to go after enemies that have a significant energy disadvantage or are distracted. Be careful when picking fights and avoid extended horizontal or vertical maneuvers. If the engagement becomes unfavorable, consider acting as bait and leading opponents towards teammates.

It is hard to specify any particular strategies for the P-66 due to its rounded performance. Maintain energy throughout dogfights and use the powerful armament as soon as a firing solution is available. A crippled opponent will have a hard time fighting a pristine P-66. And do not be afraid of taking some light fire if it means getting into a more advantageous position.

Do not let opponents with both superior speed and maneuverability like the [[Ki-43-II]] latch onto the P-66's tail. At that point, the only recourse is to dodge while running towards teammates because it is unlikely that the P-66 will be able to successfully disengage or pull a reversal against a decent pilot.

Baiting enemies into head-ons is a viable strategy since the P-66 is better protected than most other fighters and the nose-mounted M2 Brownings are very accurate with a high muzzle velocity. A few good hits can set the opponent afire or knock out their pilot. Try to dodge after firing a good burst; even if the enemy is damaged or destroyed first, their bullets or perhaps the burning wreck of their plane are still unpleasant to be hit by.

When attacking bombers or attackers with defensive gunners, note that while low caliber defensive weapons are unlikely to knock out the P-66's pilot, the engine can still be damaged and destroyed if enough hits are taken. Do not sit on a bomber or attacker's tail for long unless its gunners have been knocked out. Try to aim for fuel tanks or engines, since those are easily set afire. Trying to dismantle large aircraft with sheer burst mass will take a while and use up lots of ammunition.

* In simulator, the P-66 is overall a decent aircraft to fly, similar to the previous CW-21 in many aspects. The tactics are also similar to RB: it can perform BnZ fighting as well as some turn fighting and intercepting.
* The P-66's pros in sim include pretty nice handling at most speeds (300-450 kph), extremely well over-the-nose visibility thanks to its high-mounted gunsight, allowing the player to easily see what is below the nose. Sideways & upward visibility is great too, with very few canopy frames obstructing your view. It is also forgiving for beginners, since it will not easily enter flat spins even if you pull the stick a lot (almost to the edge), allowing for more agile maneuvers.
* Its biggest con is the terrible rear visibility. With a huge non-transparent structure behind your seat, you cannot see anything behind you, sometimes not even your own stabilisers! As a result you will always get caught off guard from behind, not knowing what and where the enemy is. There are also quite some thick frames at the front. Also, the P-66's elevators struggles to pitch the aircraft at both low and high speeds (<250 kph, >480 kph). When performing BnZ attacks, this flaw can cause the player to ram into the target plane as a result of not being able to pitch up in time. Therefore you need to pull the stick more to turn tighter. At last, the roll rate is not satisfactory below 200 kph.
* Note that when taking off the P-66 will drift to the left and right due to the propeller torque, so it is recommended to set keybinds for left and right brakes to effectively control your direction when on the runway. Using rudder alone will not work at low speed and you will either circle around or lose control and crash into nearby structures like tents/hangars.
* Landing is fairly beginner-friendly. It is able to decelerate quickly while also having low enough stall speed, allowing you to quickly slow down and descend onto the runway. Note: landing flaps generate lots of lift that will raise your plane back up, so use combat / takeoff flaps first and only deploy landing flaps when you are almost touching down. Remember to remain overall parallel to the ground. It also performs great when braking as its nose will not usually dip into the ground (same as the later P-43), so you can keep braking until it fully stops (given that you deflect elevators fully upwards) which is vital for preparing the next fight quickly.
* Under 2500m, you can use WEP for around 3 minutes, then the oil will start heating up. But above 2500m, the WEP can be almost infinite depending on the map season. For trimming, it is recommended to trim for around -10, -8, -8 for ailerons, elevators and rudder respectively.
* Your firepower is quite weak against bombers and attackers, and the recommended deflection shooting will take you some time to down an aircraft as you only have 2 M2 MG that do the work. The 4x 7.62 mm generally do little damage against tough planes. Still, do not sit behind any plane with a rear facing gunner as you big radial engine will always get damaged. Some examples are the IL-2 which is commonly seen in Sim. It can get mistakenly seen as other aircraft from a distance due to its common appearance. But up close you will see two bomb-like structures underneath its wings and triangular stabilisers with rounded tips. The early IL-2s have no defensive guns so it is safe to sit behind and carefully aim. They are heavily armoured in the cockpit and engine so avoid aiming at these areas. Instead target the tail to hope for disabling their tail control. The late IL-2s, however, have a rear-facing Berezin UB which is something you definitely want to avoid. Perform deflection shots or just disengage.
* Other examples include the AI bombers which are usually Ju-87s. Do not engage them if you have no altitude advantage. Having higher speed but at the same altitude will not work either as the P-66 loses speed quickly in a level flight. Try to get at least 600m above them. To maximise the damage aim for their nose and engines, as the wings and fuselage usually soak up lots of bullets. Only fire when they pass in front of your guns. During these steps do not forget to randomly pitch and yaw to avoid their guns, because even those single MG 15s can easily damage your fragile engine. Luckily, with a damaged engine you might still be able to glide back to a nearby airfield as interceptions with AI bombers usually happen at around 2000m which is enough to glide away.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Separate || Controllable 2 gears || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good firepower
* Respectable turn time
* Quite rugged
* Decent dive characteristics
* Combat flaps are useful and do not rip very easily

'''Cons:'''

* Bad climb rate
* Not very fast
* Poor performance at high altitudes
* Engine tends to overheat
* No suspended ordnance for ground attack

== History ==


In the late 1930s, the Vultee Aircraft Corporation, previously known for the V-1 airliner and the derivative V-11/V-12 attackers, began work on a Model 48 fighter aircraft intended for export. The Model 48 was based on the Hughes H-1B race aircraft designed earlier by Vultee's chief designer. Not long after work began, the US Army began looking for advanced trainer aircraft, and Vultee planned on making a family of aircraft based on the Model 48, sharing components of the wings, tail, and rear fuselage. Three trainers were ultimately produced this way, including the well known BT-13 Valiant.

