Steel Soviet Union

The TOS-1 Rocket Assault Tank is a veritable heavily armored frontline combat vehicle. It has been upgraded from the original IS2 body chassis to the IS6 body chassis, which has enhanced the protective capabilities of its body chassis.

But contrary to its own concept of "heavy equipment", TOS-1 is also a weapon that is very afraid of enemy anti-armor fire strikes. While not violating the concept of "heavy equipment", you can indeed say that it is very Fragile.

The key to this contradiction certainly does not lie in the heavily armored chassis of TOS-1, but in its huge and fragile combat module part: the rocket launch box.

Its size is much larger than that of a tank turret, which means that even if it is equipped with armor protection, it will not be able to achieve adequate armor coverage like a tank turret.

For such dense and huge conspicuous external ammunition racks, it is obviously not advisable to lay armor with a key protection solution like a battleship. The only way to increase the armor coverage area is to increase the armor coverage area as much as possible.

But this has caused another problem: the launch box protective armor, which has a much higher coverage area than the tank turret armor, is destined to be unable to achieve sufficient strength and thickness to achieve the same protective performance as the original IS6 turret.

It can block ordinary small arms bullets and even small-caliber anti-tank weapons, such as anti-tank rifles and 20-gun armor-piercing projectiles with incorrect incident angles.

But if you encounter a slightly more powerful anti-tank weapon, such as the Panzerfaust or the tank killer, or the 37 stepping stone for firing tungsten core armor-piercing bullets.

Sorry, the protective armor of the TOS-1 launch box really cannot withstand this kind of high-penetration anti-armor attack.

It could range from the one being hit to spitting fire and rockets burning on the spot, to the more serious being being hit to the explosion of ammunition. It is entirely possible that all 16 rounds of 310mm rockets will explode in an instant.

This is why Malashenko is very taboo about sending TOS-1 to the front line of the battlefield very close to the enemy. He will not let TOS-1 charge into the battle if he can't let it go to the front line.

If the ammunition of this thing explodes, its power is really too great.

16 rounds of 310mm rockets explode together. With that power, let alone infantry, heavy tanks within a hundred meters can be broken into parts and restored to factory settings.

Although this thing does great harm to the Nazis, it does the same to our own side. The closer we use it to the front line, the greater the risks we need to bear.

Regarding this situation, Kotin, who has never interrupted contact and correspondence with Malashenko, certainly knows that Malashenko has always been very hopeful that TOS-1 can truly realize the name of "rocket assault tank" and put it into use The protective performance is improved to an acceptable level so that it can be put into front-line operations.

Especially in the upcoming Berlin siege campaign, if this powerful and ultimate invincible killer can cooperate with the siege troops and fight among the first-line siege squads, instead of waiting for the siege squads. After encountering a strong enemy, the attack is blocked, and the target cannot be taken down despite some or even considerable casualties, call the TOS-1 from behind to come and fire from a safe distance.

After all, accompanying heavy fire support also pays attention to timeliness. Generally speaking, of course, the more timely the support is, the better. Otherwise, many problems will arise.

If you want to solve this problem, you must first solve the problem of protection. This is what Kejin has been continuously researching, exploring and trying to solve after the TOS-1 "experience version" was delivered to Malashenko and in the process of moving towards the "finalized mass production version". key problem.

"The issue of how to improve protection is indeed very troublesome. Due to the huge armor laying area, any increase in armor thickness by one millimeter will bring a significant increase in weight to the launch box. It is like eating Salo too much and still It’s like keeping fat all winter without working.”

"However, I have to say that it is thanks to the design plan you proposed that it inspired me when I accidentally inspected the new IS7 mass production line."

"At that time, I saw the armor on the front of the IS7 car body being welded. Two pieces of cut homogeneous steel armor were being welded together bit by bit, until I accidentally saw the layers of protective structures and those sandwich layers. , that’s the composite armor sandwich proposed by you!”

"In just a moment, inspiration flashed through my mind like lightning, and I understood everything at once."

"In close combat and street fighting, what is the most common threat from anti-tank weapons that we encounter? The answer is very obvious, it is the anti-tank firepower of infantry, and with the evolution of the times, it is no longer those anti-tank guns. , but those chemical energy armor-piercing weapons, iron fists and tank killers that are highly portable and highly maneuverable.”

"Composite armor can bring very good armor-piercing resistance at a very light weight. I immediately realized that this was what I needed because of the weight restriction."

"The protective performance of the new mass-produced TOS-1 launch box has been significantly improved. We have welded and installed entire composite armor plates on the left and right sides of the launch box, which are most vulnerable to enemy fire and have the largest exposed area. , built-in rubber sandwich, one piece on the left and right, which is equivalent to very comprehensive protection of the left and right sides of the launch box that are most vulnerable to blows. "

"As for the launch port at the front of the launch box, there is really no way to strengthen the protection, or even to lay protective armor. After all, it is always open, facing the enemy, and ready to fire at any time."

"Considering that the threat of enemy air strikes is almost zero, and high-threat armor-piercing strikes falling from the sky almost no longer exist, the original protective armor on the top of the launch box remains as designed and remains intact. The trial TOS you received What the -1 is like, this batch of mass production models is also like.”

"As for the tail of the launch box, it is used for flame exhaust and reloading. Armor protection cannot be installed. In addition, I don't think there is any need to install it. Your soldiers can definitely protect her behind TOS-1 and let her be destroyed. Anyone who dares to stand in the way will open up a path to victory for the leader, right?"

Kogin, who had finished speaking, suddenly made a joke. Malashenko, who had been listening patiently to the explanation, just smiled when he heard this.

"That's true, but at least when she is violently pouring out her anger, my soldiers will never dare to stand behind her. At that time, her temper is fiercer than any shrew."

"Hahahahaha"

Kotin asked in a joke, and Malashenko answered in a joke.

The conversation between the old and the young pair is like this. Many times they start talking and laughing while talking about serious business.

However, Kotin almost only behaves like this when talking to Malashenko. Those around him have almost never seen him like this with others. Of course, there is no need to say more about the special meaning.

"There is another good news to tell you, which is also about the improvement of protective performance."