Difference between revisions of "SU-85A"

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{{Specs-Card|code=ussr_su_85a}}
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{{About
 +
| about = Soviet tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| and
 +
| usage = the SPGs with an enclosed superstructure
 +
| link-1 = SU-85
 +
| link-2 = SU-85M
 +
}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=ussr_su_85a
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 +
|market=SU-85A (USSR)
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. This vehicle was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]] and offered as a reward during the [[wt:en/news/5962-special-festive-quest-en|2018 Festive Quest]] event.
 +
 
 +
This tank destroyer was created for testing at the end of 1943, as a potential successor of the SU-76M. The most notable difference was the replacement of the older 76 mm gun with an adapted version of an 85 mm anti-aircraft cannon. Ultimately the vehicle was not accepted for anything beyond testing due to poor mechanical performance.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, superstructure)
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 25 mm (59°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 25 mm (25-38°) ''Driver port'' <br> 30 mm (31°) ''Lower glacis'' || 15 mm || 15 mm <br> 4 mm ''Vent'' || 25 mm (31°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 7 mm ''Hull'' <br> 4 mm ''Engine access panel''
 +
|-
 +
| Superstructure || 25 mm (24°) ''Gun shield'' <br> 35 mm (cylindrical) ''Gun mantlet'' <br> 35 mm ''Gun mount'' || 10 mm (20°) || 10 mm <br> 6 mm ''Door''
 +
!
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 7 mm thick.
 +
* There is an additional inner wall (10 mm thick) separating the driver compartment from the crew compartment.
 +
* There is an additional inner wall (10 mm thick) on the right side separating the radiator from the crew compartment.
 +
 
 +
Like the [[SU-76M]] it derives from, the {{PAGENAME}}'s armour leaves a lot to be desired. The chassis itself is loosely based off of the light tanks T-70 and T-80. As a result, the lower frontal plate is 30 mm RHA, the upper plate and front of the crew compartment is 25 mm RHA, and the gun mantlet is 35 mm. There is a relatively small additional armour plate (25 mm) that is welded onto the upper frontal plate in front of the engines to give them slightly better protection. The sides and rear are 15 mm (hull) and 10 mm (crew compartment), making this vehicle vulnerable to heavy machine gunfire. This vehicle is also open-topped, making it a prime target for fighters looking to strafe an easy kill. All in all, this vehicle is the embodiment of a "glass cannon", unable to defend itself from anything but perhaps a glancing blow.
 +
 
 +
At its battle rating where one of the most common ammunition type used is APHE or APCBC, this vehicle has abysmal survivability. In most cases, the armour is just thick enough to arm the fuse in these shells- With a large fuel tank, lots of ammunition, and a crew packed into such a tight space, it is likely the shell will do crippling damage or knock the tank out with a single hit.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{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|abMinHp=199|rbMinHp=124}}
 +
 
 +
Based on the chassis of the SU-76M, the {{PAGENAME}} benefits from the same average mobility: it accelerates rather slowly but steadily and is able to reach a maximum speed of 43 km/h in a dozen of seconds. Braking happens quickly but the hull briefly wobbles afterwards, delaying your targeting process. The lack of neutral steering makes turning on the spot slow (3 km/h): make sure to build a little speed before turning and you'll turn much faster (10 km/h). The reverse speed is poor: it will not get you out of a dangerous situation quickly. The {{PAGENAME}} reaches 11 km/h when fording and 11 km/h when driving uphill. The tracks will grant you a decent mobility on hard terrain (solid ground, roads) but a slightly poorer mobility on soft terrain (mud, snow, sand). Light and medium obstacles (fences, posts, bushes and small trees) are not a problem but large obstacles (trees, concrete blocks and parked vehicles) will hinder your mobility: avoid them.
 +
 