The Model 48, given the nickname of "Vanguard", was continuously refined. The first prototype was modified to have a long cowling and pointed nose, the engine being buried deeper in the fuselage. This approach, reminiscent of what would be used on the Japanese [[J2M2|J2M Raiden]], was intended to reduce drag, but ultimately caused issues with weight and cooling. As a result the engine installation was reverted to a more traditional setup. The Model 48C was the final revision intended for production and first flew in 1940. A large order of 144 aircraft was placed by Sweden. However, before the planes could be deliered, the US government blocked the export of aircraft to Sweden. At the time, Germany had already invaded Norway and Denmark, and the US feared that equipment exported to Sweden could end up in Axis service. This export ban prompted Sweden to focus on domestic aircraft development, eventually leading to aircraft like the [[J22-A|J22]].

100 fighters were instead to be given (though not yet produced or delivered) to Britain as the "Vanguard I", despite the fact that Britain had previously rejected it. The Vanguard was deemed unfit for combat and instead planned for use as advanced trainers in Canada. Meanwhile, the Republic of China was hard-pressed with fighting the Japanese invasion and went to the US looking to purchase suitable fighter aircraft. The Vanguard was considered a viable option, and after Britain relinquished the 100 aircraft that officially belonged to them, all 144 Vanguards were designated "'''P-66'''" and granted to China. Production fell behind schedule and no P-66s were delivered to China in fall 1941 as planned. In late 1941, the events of Pearl Harbor rocked the US, and a number of completed P-66s were used for training and testing by the USAAF. Though apparently well liked by pilots, the P-66 was rather accident prone and the final evaluation criticized its maneuverability and wing loading. Thus, the P-66 was dropped by the US military and the examples were shipped to China in crates beginning in the spring of 1942.

102 Vanguards survived the trip to Asia, and after their arrival in Karachi, a slow process of assembly and testing began. Ferrying the completed P-66s to China did not go smoothly, as the Republic of Chinese Air Force sent very few pilots to pick up the aircraft (frustrating the US government), and when they did, the pilots were inexperienced and many aircraft were lost in crashes. The P-66s were not used for much after being delivered either, often sitting in their hangars with few flying hours. After the US declined to export additional P-40s, citing that none of the Chinese lend-lease aircraft had actually been used in combat, the ROCAF suddenly started using their aircraft aggressively, the P-66 included.

In Chinese service, the P-66 was an unremarkable fighter. At one point it was the most numerous fighter in the ROCAF inventory, though the [[P-40E-1 (China)|P-40]] and [[P-43A-1 (China)|P-43]] saw much more action. When it did fight, it fared poorly against Japanese fighters, having more success against bombers. This may not have entirely been the fault of the design as the ROCAF had major issues with poor pilot training and logistics, but the P-43, another design held in low regard, proved to be more successful. The P-66 also suffered from friendly fire due to its passing resemblance to the [[Ki-43-I | Ki-43]] and [[Ki-44-I | Ki-44]]. Regardless, in late 1943, the P-66 was retired from combat duties and instead used as a trainer aircraft for the rest of its service in the Chinese Air Force - the same fate Britain had intended for it, and a fitting role considering its development history.

The P-66 was officially retired by the ROCAF in 1945, but a number of examples were put back into crates and stashed into caves near the city of Chongqing in preparation for the Kuomingtang's conflict with the Communists. They do not appear to have been used and their fate remains unknown. No examples are known to survive today.

==References==

* Dunn, Richard L. [https://www.warbirdforum.com/dunnp66.htm]. ''The Warbird's Forum'', Online June 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2020.

* Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p66.html]. ''Joebauer.com website'', Online 18 September 1999. Retrieved 22 April 2020.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/474724-vultee-p-66-vanguard/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Vultee}}
{{China fighters}}

P-66

2021-02-09T15:03:04Z

U92533794: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=p-66
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

An American fighter designed in the 1930s, the "Vanguard" may bear a slight resemblance to the [[P-36G|P-36 Hawk]], another contemporary US design with a radial engine, razorback cockpit, and similar armament, but it has large differences in the details of its design. Compared to the Hawk, it has a longer and rounder fuselage with narrower wings. It also has an unusually spacious canopy, which is not surprising considering that it was designed to share parts with trainer aircraft. Performance wise, the P-66 is a balanced fighter with no particular strengths. This may be off-putting for pilots coming from the previous [[CW-21]] and its amazing performance, but the P-66 is still a decent aircraft and is the first Chinese fighter that can actually take a hit or two. Tactics learned with this aircraft can be applied to the succeeding [[P-40E-1 (China)|P-40E]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


Most flight characteristics of the P-66 are average or perhaps slightly below average. The top speed is not terrible for its rank, but it will not be winning many races against contemporary German and Italian aircraft with sleek inline engines. It is slower than the [[Bf 109 E-1|Bf 109E]]s, and [[C.202]]s or [[He 100 D-1 | He 100]]s will leave it in the dust. The Japanese [[Ki-43-II]] is faster as well. The climb rate and acceleration are nothing special. Turning is decent when combat flaps are used, but it is less maneuverable than many low-rank aircraft it faces. Horizontal energy retention is alright, but the vertical energy retention is below average. Dive characteristics are fairly good, as it picks up speed nicely and the controls do not stiffen that much.

