Out of Mothballs: Obsolescent Weaponry on the T2k Battlefield

[Raellus]

To continue the theme of edged weapons (see the MPL-50P in post 210), here are two antique weapons that could make an appearance on the battlefield c. 2000.

The 1927 pattern Shashka (a hiltless cavalry sabre of Caucasian/Cossack origin).

The 1940 general pattern sword.

I wonder if there are stockpiles of the 1927 pattern Shashka somewhere in the former USSR. I could see the Soviets restarting production in the T2kU, to issue to their new and converted horse cavalry formations (reasoning: it'll save ammo). The latter was issued to officers only, so would probably be considerably more rare.

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[Raellus]

Dummies have been used to draw enemy fire since the Middle Ages, at the latest. Anti-sniper decoys, a prominent feature of WWI, are making a combat in the trenches of Ukraine.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...hes-of-ukraine

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[Raellus]

This Vice piece has links to a Twitter video showing a UAF soldier firing a Maxim modified with a stock, modern optics, and suppressor.

https://www.vice.com/en/article/wxjq...against-russia

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[Ursus Maior]

Trench warfare with larger assaults occurring weekly. Water-cooled machine-guns are having a blast - so to speak - in these conditions. It's really, what they were made for. With larger assaults seemingly happening only weekly, barrels should last months, if not longer.

Meanwhile, the Russians are moving T-54 and T-55 to the front. Right on time, I expected them in spring, when I saw their losses of T-72s mounting last year in April.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by Ursus Maior

Meanwhile, the Russians are moving T-54 and T-55 to the front. Right on time, I expected them in spring, when I saw their losses of T-72s mounting last year in April.

It looks that way. This article suggested the alternative possibility that the T-54/55s might be on their way to Syria, or to backfill more modern types being sent to the front. Either way, this is not a good sign for the Russians.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...nks-to-ukraine

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[kato13]

Originally Posted by Raellus

It looks that way. This article suggested the alternative possibility that the T-54/55s might be on their way to Syria, or to backfill more modern types being sent to the front. Either way, this is not a good sign for the Russians.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...nks-to-ukraine

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I have seen it suggested that they will be used for SP indirect fire as Russian artillery tubes are getting worn out. Iran also produces HE shells for them so that might assist vis-a-vis the ammo shortages we have been hearing about.

[Vespers War]

Originally Posted by kato13

I have seen it suggested that they will be used for SP indirect fire as Russian artillery tubes are getting worn out. Iran also produces HE shells for them so that might assist vis-a-vis the ammo shortages we have been hearing about.

I don't think they'll be able to fill that role for long. Barrel lives when they were made were <500 rounds (the T-62 had a 450 round barrel life, for example) and they'll have had some of that life used up before they were mothballed. A few days of shooting 100+ rounds and their rifling will be worn out and the barrel warping from heat cycling.

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by kato13

I have seen it suggested that they will be used for SP indirect fire as Russian artillery tubes are getting worn out. Iran also produces HE shells for them so that might assist vis-a-vis the ammo shortages we have been hearing about.

I've seen rumors that they are intended for infantry support.