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} has two coupled 70 horsepower motors, giving it a combined output of 140 HP. As it utilizes high-revving gasoline motors, it doesn't have nearly as much torque to move around compared to diesel engines.
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''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 flexibilty 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.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 +
{{main|D-5S (85 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[D-5S (85 mm)|85 mm D-5S]] || 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" | -4°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±8° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 6.2 || 8.5 || 10.4 || 11.5 || 12.2 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 4.2 || 4.9 || 6.0 || 6.6 || 7.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The D-5S gun offers a very good penetration power at its battle rating. Its high muzzle velocity allows for pretty flat firing trajectories. The accuracy drop is noticeable from 1,200 m distance and becomes a handicap beyond 1,500 m. The gun has a very limited traverse on the horizontal axis. This can make the tracking of a target difficult as the gun quickly reaches a stop. You should take that constraint into account when positioning your hull at a firing spot. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the gun is slow compared to other tanks at the same rank or battle rating who can turn their gun in average 2 to 3 times faster than you do.. The elevation angle of the gun is good, allowing you to fire at an elevated position but the depression angle is poor, making it impossible to fire from behind a ridge. Lacking a stabilizer, the tank can't reliably fire on the move. The reload time of the gun is rather long but in line with other Soviet tanks equipped with a 85 mm cannon. The gun recoil is average for a Soviet vehicle and not important enough to throw your gun off target after firing, except when firing at targets beyond 1,500 m.
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
The available ammunition allows for engaging all types of targets:
 +
 
 +
* '''BR-365K''': APHE; an armour-piercing shell with good penetration power and an explosive filler that will destroy any tank it penetrates.
 +
* '''BR-365A''': APHEBC; an armour-piercing shell with a reduced penetration power but a bigger explosive filler.
 +
* '''BR-365P''': APCR; a composite round with the best penetration power but no explosive filler and that will only penetrate flat vertical surfaces. It loses its advantage in penetration power beyond 1,000 m compared with conventional shells.
 +
* '''O-365K''': HE; a high-explosive shell useful for destroying open and lightly armoured vehicles.
 +
 
 +
{{:D-5S (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365K, BR-365A, BR-365P, O-365K}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.0.75''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''42''' || 38&nbsp;''(+4)'' || 31&nbsp;''(+11)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+41)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
Notes:
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
* Open-topped compartment empty of ammo: 31&nbsp;''(+11)''.
  
−
=== Machine guns ===
+
== Usage in battles ==
−
''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.''
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
In realistic battles, this vehicle plays best from the sidelines in a support role. It does not possess the speed to rush anywhere, even if it is not slow. It does not have the ability to take a hit without enduring crippling damage. It can hide behind walls and relatively low cover and remain hidden where a taller light or medium tank would likely be spotted. Its gun is superior to other guns at its BR range, such as American short 75 and 76 mm guns commonly found on Shermans and German 75 mm guns found on Panzer IV's. As such, the SU-85A can typically penetrate most tanks it battles against through their frontal armour out to distances in excess of a kilometre.
−
''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 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 ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''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:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* 85 mm D5-S cannon is powerful against common tanks like [[M4A2]], [[Cromwell V|Cromwell]], [[Pz.IV G|Pz.IV]]
 +
* Relatively small target / low silhouette
 +
* Great variety of ammunition to deal with all types of opponents
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Armour is not thick enough to protect the crew from much of anything, making the vehicle a "glass cannon".
 +
* Open-topped (often strafed by planes)
 +
* Crew is grouped tightly together - A penetrating shot that does not result in ammunition or fuel detonation will likely incapacitate several crew members.
 +
* ±8° horizontal gun traverse limit means that it might have to constantly adjust the hull, revealing itself
 +
* Low reverse speed
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
While working to develop an SPG that could vie with the most modern German tanks, the designers in the GAZ design bureau came up with a simple plan: take the SU-76M, the production of which had already been mastered, and create a new, more powerful weapon based on it. The project was developed with two 85 mm cannons, the D-5S and the S-53S. The version with the D-5S ended up being built for testing purposes, and the vehicle came to be called the SU-85A. During testing it became clear that the recoil of the powerful cannon was too great for a light SPG, which led the engineers to install a new gun and upgrade the defensive characteristics of their creation. However, by 1945 the modernized vehicle known as the SU-85B had become decidedly out of date, and the military decided to cancel the project.
 +
 
 +
''- From [[wt:en/news/5964-development-su-85a-premium-spg-en|Devblog]]''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
−
== Read also ==
+
;Skins
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_su_85a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|NpbRZ-Z56AQ|'''Keep it or Sell it? {{PAGENAME}} Event Tank''' - ''Virus''|XTl06UP8wZ8|'''{{PAGENAME}}; Is it worth it?''' - ''Many Miles Away''|exXJEChm53c|'''{{PAGENAME}} - The Ugly with the 85 mm''' - ''Napalmratte''}}
 +
 
 +
== 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;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
+
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
 +
* [[SU-76M]] / [[SU-76M (China)]] / [[SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps)]]
  
−
== Sources ==
+
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
* [[90/53 M41M]]
 +
* [[Pvkv m/43 (1946)]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
 +
 
