Difference between revisions of "ST-A1"

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The ST-A1, similar to most Japanese tanks, is lightly armoured. Although the sloped upper glacis and the rounded turret are capable of bouncing off the occasional shot at BR 6.3, most enemies it faces will not have any problems in penetrating the armour. Combined with the tight placement of crew, modules, and ammo, the ST-A1 is easily taken out in a single shot. The ST-A1 can serve as a sniper or flanker (although it does not have the best speed), however, full utilization of the terrain is essential for survival - due to its powerful gun and low profile, the tank is able to fire off long-range shots without exposing itself. The excellent reverse speed should also be taken advantage of to quickly retreat into cover.
 
The ST-A1, similar to most Japanese tanks, is lightly armoured. Although the sloped upper glacis and the rounded turret are capable of bouncing off the occasional shot at BR 6.3, most enemies it faces will not have any problems in penetrating the armour. Combined with the tight placement of crew, modules, and ammo, the ST-A1 is easily taken out in a single shot. The ST-A1 can serve as a sniper or flanker (although it does not have the best speed), however, full utilization of the terrain is essential for survival - due to its powerful gun and low profile, the tank is able to fire off long-range shots without exposing itself. The excellent reverse speed should also be taken advantage of to quickly retreat into cover.
  
−
The STA1 bears the common Japanese post-war camouflage-schemes - green, bi-color green and the white spotted winter camouflage, as well as the beige-gray-green and multi-color camouflage patterns that are purchasable with Golden Eagles. The tank has a distinct silhouette with its rounded turret and long, low chassis, and carries the 90 mm M3A1 cannon found on the [[M46|M46 Patton]] tank.
+
The STA1 bears the common Japanese post-war camouflage-schemes - green, bi-colour green and the white spotted winter camouflage, as well as the beige-grey-green and multi-colour camouflage patterns that are purchasable with Golden Eagles. The tank has a distinct silhouette with its rounded turret and long, low chassis, and carries the 90 mm M3A1 cannon found on the [[M46|M46 Patton]] tank.
  
 
== 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?''
+
<!--''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.''-->
 
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
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* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  
−
When facing the ST-A1, the left side of the turret holds the gunner and commander, the right side holds ammo, so a well placed shot into the turret will result in a catastrophic explosion, or, at the least, double crew knock out with solid shot. If unable to shoot the Gunner out, the Breach which is the largest thing in the turret will do as the repair is close to 1 minute (or less depending on crew) giving enough time to reload and finish off the tank.
+
When facing the ST-A1, the left side of the turret holds the gunner and commander, the right side holds ammo, so a well placed shot into the turret will result in a catastrophic explosion, or, at the least, double crew knock out with a solid shot. If unable to shoot the Gunner out, the Breach which is the largest thing in the turret will do as the repair is close to 1 minute (or less depending on the crew) giving enough time to reload and finish off the tank.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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== Armaments ==
 
== 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.''-->
+
<!--''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|M3A1 (90 mm)}}
 
{{main|M3A1 (90 mm)}}
  
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|-
 
|-
 
! Main Gun optics
 
! Main Gun optics
−
| X8 || X16 <!--Sometimes the actual value may not be known and here it should be referenced if the optic values are an estimate such as with a "X8.3 (estimated)" notation or something else that way the user will then be able to look to the comparable optics section and see a referenced optic which will have actual in-game data to back up the claim.-->
+
| X8 || X16 <!--Sometimes the actual value may not be known and here it should be referenced if the optic values are an estimate such as with an "X8.3 (estimated)" notation or something else that way the user will then be able to look to the comparable optics section and see a referenced optic which will have actual in-game data to back up the claim.-->
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan = "3"|
 
! colspan = "3"|
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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* It is important to know, that the earliest your enemy would have X16 scope is at BR of 7.7 with german Leopard 1, and even the SPG class tanks are generally having ~X6 or X8 at best at your BR.
+
* It is important to remember the earliest your enemy would have X16 scope is at a battle rating of 7.7 with German [[Leopard 1]] while even the SPG class tanks will most likely have an ~X6 or X8 at best.
−
* Be aware that gun lacks stabilizer and shooting tanks without it on a move with X16 optics is a good way to miss your target by a mile. If you have to aim at targets on a move, do not change your pace or the gun will fire less predictably.
+
* Be aware when utilising guns which lack stabilizer, attempting to shoot on the move while viewing through X16 optics is almost a guaranteed miss due to the movement of the vehicle over the terrain. If needed to aim at targets on a move, do not change pace or make sudden changes as the gun will fire less predictably and most likely result in a miss.
 
   
 
   
 
===== Ammunition =====
 
===== Ammunition =====

Revision as of 10:35, 7 May 2019

Introducing Wiki 3.0
ST-A1
jp_st_a1.png
ST-A1
Japan flag.png Japan
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
6.3 6.3 6.3
Class:
Research:54 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:185 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png

Description

GarageImage ST-A1.jpg


The ST-A1 (also known by STA-1) is a Rank IV Japanese medium tank with a battle rating of 6.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai".

The ST-A1, similar to most Japanese tanks, is lightly armoured. Although the sloped upper glacis and the rounded turret are capable of bouncing off the occasional shot at BR 6.3, most enemies it faces will not have any problems in penetrating the armour. Combined with the tight placement of crew, modules, and ammo, the ST-A1 is easily taken out in a single shot. The ST-A1 can serve as a sniper or flanker (although it does not have the best speed), however, full utilization of the terrain is essential for survival - due to its powerful gun and low profile, the tank is able to fire off long-range shots without exposing itself. The excellent reverse speed should also be taken advantage of to quickly retreat into cover.

