Out of Mothballs: Obsolescent Weaponry on the T2k Battlefield

[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.

[Bestbrian]

Originally Posted by Vespers War

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.

Never mind what condition the ammunition is in. On paper, the Russkis think they have a gazillion rounds of legacy 100mm gun ammo, so getting those tubes up to the front isn't really a bad idea, but...who believes any of this stuff was properly stored, maintained, or not secretly sold off? If it's stupid and it works then it's not that stupid, but the fact that they're in the position of being one year into this thing and already digging into the Class C/Mobilization Only division supply pool is really piss poor. However this thing ends, the after action reports of this war are going to be brutal.

What's next? T-34s by Christmas?

[Raellus]

This article outlines the pros and cons of using T-54/55s as SP artillery. Fortunately, there are a few more cons.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...h=7dd32c39472e

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[bash]

Originally Posted by Raellus

This article outlines the pros and cons of using T-54/55s as SP artillery. Fortunately, there are a few more cons.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidax...h=7dd32c39472e

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The 18° elevation isn't so much a problem if they park them on inclined ramps. A 52° ramp would give them up to the 70° elevation needed to match a Howitzer. It leaves a lot of problems but could maximize their range.

The bigger problem (in my estimation) is just getting those tanks and their ammo to the front. We've seen nothing but terrible logistics from the Russians since they started the war and zero improvement since then. Keeping a bunch of old T-55s running to actually use as SPGs will further strain their terrible logistics.

If they were to use ramps/dugouts to properly angle the guns they won't be able to shoot and scoot like real SPGs and will get a salvo off before counterbattery liquifies them. Even those salvos might not hit anything if the ammo they pull from storage has been taken care of as well as the rest of their depot munitions and vehicles.

It'll end up being a lot of logistical effort for low rewards unless the Russian army gets real competent real fast.

[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.