 +
* [[wt:en/news/5964-development-su-85a-premium-spg-en|[Devblog] SU-85A Premium SPG]]
  
 +
{{TankManufacturer GAZ}}
 
{{USSR tank destroyers}}
 
{{USSR tank destroyers}}
 
{{USSR premium ground vehicles}}
 
{{USSR premium ground vehicles}}
 +
{{Winter Event}}

Latest revision as of 21:35, 28 January 2023

This page is about the Soviet tank destroyer SU-85A. For the SPGs with an enclosed superstructure, see SU-85 and SU-85M.
SU-85A
ussr_su_85a.png
GarageImage SU-85A.jpg
ArtImage SU-85A.png
SU-85A
USSR flag.png USSR
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.0 4.0 4.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game
MARKET

Description

The SU-85A is a premium gift rank II Soviet tank destroyer with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB/RB/SB). This vehicle was introduced in Update 1.85 "Supersonic" and offered as a reward during the 2018 Festive Quest event.

This tank destroyer was created for testing at the end of 1943, as a potential successor of the SU-76M. The most notable difference was the replacement of the older 76 mm gun with an adapted version of an 85 mm anti-aircraft cannon. Ultimately the vehicle was not accepted for anything beyond testing due to poor mechanical performance.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull25 / 15 / 15
Turret25 / 10 / 10
Crew4 people
Visibility75 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, superstructure)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 25 mm (59°) Upper glacis
25 mm (25-38°) Driver port
30 mm (31°) Lower glacis 		15 mm 15 mm
4 mm Vent 		25 mm (31°) Front glacis
7 mm Hull
4 mm Engine access panel
Superstructure 25 mm (24°) Gun shield
35 mm (cylindrical) Gun mantlet
35 mm Gun mount 		10 mm (20°) 10 mm
6 mm Door

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 7 mm thick.
  • There is an additional inner wall (10 mm thick) separating the driver compartment from the crew compartment.
  • There is an additional inner wall (10 mm thick) on the right side separating the radiator from the crew compartment.

Like the SU-76M it derives from, the SU-85A's armour leaves a lot to be desired. The chassis itself is loosely based off of the light tanks T-70 and T-80. As a result, the lower frontal plate is 30 mm RHA, the upper plate and front of the crew compartment is 25 mm RHA, and the gun mantlet is 35 mm. There is a relatively small additional armour plate (25 mm) that is welded onto the upper frontal plate in front of the engines to give them slightly better protection. The sides and rear are 15 mm (hull) and 10 mm (crew compartment), making this vehicle vulnerable to heavy machine gunfire. This vehicle is also open-topped, making it a prime target for fighters looking to strafe an easy kill. All in all, this vehicle is the embodiment of a "glass cannon", unable to defend itself from anything but perhaps a glancing blow.

At its battle rating where one of the most common ammunition type used is APHE or APCBC, this vehicle has abysmal survivability. In most cases, the armour is just thick enough to arm the fuse in these shells- With a large fuel tank, lots of ammunition, and a crew packed into such a tight space, it is likely the shell will do crippling damage or knock the tank out with a single hit.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB44 / 6 km/h
RB and SB41 / 6 km/h
Number of gears4 forward
1 back
Weight12.2 t
Engine power
AB267 hp
RB and SB140 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB21.9 hp/t
RB and SB11.5 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 44 6 12.2 199 267 16.31 21.89
Realistic 41 6 124 140 10.16 11.48

Based on the chassis of the SU-76M, the SU-85A benefits from the same average mobility: it accelerates rather slowly but steadily and is able to reach a maximum speed of 43 km/h in a dozen of seconds. Braking happens quickly but the hull briefly wobbles afterwards, delaying your targeting process. The lack of neutral steering makes turning on the spot slow (3 km/h): make sure to build a little speed before turning and you'll turn much faster (10 km/h). The reverse speed is poor: it will not get you out of a dangerous situation quickly. The SU-85A reaches 11 km/h when fording and 11 km/h when driving uphill. The tracks will grant you a decent mobility on hard terrain (solid ground, roads) but a slightly poorer mobility on soft terrain (mud, snow, sand). Light and medium obstacles (fences, posts, bushes and small trees) are not a problem but large obstacles (trees, concrete blocks and parked vehicles) will hinder your mobility: avoid them.