Overall, the P-66 is in an uncomfortable situation where it does not have the speed or climb to consistently have an energy advantage over many of its opponents, but it also does not have outstanding maneuverability for easily dodging diving attacks or winning turnfights. Fly carefully!

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,573 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 523 ||508 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 20.9 || 21.6 || 8.2 || 8.2 || rowspan="2" | 343
|-
! Upgraded
| 571 || 547 || 19.2 || 20.0 || 14.9 || 11.2
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 480 || 340 || 280 || ~12 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 350 || < 280 || < 580 || > 250
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 1,890 m || 1,100 hp || 1,210 hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,810 m || 1,000 hp || 1,100 hp
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 38 mm of bulletproof glass on the windshield
* 8 mm of steel behind upper portion of engine compartment
* 8 mm of steel in the pilot's seat
* Two small armored boxes with 3 mm of steel in the rear fuselage

One self sealing fuel tank is located in each wing root.

The P-66 has good armor for a plane of this size and era. The combination of the large radial engine, engine compartment armor, and bulletproof glass makes knocking out the pilot in head-on engagements less likely. The armored seat protects the aircraft from behind and the self-sealing fuel tanks are hard to hit except in deflection shots.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, nose-mounted (225 rpg = 450 total)
* 4 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (500 rpg = 2,000 total)

Compared to the CW-21, the P-66 has two more 7.62 mm machine guns and slightly more ammunition for the twin M2 Brownings. The former are located in the wings, and the latter are tightly clustered in the upper nose. The M2 Brownings are the star of the show as they are highly accurate and deal good damage. The P-66 initially had access to mid-war belts for the M2 Brownings, but they have since been removed. The early belts do not have access to AP-I rounds and do not start fires as effectively, but the kinetic effects are much the same. Try the Universal and Stealth belts since they have a decent mix of armor-piercing and incendiary rounds.

The low-caliber 7.62 machine guns are less useful since they experience issues with convergence and become ineffective past a few hundred meters. Still, they add extra burst mass and will do a number against unarmored aircraft. Much like the M2 Brownings, try the Universal or Stealth belts.

== Usage in battles ==


At the start of a match, climb and gain some altitude, at least a few thousand meters. Sideclimbing is recommended to avoid getting jumped by high-flying opponents early on. Do not try to climb to great heights since this would take a while and the engine will not perform very well there. Keep an eye out on the battlefield and look for enemies. If things are quiet, the P-66 can serve admirably for attacking bombers and attackers due to its good protection and firepower. If enemy fighters are nearby, stick with teammates and look for an opening to engage. For newer pilots, it is easier to go after enemies that have a significant energy disadvantage or are distracted. Be careful when picking fights and avoid extended horizontal or vertical maneuvers. If the engagement becomes unfavorable, consider acting as bait and leading opponents towards teammates.

It is hard to specify any particular strategies for the P-66 due to its rounded performance. Maintain energy throughout dogfights and use the powerful armament as soon as a firing solution is available. A crippled opponent will have a hard time fighting a pristine P-66. And do not be afraid of taking some light fire if it means getting into a more advantageous position.

Do not let opponents with both superior speed and maneuverability like the [[Ki-43-II]] latch onto the P-66's tail. At that point, the only recourse is to dodge while running towards teammates because it is unlikely that the P-66 will be able to successfully disengage or pull a reversal against a decent pilot.

Baiting enemies into head-ons is a viable strategy since the P-66 is better protected than most other fighters and the nose-mounted M2 Brownings are very accurate with a high muzzle velocity. A few good hits can set the opponent afire or knock out their pilot. Try to dodge after firing a good burst; even if the enemy is damaged or destroyed first, their bullets or perhaps the burning wreck of their plane are still unpleasant to be hit by.

When attacking bombers or attackers with defensive gunners, note that while low caliber defensive weapons are unlikely to knock out the P-66's pilot, the engine can still be damaged and destroyed if enough hits are taken. Do not sit on a bomber or attacker's tail for long unless its gunners have been knocked out. Try to aim for fuel tanks or engines, since those are easily set afire. Trying to dismantle large aircraft with sheer burst mass will take a while and use up lots of ammunition.