The STA1 bears the common Japanese post-war camouflage-schemes - green, bi-colour green and the white spotted winter camouflage, as well as the beige-grey-green and multi-colour camouflage patterns that are purchasable with Golden Eagles. The tank has a distinct silhouette with its rounded turret and long, low chassis, and carries the 90 mm M3A1 cannon found on the M46 Patton tank.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 75 mm (52°) Front glacis
75 mm (47°) Lower glacis 		25 mm (45°) Top
25 mm Bottom 		15 mm (15-44°) Top
15 mm Bottom 		15 mm
Turret 75 mm (5-55°) Turret front
50 mm (8-65°) Gun mantlet 		40 mm (16-32°) 25 mm (7-10°) 15 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 40 mm 15 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.

When facing the ST-A1, the left side of the turret holds the gunner and commander, the right side holds ammo, so a well placed shot into the turret will result in a catastrophic explosion, or, at the least, double crew knock out with a solid shot. If unable to shoot the Gunner out, the Breach which is the largest thing in the turret will do as the repair is close to 1 minute (or less depending on the crew) giving enough time to reload and finish off the tank.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armour
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
34.2 N/A 50 (AB)
45 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 775 954
Realistic/Simulator 442 500
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 22.66 27.89
Realistic/Simulator 12.92 14.62

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: M3A1 (90 mm)
90 mm M3A1
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
40 -10°/+13° ±180° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 14.30 19.76 _.__ _.__ _.__
Realistic 14.30 16.80 _.__ _.__ _.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
11.8 _.__ _.__ _.__
ST-A1 Optics
Which ones Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics X8 X16
Comparable optics Type_74G
  • It is important to remember the earliest your enemy would have X16 scope is at a battle rating of 7.7 with German Leopard 1 while even the SPG class tanks will most likely have an ~X6 or X8 at best.
  • Be aware when utilising guns which lack stabilizer, attempting to shoot on the move while viewing through X16 optics is almost a guaranteed miss due to the movement of the vehicle over the terrain. If needed to aim at targets on a move, do not change pace or make sudden changes as the gun will fire less predictably and most likely result in a miss.
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
M318 shot AP 192 191 179 165 152 139
M71 shell HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
M82 shot APCBC 170 169 164 151 138 127
M304 shot APCR 264 260 245 226 210 191
M332 shot APCR 271 270 245 217 192 170
M348 shell HEATFS 305 305 305 305 305 305
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
M318 shot AP 853 11 N/A N/A N/A +4° 43° 30° 25°
M71 shell HE 823 11 0.1 0.5 925 +0° 79° 80° 81°
M82 shot APCBC 853 11 1.2 20 137.2 +4° 48° 63° 71°
M304 shot APCR 1021 7.6 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
M332 shot APCR 1178 5.6 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
M348 shell HEATFS 853 6.5 0.0 0.1 926.17 +0° 65° 72° 75°
Smoke characteristic
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Screen radius
in m 		Screen time
in s 		Screen hold time
in s: 		Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
M313 821 11 13 5 20 50
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the ST-A1.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
40 39 (+1) 30 (+10) 1 (+39) no

Turret empty: 30 (+10)

Machine guns

Main articles: M2HB (12.7 mm), M1919A4 (7.62 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
660 (200) 577 -5°/+90° ±30°
7.62 mm M1919A4
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
4,500 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

Stay out of sight and find a good, defensible spot on the map and use the gun (preferably the HEAT-FS with 305 mm penetration) and excellent optical zoom. The tank has almost no armour, so do not rush forward - stay behind allies. Take a shot, then use the reverse speed to retreat to cover.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Vehicle body is thin and low = small front profile
  • Adequate gun depression of -9°
  • 90 mm gun that allow for combat against contemporary medium tanks
  • .50 cal machine gun allow for AA defense
  • Good speed, OK mobility
  • Very good reverse speed
  • Access to HEAT-FS shells
  • Has X16 zoom as maximum with competition generally using X8 at best

Cons:

  • Elevated engine deck prevents rear gun depression
  • Large ammo rack all over the turret, especially left side (Aiming right side)
  • Inadequate hull raw armor of 75 mm at front, relies on slopes and bounces for resistance against shots
  • Even more inadequate turret armor of around 40-75 mm overall
  • Gun sub-par against the heavy tanks like the Tiger II
  • High drop-rate of shells make long-range engagements difficult
  • 15 mm of armour on top of the turret and engine deck make it easy to penetrate for Strafing Air and Artillery

History

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

[Devblog] ST-A1: Stepping into a New Era

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Japan medium tanks
Type 97  Chi-Ha · Chi-Ha Kai · Chi-Ha Kai TD · Chi-Ha Short Gun
Type 1  Chi-He · Chi-He (5th Regiment) · Ho-I
Type 3  Chi-Nu · Chi-Nu II
Type 4  Chi-To · Chi-To Late
Type 5  Chi-Ri II
Type 61 MBT  ST-A1* · ST-A2* · ST-A3* · Type 61
Type 74 MBT  ST-B2* · Type 74 (C) · Type 74 (E) · Type 74 (F) · Type 74 (G)
Type 90 MBT  Type 90 · Type 90 (B) · Type 90 (B) "Fuji"
Type 10 MBT  TKX (P)* · TKX* · Type 10
Other  Ka-Chi
USA  ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▅M47
  *Prototype

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