The SU-85A has two coupled 70 horsepower motors, giving it a combined output of 140 HP. As it utilizes high-revving gasoline motors, it doesn't have nearly as much torque to move around compared to diesel engines.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB794 Sl icon.png
RB950 Sl icon.png
SB1 040 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts115 000 Sl icon.png
Aces400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces640 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 80 / 120 / 150 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 142 / 142 / 142 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement ussr.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
85mm_APHE_ammo_pack
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods tank ammo.png
85mm_APCR_ammo_pack

Armaments

Main armament

85 mm D-5S cannon
Ammunition42 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
9.6 → 7.4 s
Vertical guidance-4° / 18°
Horizontal guidance-8° / 8°
Main article: D-5S (85 mm)
85 mm D-5S Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 42 -4°/+18° ±8° N/A 6.2 8.5 10.4 11.5 12.2 9.62 8.51 7.84 7.40
Realistic 4.2 4.9 6.0 6.6 7.0

The D-5S gun offers a very good penetration power at its battle rating. Its high muzzle velocity allows for pretty flat firing trajectories. The accuracy drop is noticeable from 1,200 m distance and becomes a handicap beyond 1,500 m. The gun has a very limited traverse on the horizontal axis. This can make the tracking of a target difficult as the gun quickly reaches a stop. You should take that constraint into account when positioning your hull at a firing spot. Furthermore, the rotation speed of the gun is slow compared to other tanks at the same rank or battle rating who can turn their gun in average 2 to 3 times faster than you do.. The elevation angle of the gun is good, allowing you to fire at an elevated position but the depression angle is poor, making it impossible to fire from behind a ridge. Lacking a stabilizer, the tank can't reliably fire on the move. The reload time of the gun is rather long but in line with other Soviet tanks equipped with a 85 mm cannon. The gun recoil is average for a Soviet vehicle and not important enough to throw your gun off target after firing, except when firing at targets beyond 1,500 m.

Ammunition

The available ammunition allows for engaging all types of targets:

  • BR-365K: APHE; an armour-piercing shell with good penetration power and an explosive filler that will destroy any tank it penetrates.
  • BR-365A: APHEBC; an armour-piercing shell with a reduced penetration power but a bigger explosive filler.
  • BR-365P: APCR; a composite round with the best penetration power but no explosive filler and that will only penetrate flat vertical surfaces. It loses its advantage in penetration power beyond 1,000 m compared with conventional shells.
  • O-365K: HE; a high-explosive shell useful for destroying open and lightly armoured vehicles.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
BR-365K APHE 148 143 126 106 90 77
BR-365A APHEBC 135 133 124 114 104 95
BR-365P APCR 195 187 154 122 96 76
O-365K HE 19 18 17 16 15 14
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
BR-365K APHE 792 9.2 1.2 14 77 47° 60° 65°
BR-365A APHEBC 792 9.2 1.2 14 164 48° 63° 71°
BR-365P APCR 1,050 4.99 - - - 66° 70° 72°
O-365K HE 785 9.54 0.2 0.1 741 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the SU-85A
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
42 38 (+4) 31 (+11) 1 (+41) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Open-topped compartment empty of ammo: 31 (+11).

Usage in battles

In realistic battles, this vehicle plays best from the sidelines in a support role. It does not possess the speed to rush anywhere, even if it is not slow. It does not have the ability to take a hit without enduring crippling damage. It can hide behind walls and relatively low cover and remain hidden where a taller light or medium tank would likely be spotted. Its gun is superior to other guns at its BR range, such as American short 75 and 76 mm guns commonly found on Shermans and German 75 mm guns found on Panzer IV's. As such, the SU-85A can typically penetrate most tanks it battles against through their frontal armour out to distances in excess of a kilometre.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 85 mm D5-S cannon is powerful against common tanks like M4A2, Cromwell, Pz.IV
  • Relatively small target / low silhouette
  • Great variety of ammunition to deal with all types of opponents

Cons:

  • Armour is not thick enough to protect the crew from much of anything, making the vehicle a "glass cannon".
  • Open-topped (often strafed by planes)
  • Crew is grouped tightly together - A penetrating shot that does not result in ammunition or fuel detonation will likely incapacitate several crew members.
  • ±8° horizontal gun traverse limit means that it might have to constantly adjust the hull, revealing itself
  • Low reverse speed

History

While working to develop an SPG that could vie with the most modern German tanks, the designers in the GAZ design bureau came up with a simple plan: take the SU-76M, the production of which had already been mastered, and create a new, more powerful weapon based on it. The project was developed with two 85 mm cannons, the D-5S and the S-53S. The version with the D-5S ended up being built for testing purposes, and the vehicle came to be called the SU-85A. During testing it became clear that the recoil of the powerful cannon was too great for a light SPG, which led the engineers to install a new gun and upgrade the defensive characteristics of their creation. However, by 1945 the modernized vehicle known as the SU-85B had become decidedly out of date, and the military decided to cancel the project.