* In simulator, the P-66 is overall a decent aircraft to fly, similar to the previous CW-21 in many aspects. The tactics are also similar to RB: it can perform BnZ fighting as well as some turn fighting and intercepting.
* The P-66's pros in sim include pretty nice handling at most speeds (300-450 kph), extremely well over-the-nose visibility thanks to its high-mounted gunsight, allowing the player to easily see what is below the nose. Sideways & upward visibility is great too, with very few canopy frames obstructing your view. It is also forgiving for beginners, since it will not easily enter flat spins even if you pull the stick a lot (almost to the edge), allowing for more agile maneuvers.
* Its biggest con is the terrible rear visibility. With a huge non-transparent structure behind your seat, you cannot see anything behind you, sometimes not even your own stabilisers! As a result you will always get caught off guard from behind, not knowing what and where the enemy is. There are also quite some thick frames at the front. Also, the P-66's elevators struggles to pitch the aircraft at both low and high speeds (<250 kph, >480 kph). When performing BnZ attacks, this flaw can cause the player to ram into the target plane as a result of not being able to pitch up in time. Therefore you need to pull the stick more to turn tighter. At last, the roll rate is not satisfactory below 200 kph.
* Note that when taking off the P-66 will drift to the left and right due to the propeller torque, so it is recommended to set keybinds for left and right brakes to effectively control your direction when on the runway. Using rudder alone will not work at low speed and you will either circle around or lose control and crash into nearby structures like tents/hangars.
* Landing is fairly beginner-friendly. It is able to decelerate quickly while also having low enough stall speed, allowing you to quickly slow down and descend onto the runway. Note: landing flaps generate lots of lift that will raise your plane back up, so use combat / takeoff flaps first and only deploy landing flaps when you are almost touching down. Remember to remain overall parallel to the ground. It also performs great when braking as its nose will not usually dip into the ground (same as the later P-43), so you can keep braking until it fully stops (given that you deflect elevators fully upwards) which is vital for preparing the next fight quickly.
* Under 2500m, you can use WEP for around 3 minutes, then the oil will start heating up. But above 2500m, the WEP can be almost infinite depending on the map season. For trimming, it is recommended to trim for around -10, -8, -8 for ailerons, elevators and rudder respectively.
* Your firepower is quite weak against bombers and attackers, and the recommended deflection shooting will take you some time to down an aircraft as you only have 2 M2 MG that do the work. The 4x 7.62 mm generally do little damage against tough planes. Still, do not sit behind any plane with a rear facing gunner as you big radial engine will always get damaged. Some examples are the IL-2 which is commonly seen in Sim. It can get mistakenly seen as other aircraft from a distance due to its common appearance. But up close you will see two bomb-like structures underneath its wings and triangular stabilisers with rounded tips. The early IL-2s have no defensive guns so it is safe to sit behind and carefully aim. They are heavily armoured in the cockpit and engine so avoid aiming at these areas. Instead target the tail to hope for disabling their tail control. The late IL-2s, however, have a rear-facing Berezin UB which is something you definitely want to avoid. Perform deflection shots or just disengage.
* Other examples include the AI bombers which are usually Ju-87s. Do not engage them if you have no altitude advantage. Having higher speed but at the same altitude will not work either as the P-66 loses speed quickly in a level flight. Try to get at least 600m above them. To maximise the damage aim for their nose and engines, as the wings and fuselage usually soak up lots of bullets. Only fire when they pass in front of your guns. During these steps do not forget to randomly pitch and yaw to avoid their guns, because even those single MG 15s can easily damage your fragile engine. Luckily, with a damaged engine you might still be able to glide back to a nearby airfield as interceptions with AI bombers usually happen at around 2000m which is enough to glide away.

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Not auto controlled || Separate || Controllable 2 gears || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good firepower
* Respectable turn time
* Quite rugged
* Decent dive characteristics
* Combat flaps are useful and do not rip very easily

'''Cons:'''

* Bad climb rate
* Not very fast
* Poor performance at high altitudes
* Engine tends to overheat
* No suspended ordinance for ground attack

== History ==


In the late 1930s, the Vultee Aircraft Corporation, previously known for the V-1 airliner and the derivative V-11/V-12 attackers, began work on a Model 48 fighter aircraft intended for export. The Model 48 was based on the Hughes H-1B race aircraft designed earlier by Vultee's chief designer. Not long after work began, the US Army began looking for advanced trainer aircraft, and Vultee planned on making a family of aircraft based on the Model 48, sharing components of the wings, tail, and rear fuselage. Three trainers were ultimately produced this way, including the well known BT-13 Valiant.

The Model 48, given the nickname of "Vanguard", was continuously refined. The first prototype was modified to have a long cowling and pointed nose, the engine being buried deeper in the fuselage. This approach, reminiscent of what would be used on the Japanese [[J2M2|J2M Raiden]], was intended to reduce drag, but ultimately caused issues with weight and cooling. As a result the engine installation was reverted to a more traditional setup. The Model 48C was the final revision intended for production and first flew in 1940. A large order of 144 aircraft was placed by Sweden. However, before the planes could be deliered, the US government blocked the export of aircraft to Sweden. At the time, Germany had already invaded Norway and Denmark, and the US feared that equipment exported to Sweden could end up in Axis service. This export ban prompted Sweden to focus on domestic aircraft development, eventually leading to aircraft like the [[J22-A|J22]].

100 fighters were instead to be given (though not yet produced or delivered) to Britain as the "Vanguard I", despite the fact that Britain had previously rejected it. The Vanguard was deemed unfit for combat and instead planned for use as advanced trainers in Canada. Meanwhile, the Republic of China was hard-pressed with fighting the Japanese invasion and went to the US looking to purchase suitable fighter aircraft. The Vanguard was considered a viable option, and after Britain relinquished the 100 aircraft that officially belonged to them, all 144 Vanguards were designated "'''P-66'''" and granted to China. Production fell behind schedule and no P-66s were delivered to China in fall 1941 as planned. In late 1941, the events of Pearl Harbor rocked the US, and a number of completed P-66s were used for training and testing by the USAAF. Though apparently well liked by pilots, the P-66 was rather accident prone and the final evaluation criticized its maneuverability and wing loading. Thus, the P-66 was dropped by the US military and the examples were shipped to China in crates beginning in the spring of 1942.

