Out of Mothballs: Obsolescent Weaponry on the T2k Battlefield

[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.

[.45cultist]

When the T55's rolled off the line, they were parked running for 5-6 hours. Then the oil was drained and a couple of kilos of metal shavings removed!

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by .45cultist

When the T55's rolled off the line, they were parked running for 5-6 hours. Then the oil was drained and a couple of kilos of metal shavings removed!

Yikes! What's Russian for "quality control"?

I'm not sure how to do screen caps but from OSINT Uri on Twitter,

"The AFU has been using modified WWII-era PTAB (2.5 kg) anti-tank bombs dropped from UAV's against Russian armor and personnel. They were used as a cluster munition against German armor and troops dropped from cassettes most often mounted on IL-2's. The version shown has both a shaped charge at the nose and anti-personnel fragmentation casing for dual use."

The tweet includes photos. Drones wouldn't really feature in T2k v1-4, but those PTAB bomblets would still be around. I wonder if they could be used (with a few mods) as AT grenades?

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[Raellus]

More from Twitter:

"the ���� Ukraine Weapons Tracker
@UAWeapons
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4h
#Ukraine: The Ukrainian army started to use ancient KS-19 100mm anti-aircraft guns. Though initially designed to be used against air targets, now they will be used against ground targets- in indirect and possibly direct mode.

The first KS-19 guns entered service in 1947.

"We can see Soviet UOF-412 rounds with OF-412 projectiles, which weigh 15.6KG and pack ~1.5KG of TNT. They have a maximum range when fired from the KS-19 of 19,950 meters.

These particular rounds are rather old too- they were manufactured back in 1962."

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