- From Devblog

Media

Skins
Videos
Keep it or Sell it? SU-85A Event Tank - Virus
SU-85A; Is it worth it? - Many Miles Away
SU-85A - The Ugly with the 85 mm - Napalmratte

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


Gorky Automobile Plant (Го́рьковский автомоби́льный заво́д)
SPAA  GAZ-AAA (4M) · GAZ-AAA (DShK) · GAZ-MM (72-K)
  ZUT-37 · ZSU-37
Light Tank  T-60 · T-70 · T-80
Tank Destoyer  SU-76M · SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps) · SU-85A
  ZiS-30
Rocket  BM-8-24

USSR tank destroyers
SU-76M  SU-76M · SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps) · SU-85A
SU-57B  SU-57B · SU-76D
T-34 Derivatives  SU-122 · SU-85 · SU-85M · SU-100 · SU-122P
Heavy Tank Derivatives  SU-100Y · ISU-122 · ISU-122S · SU-152 · ISU-152 · Object 268
SU-100P and Derivatives  SU-100P · Object 120
Wheeled  YaG-10 (29-K)
Airborne  ASU-57 · ASU-85
Rocket  BM-8-24 · BM-13N · BM-31-12
ATGM  IT-1 · Shturm-S · Object 775 · Khrizantema-S
Artillery  2S1 · 2S3M
Other  SU-5-1 · ZiS-30 · SU-122-54
USA  SU-57

USSR premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  BA-11 · RBT-5 · BT-7A (F-32) · T-26 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-26E · T-126 · PT-76-57 · 2S38
Medium tanks  T-34 (Prototype) · T-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-34E · T-34-57 (1943) · T-34-85E · T-34-100 · T-44-122 · TO-55 · T-55AM-1 · T-72AV (TURMS-T) · T-80UD · Т-80U-Е1
  ▂M3 Medium · ▂M4A2 · ▂T-III · ▂T-V · ▂МК-IX "Valentine"
Heavy tanks  SMK · T-35 · ▂MK-II "Matilda" · KV-1E · KV-2 (1940) · KV-2 (ZiS-6) · KV-122 · KV-220 · IS-2 "Revenge" · Object 248 · IS-6 · T-10A
Tank destroyers  BM-8-24 · BM-13N · BM-31-12
  SU-57 · SU-76D · SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps) · SU-85A · SU-100Y · SU-122P · Object 120
SPAA  ▂Phòng không T-34 · ZUT-37

Winter events
2022  Winter Quest
Pilot stars  Late 298D · ◄Tornado IDS MFG
Tanker stars  T-80UM2
Sailor stars  USS Newport News
2021  Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
Pilot stars  C. 202D · ◊MiG-23MF
Tanker stars  A.C.I · AGS
Sailor stars  IJN Hayanami · MPK Pr.201K
2020  Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
Pilot stars  Ro.57 Quadriarma · MiG-21PFM
Tanker stars  E.B.R. (1954) · Class 3 (P)
Sailor stars  Type K-8 No.13 · USS Baltimore
2019  Operation F.R.O.S.T.
Pilot stars  TIS MA · J6K1
Tanker stars  QF 3.7 Ram · ▃Merkava Mk.2B
Sailor stars  PT-811 · Jaguar
2018  Festive Quest
Pilot stars  M.B.152C1 · Fw 190 C
Tanker stars  SU-85A · T30
Christmas Lights  P-43A-1 · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
2017  Festive Quest
Pilot christmas toys  P-40C · NC.900
Tanker christmas toys  AEC Mk II · Ersatz M10
Christmas Lights  Fw 189 A-1 · KV-2 (1940)
2016  Winter Holiday
Pilot stages  Ki-21-I hei · Me 262 A-2a
Tanker stages  ▃LVT(A)(4) (ZIS-2) · ▂Type 62
2015  War Thunder Fulfills Your Wishes!
Pilot reward  ▂P-63C-5
Tanker reward  VK 45.01 (P)
2014  Holiday War Thunder Marathon!
Pilot reward  I-301
Tanker reward  M8A1 GMC

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