102 Vanguards survived the trip to Asia, and after their arrival in Karachi, a slow process of assembly and testing began. Ferrying the completed P-66s to China did not go smoothly, as the Republic of Chinese Air Force sent very few pilots to pick up the aircraft (frustrating the US government), and when they did, the pilots were inexperienced and many aircraft were lost in crashes. The P-66s were not used for much after being delivered either, often sitting in their hangars with few flying hours. After the US declined to export additional P-40s, citing that none of the Chinese lend-lease aircraft had actually been used in combat, the ROCAF suddenly started using their aircraft aggressively, the P-66 included.

In Chinese service, the P-66 was an unremarkable fighter. At one point it was the most numerous fighter in the ROCAF inventory, though the [[P-40E-1 (China)|P-40]] and [[P-43A-1 (China)|P-43]] saw much more action. When it did fight, it fared poorly against Japanese fighters, having more success against bombers. This may not have entirely been the fault of the design as the ROCAF had major issues with poor pilot training and logistics, but the P-43, another design held in low regard, proved to be more successful. The P-66 also suffered from friendly fire due to its passing resemblance to the [[Ki-43-I | Ki-43]] and [[Ki-44-I | Ki-44]]. Regardless, in late 1943, the P-66 was retired from combat duties and instead used as a trainer aircraft for the rest of its service in the Chinese Air Force - the same fate Britain had intended for it, and a fitting role considering its development history.

The P-66 was officially retired by the ROCAF in 1945, but a number of examples were put back into crates and stashed into caves near the city of Chongqing in preparation for the Kuomingtang's conflict with the Communists. They do not appear to have been used and their fate remains unknown. No examples are known to survive today.

==References==

* Dunn, Richard L. [https://www.warbirdforum.com/dunnp66.htm]. ''The Warbird's Forum'', Online June 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2020.

* Baugher, Joe. [http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p66.html]. ''Joebauer.com website'', Online 18 September 1999. Retrieved 22 April 2020.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/474724-vultee-p-66-vanguard/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Vultee}}
{{China fighters}}

Yak-38M

2021-01-27T15:18:21Z

U92533794: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Russian naval jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the premium version
| link = Yak-38
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-38m
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "New Power"]]. Like the Harrier, it is an aircraft with a VTOL capability. The {{PAGENAME}} is externally almost identical to the Yak-38 and the few differences are difficult to identify in combat, aside from the plane's stock livery. These features are the tail boom (long and coloured in red for the 38M while short for the 38) and the forward Pitot tube (striped for the 38M and unicolour for the 38).

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,190 || 1,186 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 39.6 || 40.7 || 87.3 || 78.7 || rowspan="2" | 520
|-
! Upgraded
|1,205||1,197||36.9||38.1||124.5||102.4
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || X || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 650 || 500 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 850 || < 920 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load (NOTE: the Yak-38M's gunpods and removable internal cannon are not counted)}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-28V-300 (main) || 1
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | 7,240 kg || colspan="2" rowspan="2" | 502 kg/m2
|-
| colspan="2" | RD-38 (lift jets) || 2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
|-
| 1,420 kg (main) || colspan="2" | Vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan
| rowspan="2" | 8,077 kg || rowspan="2" | 9,631 kg || rowspan="2" | 9,960 kg || rowspan="2" | 10,300 kg
|-
| 210 kg (lift jet)|| colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum main engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio in forward flight @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,120 kgf || N/A
| 0.88 || 0.74 || 0.71 || 0.69
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 7,120 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.88 || 0.74 || 0.71 || 0.69
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum lift engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio in VTOL (all 3 engines) @ 0 m (100%)
|-
| ''Stationary'' || {{Annotation|3,230 kgf|13,580 kg total thrust in VTOL (split over 3 engines)}}|| N/A
| 1.68 || 1.41 || 1.36 || 1.31
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The Yak-38 has no armour. It is a fairly large target with the entire fuselage being taken up with engines and fuel tanks.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** Without offensive armament
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, mounted under fuselage (160 rpg)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|Kh-23M|R-60}}
{{main|S-5KP|S-8M|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 10 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs + 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,500 kg total)
* 64 x S-5KP rockets
* 64 x S-5KP rockets
* 96 x S-5KP rockets
* 40 x S-8M rockets
* 2 x S-24B rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 32 x S-5KP rockets + 2 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total) + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 32 x S-5KP rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 64 x S-5KP rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles

== Usage in battles ==

The Yak-38 is not very fast (you can reach Mach 1 in a slight dive when carrying minimum loadout) and not very nimble (bad energy retention in tight turns) so you'll lose many engagements with dedicated boom and zoom and dogfight optimised aircraft. What really makes this plane shine is the customizable loadout as well as its amazing rate of climb (101,2 m/s when spaded) and acceleration.

Due to your low speed it is wise to avoid high altitude combat as you'll be pitted against supersonic interceptors at this BR. Try to stay low and either ground pound or destroy enemy attackers. Doing this your main opponents are F-86 and Harrier variants. Both of which will out-turn you in a dog fight.

You have two options for dogfighting aircraft:

Use your climb rate to get into an advantageous position. You can out-climb almost all aircraft of your battle rating. And as long as you stay at lower altitudes you'll most likely be able to avoid those aircraft that can out-climb you.

Switch to hover mode. The Yak's hover mode can only be engaged at speeds below 450 km/h so you have to plan ahead a bit or react really fast once you slow down enough. Your goal here should be to get into the center of the enemies turning circle. When executed correctly it is impossible for the enemy to get their aim on you, while you are still perfectly able to fire at them. And if they disengage they set themselves up for you to lock on with AAMs. But be aware that engaging hover mode will make you an easy target for other aircraft that are not part of the dogfight so it's best used in 1 on 1 situations.

'''Air to Air'''

The Yak-38M has several air to air options for its loadout. You can also set one additional 23mm gun-pod as offensive weapon in your modifications menu. Keep in mind that gun pods add a substantial amount of drag and heavily impact your climb and turn rate and are not dropped after expending their ammo.

All combinations of gun-pods, R-60 and S-24B are viable but emphasize on different ways to approach enemy aircraft.

- Central gun-pod + R-60 keeps your drag quite low and still leaves you with a main gun after firing both missiles.

- Everything from two gun-pods (2x pods or central pod + 2x pods) up creates a high volume of fire and makes the Yak-38M deadly in head-on approaches. This can be combined with R-60 for taking out faster planes.

- 4 pods (5 with central pod) give an incredible burst mass of over 40 kg/s and will shred everything in a head-on approach. In many cases this will be overkill though. The pods can't be fired independently and trigger discipline is required to not run out of ammo too fast. Also there is no R-60 in this config.

- 2x R-60 + 2x S-24B (+ central pod) opens up the possibility to make snapshots on passing enemies with very deadly anti-bunker rockets. With a bit of practise and setting a detonation distance you are comfortable with the S-24B can be used to reliably take out every plane in its large burst radius. Can also be used in head-on approaches but in contrast to adding more gun-pods they won't create any drag after you have fired them.

'''Air to Ground'''

You have access to a ballistics computer for your rockets and guns. A ballistics computer is not available for bombs.

As with the Su-7 it gives you firing solutions for your guns on ground and missiles on ground.

The loadout you should choose depends heavily on whether you are playing Air RB or Ground RB. For Air RB gun-pods and rocket-pods are most useful to take out groups of smaller ground targets like vehicles, light tanks, howitzers, etc.

The available bomb loadout is not sufficient to be threatening to enemy bases in any way, so it is recommended to not attempt to bomb enemy bases.

For Ground RB the Kh-23M gives you access to two beam riding ATGMs with an TNT equivalent of almost 100kg. As with all beam riding missiles you will be an easy target while keeping your nose pointed at the enemy. As you will face SPAAs equipped with SAMs at this BR, taking 2x 500 kg bombs might be more useful depending on the situation and composition of the enemy team.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* VTOL capabilities
* Very high rate of climb
* Numerous payload options
* Offensive 23mm cannons have a very high fire rate
* Split elevator

'''Cons:'''

* Subsonic
* Boom and zoom only playstyle
* Offensive 23mm cannon has low ammo for its fire rate, trigger discipline is required
* Offensive 23mm belts is a Tier III modification

== History ==

=== [[wt:en/news/6942-development-yak-38-yak-38m-hover-jet-en|Devblog]] ===
Although Soviet engineers were experimenting with VTOL fixed wing aircraft design since the early 1960's, it wasn't until December 1967 before a formal order to develop a light VTOL strike aircraft as well as a corresponding trainer version was issued. As a result, engineers at the Yakovlev design bureau began work on the new aircraft in the late 1960's, basing their design on experience gained from developing the preceding Yak-36 - an early VTOL demonstration design.

The new aircraft, designated Yak-36M, was being developed for immediate frontline service, operating both from land bases as well as aircraft-carrying ships. The aircraft's primary role was that of a strike aircraft, engaging ground and surface targets while also being suited to intercept enemy aircraft and helicopters if necessary.

Not too long after work on the project began, the first prototype saw completion and conducted its maiden flight in December 1970. Subsequent prototypes and trials continued testing the aircraft's performance, particularly its novel VTOL capabilities. By 1973, the aircraft was considered ready and serial production commenced.

After some further testing and crew training, the aircraft officially entered service with the Soviet Navy in August 1977, receiving the designation Yak-38. By 1982, over 140 Yak-38's were built, all of which served aboard the then new Kiev-class aircraft carriers. In the mid 1980's, the modernized Yak-38M version came into service, most prominently featuring more powerful engines as well as other improvements. About 50 Yak-38M's were built before the type was ultimately decommissioned in 1991.

=== Further development ===
The Yak-38M was seen as a stepping stone to a better VTOL aircraft by the Yakovlev Design Bureau. A large part of the Yak-38M design would end up in the Yak-41M which instead of having 2 nozzles, would instead pivot a much larger single engine exhaust while still retaining the 2 lift engines at the front, and unlike the Yak-38M it was supersonic capable. In the Western world it was known as the Yak-141 while inside the Soviet military it was the Yak-41M. When the Cold War ended and funding for the project was cut Yakovlev looked for other companies that would like to enter a partnership. In 1991 Yakovlev would enter a partnership with Lockheed-Martin and due to this relationship officially change the designation of the 2 flying prototypes to Yak-141. Lockheed-Martin would end up using the experience they gained from this on their X-35 plane which would end up being the F-35 family of planes, the F-35B is the one that has the general engine layout of the Yak-141.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=jet_fighter&vehicle=yak-38m Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Yak-38M Devblog Images" heights="200">
File:Yak-38M WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:Yak-38M WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
File:Yak-38M WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
File:Yak-38M WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|1yFd8lx7vQI|'''Yakovlev Yak-38 Soviet Naval Aviation''' - ''yolkhere''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Yak-38]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[Harrier (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6942-development-yak-38-yak-38m-hover-jet-en|[Development] Yak-38 & Yak-38M: Hover Jet]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/504154-yak-38m/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [[wikipedia:Yakovlev_Yak-38|[Wikipedia] Yakovlev Yak-38]]
* [http://www.airvectors.net/avredvt.html <nowiki>[Air Vectors]</nowiki> Soviet Jet VTOL: Yak-36, Yak-38, & Yak-41]

{{USSR jet aircraft}}

Yak-38M

2021-01-15T22:33:49Z

U92533794: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Russian naval jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the premium version
| link = Yak-38
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=yak-38m
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "New Power"]]. Like the Harrier, it is an aircraft with a VTOL capability. The {{PAGENAME}} is externally almost identical to the Yak-38 and the few differences are difficult to identify in combat, aside from the plane's stock livery. These features are the tail boom (long and coloured in red for the 38M while short for the 38) and the forward Pitot tube (striped for the 38M and unicolour for the 38).

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 0 m - sea level)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,190 || 1,186 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 39.6 || 40.7 || 87.3 || 78.7 || rowspan="2" | 520
|-
! Upgraded
|1,205||1,197||36.9||38.1||124.5||102.4
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || X || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 650 || 500 || ~11 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 650 || < 850 || < 920 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic Mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load (NOTE: the Yak-38M's gunpods and removable internal cannon are not counted)}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Tumansky R-28V-300 (main) || 1
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | 7,240 kg || colspan="2" rowspan="2" | 502 kg/m2
|-
| colspan="2" | RD-38 (lift jets) || 2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
|-
| 1,420 kg (main) || colspan="2" | Vectored-thrust low-bypass turbofan
| rowspan="2" | 8,077 kg || rowspan="2" | 9,631 kg || rowspan="2" | 9,960 kg || rowspan="2" | 10,300 kg
|-
| 210 kg (lift jet)|| colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum main engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio in level flight @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 7,120 kgf || N/A
| 0.88 || 0.74 || 0.71 || 0.69
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 7,120 kgf (0 km/h) || N/A
| 0.88 || 0.74 || 0.71 || 0.69
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum lift engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio in VTOL (all 3 engines) @ 0 m (100%)
|-
| ''Stationary'' || {{Annotation|3,230 kgf|13,580 kg total thrust in VTOL (split over 3 engines)}}|| N/A
| 1.68 || 1.41 || 1.36 || 1.31
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The Yak-38 has no armour. It is a fairly large target with the entire fuselage being taken up with engines and fuel tanks.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** Without offensive armament
** 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, mounted under fuselage (160 rpg)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|OFAB-100 (100 kg)|OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|FAB-500M-54 (500 kg)|Kh-23M|R-60}}
{{main|S-5KP|S-8M|S-24B|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total)
* 4 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 1,000 total)
* 10 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs + 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,500 kg total)
* 64 x S-5KP rockets
* 64 x S-5KP rockets
* 96 x S-5KP rockets
* 40 x S-8M rockets
* 2 x S-24B rockets
* 4 x S-24B rockets
* 32 x S-5KP rockets + 2 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannons (250 rpg = 500 total) + 2 x R-60 missiles
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 100 kg OFAB-100 bombs (200 kg total)
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (500 kg total)
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 32 x S-5KP rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 64 x S-5KP rockets
* 2 x R-60 missiles + 2 x S-24B rockets
* 2 x Kh-23M missiles

== Usage in battles ==

The Yak-38 is not very fast (you can reach Mach 1 in a slight dive when carrying minimum loadout) and not very nimble (bad energy retention in tight turns) so you'll lose many engagements with dedicated boom-n-zoom and dogfight optimised aircraft. What really makes this plane shine is the customizable loadout as well as its amazing rate of climb (101,2 m/s when spaded) and acceleration.

Due to your low speed it is wise to avoid high altitude combat as you'll be pitted against supersonic interceptors at this BR. Try to stay low and either ground pound or destroy enemy attackers. Doing this your main opponents are F-86 and Harrier variants. Both of which will out-turn you in a dog fight.

You have two options for dogfighting aircraft:

Use your climb rate to get into an advantageous position. You can out-climb almost all aircraft of your battle rating. And as long as you stay at lower altitudes you'll most likely be able to avoid those aircraft that can out-climb you.

Switch to hover mode. The Yak's hover mode can only be engaged at speeds below 450 km/h so you have to plan ahead a bit or react really fast once you slow down enough. Your goal here should be to get into the center of the enemies turning circle. When executed correctly it is impossible for the enemy to get their aim on you, while you are still perfectly able to fire at them. And if they disengage they set themselves up for you to lock on with AAMs. But be aware that engaging hover mode will make you an easy target for other aircraft that are not part of the dogfight so it's best used in 1 on 1 situations.

'''Air to air'''

The Yak-38M has several air to air options for its loadout. You can also set one additional 23mm gun-pod as offensive weapon in your modifications menu. Keep in mind that gun pods add a substantial amount of drag and heavily impact your climb and turn rate and are not dropped after expending their ammo.

All combinations of gun-pods, R-60 and S-24B are viable but emphasize on different ways to approach enemy aircraft.

- Central gun-pod + R-60 keeps your drag quite low and still leaves you with a main gun after firing both missiles.

- Everything from two gun-pods (2x pods or central pod + 2x pods) up creates a high volume of fire and makes the Yak-38M deadly in head-on approaches. This can be combined with R-60 for taking out faster planes.

- 4 pods (5 with central pod) give an incredible burst mass of over 40 kg/s and will shred everything in a head-on approach. In many cases this will be overkill though. The pods can't be fired independently and trigger discipline is required to not run out of ammo too fast. Also there is no R-60 in this config.

- 2x R-60 + 2x S-24B (+ central pod) opens up the possibility to make snapshots on passing enemies with very deadly anti-bunker rockets. With a bit of practise and setting a detonation distance you are comfortable with the S-24B can be used to reliably take out every plane in its large burst radius. Can also be used in head-on approaches but in contrast to adding more gun-pods they won't create any drag after you have fired them.

'''Air to ground'''

You have access to a ballistics computer for your rockets and guns.

As with the Su-7 it gives you firing solutions for your guns on ground and missiles on ground. Bombs still have to be aimed regularly.

The loadout you are chosing depends heavily on whether you are playing Air RB or Ground RB. For Air RB gun-pods and rocket-pods are most useful to take out groups of smaller ground targets like vehicles, light tanks, howitzers, etc.

The available bomb loadout is not sufficient to be threatening to enemy bases in any way.

For Ground RB the Kh-23M gives you access to two beam riding ATGMs with an TNT equivalent of almost 100kg. As with all beam riding missiles you will be an easy target while keeping your nose pointed at the enemy. As you will face AA tanks equipped with SAMs at this BR taking 2x 500 kg bombs might be more useful depending on the situation and composition of the enemy team.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* VTOL capabilities
* Very high rate of climb
* Numerous payload options
* Offensive 23mm cannons have a very high fire rate
* Split elevator

'''Cons:'''

* Subsonic
* Boom and zoom only playstyle
* Offensive 23mm cannon has low ammo for its fire rate, trigger discipline is required
* Offensive 23mm belts is a Tier III modification

== History ==

=== [[wt:en/news/6942-development-yak-38-yak-38m-hover-jet-en|Devblog]] ===
Although Soviet engineers were experimenting with VTOL fixed wing aircraft design since the early 1960's, it wasn't until December 1967 before a formal order to develop a light VTOL strike aircraft as well as a corresponding trainer version was issued. As a result, engineers at the Yakovlev design bureau began work on the new aircraft in the late 1960's, basing their design on experience gained from developing the preceding Yak-36 - an early VTOL demonstration design.

The new aircraft, designated Yak-36M, was being developed for immediate frontline service, operating both from land bases as well as aircraft-carrying ships. The aircraft's primary role was that of a strike aircraft, engaging ground and surface targets while also being suited to intercept enemy aircraft and helicopters if necessary.

Not too long after work on the project began, the first prototype saw completion and conducted its maiden flight in December 1970. Subsequent prototypes and trials continued testing the aircraft's performance, particularly its novel VTOL capabilities. By 1973, the aircraft was considered ready and serial production commenced.

After some further testing and crew training, the aircraft officially entered service with the Soviet Navy in August 1977, receiving the designation Yak-38. By 1982, over 140 Yak-38's were built, all of which served aboard the then new Kiev-class aircraft carriers. In the mid 1980's, the modernized Yak-38M version came into service, most prominently featuring more powerful engines as well as other improvements. About 50 Yak-38M's were built before the type was ultimately decommissioned in 1991.

=== Further development ===
The Yak-38M was seen as a stepping stone to a better VTOL aircraft by the Yakovlev Design Bureau. A large part of the Yak-38M design would end up in the Yak-41M which instead of having 2 nozzles, would instead pivot a much larger single engine exhaust while still retaining the 2 lift engines at the front, and unlike the Yak-38M it was supersonic capable. In the Western world it was known as the Yak-141 while inside the Soviet military it was the Yak-41M. When the Cold War ended and funding for the project was cut Yakovlev looked for other companies that would like to enter a partnership. In 1991 Yakovlev would enter a partnership with Lockheed-Martin and due to this relationship officially change the designation of the 2 flying prototypes to Yak-141. Lockheed-Martin would end up using the experience they gained from this on their X-35 plane which would end up being the F-35 family of planes, the F-35B is the one that has the general engine layout of the Yak-141.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=aircraft&vehicleClass=jet_fighter&vehicle=yak-38m Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Yak-38M Devblog Images" heights="200">
File:Yak-38M WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
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</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|1yFd8lx7vQI|'''Yakovlev Yak-38 Soviet Naval Aviation''' - ''yolkhere''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[Yak-38]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* [[Harrier (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6942-development-yak-38-yak-38m-hover-jet-en|[Development] Yak-38 & Yak-38M: Hover Jet]]
* [[wikipedia:Yakovlev_Yak-38|[Wikipedia] Yakovlev Yak-38]]
* [http://www.airvectors.net/avredvt.html <nowiki>[Air Vectors]</nowiki> Soviet Jet VTOL: Yak-36, Yak-38, & Yak-41]

{{USSR jet aircraft}}