Difference between revisions of "ASU-85"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage_ASU-85.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''{{specs|name}}''' is a Rank {[specs|rank}} Russian tank destroyer {{BR1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows"]]. It's low profile and extremely potent gun makes it a wonderful contender in the 6.7 BR range. However, the lack of armour makes it hard use this vehicle in open environments. Everything will become easier when you unlock the HEAT-FS shell with 300 mm penetration at any distance.
 +
 
 +
The [[ASU|ASU]]-85 has a rather unorthodox method of using it's smoke screen. Unlike most vehicles, which use smoke shells, singular canisters, or canister clusters, the ASU-85 uses two large drum like structures at the rear. When deployed, these will drop away, so it's relatively easy to tell from close range whether or not an ASU-85 has smoke or not, and how many it has.
 +
 
 +
Be wary of the this method of deployment, as due to the orientation of the drums, the smoke screen will actually form ''behind'' the tank, and take about 2-3 seconds to fully envelope you.
  
 
== 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 helpfull 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.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 45 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 45 mm (37°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 50 mm ''Driver port''|| 6 mm || 6 mm (40°) ''Upper'' <br> 6 mm (18°) ''Lower'' || 6 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Superstructure || 45 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 100 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 13 mm (37-38°) || 6 mm || 13 mm ''Front'' <br> 6 mm ''Rear''
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick, tracks are 15 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armour<br>weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2" | 15.9 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 49 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|45 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|298
 +
|___
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|186
 +
|210
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|18.74
 +
|21.03
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|11.70
 +
|13.21
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== 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 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.''-->
 +
{{main|D-70 (85 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[D-70 (85 mm)|85 mm D-70]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 39 || -4°/+15° || ±15° || N/A
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 4.2 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 4.2 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 11.2 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
===== Ammunition =====
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| BR-372 || APBC || 230 || 227 || 214 || 199 || 186 || 172
 +
|-
 +
| OF-372 || HE || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11 || 11
 +
|-
 +
| 3BK7 || HEATFS || 300 || 300 || 300 || 300 || 300 || 300
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| BR-372 || APBC || 1040 || 9.3 || 1.2 || 15 || 85 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
| OF-372 || HE || 1010 || 9.7 || 0.1 || 0.3 || 740 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
| 3BK7 || HEATFS || 925 || 7.2 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 1,590 || +0° || 65° || 72° || 75°
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 +
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_ASU-85.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] on the ASU-85.]]
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
|| '''39''' || 33&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 26&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 19&nbsp;''(+20)'' || 13&nbsp;''(+26)'' || 7&nbsp;''(+32)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+38)'' || style="text-align:left" | No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 +
Front empty: 26&nbsp;''(+13)''<br />Sides only: 33&nbsp;''(+6)''
 +
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
 +
{{main|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 2,000 (250) || 600 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the battles ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 +
The stock shell is good. 230mm penetration is enough for weak spots in Rank IV. It is recommended to get the HEAT-FS shell as soon as possible for the ultimate 300 mm penetration for the vehicle. Beware of any incoming fire however, the armour is weak at only 45 mm thickest at the front. The mobility is mediocre, remember to cover flanks
 +
 
 +
*'''Sniper''': This tank doesn't surpass other snipers in Rank IV, due to the lack of armour. Utilize all possible mechanics to aid in acquiring and ranging the targets, especially the binoculars and range finder modification.
 +
*'''Ambush''': Find somewhere in the map that you feel most of the fight will happen there, find a good view with nice covers at there. Or just sitting in some bushes near the flanking routes.
 +
 
 +
Some enemies to be concerned of:
 +
* Tiger II [[Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. B (P)|(P)]], [[Pz.Kpfw. VI Ausf. B (H)|(H)]], [[Pz.Kpfw._VI_Ausf._B_mit_10,5cm_KwK_L/68|105 mm]]: Shoot at the turret cheeks (only front weakspot). If the HEAT shell is available, shoot the HEAT straight into their hull.
 +
* [[Panther II]]: Use HEAT against hull if it is at a close range and is looking right at the vehicle. In a longer distance, try for the lower glacis and the turret cheeks
 +
* [[Heavy Tank T29|T29]]: Shoot the lower glacis if engaging it frontally. There are a few weak points in the front turret as well, look for them.
 +
* [[FV 221 Caernarvon|Caernavron]]: Fire at the turret ring and lower glacis.
 +
* [[A39 Tortoise]]: Aim towards the machine gun port on the left side, there will be a weak point present.
 +
* [[105mm Gun Motor Carriage T95|T95]]: Aim towards one of the two commander cupolas on the roof. Try to aim at its side so that the penetrating shell can detonate inside and severely damage the crew.
 +
* [[Jagdpanzer VI Jagdtiger|Jagdtiger]]: A well-protected armoured beast. If caught in the front, try to engage it with HEAT shells, preferably at the lower glacis.
 +
* [[Medium Tank M26E1|M26E1]]: Though dangerous towards the ASU, its armour is similar to the [[Medium Tank M26 Pershing|M26 Pershing]] and could be easily taken out by a good shot on the front hull.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
−
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* Powerful 85 mm cannon, more powerful than the [[T-34-85]] ones
−
 
+
* Access to HEAT-FS rounds with 300mm penetration
 +
* Tiny profile
 +
* Decent ammo storage for size
 +
* Access to a coaxial machine gun
 +
* Medium gun muzzle velocity
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* Slow gun alignment
 +
* Barely any armour, MG rounds may penetrate
 +
* Reverse speed somewhat slow, hard to make hasty retreats.
 +
* Mediocre mobility
 +
* Bad gun depression
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
 +
===Development===
 +
A new assault gun was requested by the Armed Forces sometime before 1953. Due to the success of the [[ASU-57]], they tasked the OKB-40 design bureau headed by Nikolaj Astrov to design the vehicle. The design, designated ''Object 573'', was ready for tests in the latter half of 1953. Constant changes and improvement was made from the span of 1956 to 1957. The design used the chassis of the [[PT-76]] amphibious light tank design, though it did not have the same amphibious feature and had a new engine propelling it. The armament was an 85 mm D-70 gun derived from the 85 mm D-48 anti-tank gun. The design could carry 45 rounds inside and could fire a variety of rounds up to 1 km away. Secondary armament for the vehicle was a GMT or PKT coaxial machine gun. The improved design was going to accepted and enter production in 1958 as the ''SU-85'' (despite the existence of [[SU-85|a vehicle of the same name]]), but this was again delayed when the Ministry of Defense ordered an armoured roof to be installed. The design was to enter production in 1961, but by then the design was rather outdated for army forces usage. Thus, when the vehicle entered production, it was taken up by the VDV, the Soviet Airborne Forces, and renamed the '''ASU-85'''. The ASU-85 was produced from 1959 to 1966, while staying in service from 1959 all the way to 1993.
 +
 
 +
===Usage===
 +
The Soviet airborne forces primarily used the ASU-85 as a light infantry support/assault gun. Advancements in air-drop techniques and the advent of helicopters made its air deployment a more viable option in the early 1960s. The Soviet Union deployed 31 ASU-85s to each of its airborne divisions in and assault gun battalion. The Soviet Union used the ASU-85 during the Soviet-Afghan War with the airborne troops stationed there.
 +
 
 +
The ASU-85 was only given out to Poland and Vietnam. Poland used the ASU-85s in the same manner as the Soviet Union, with 31 vehicles in each airborne divisions. The ASU-85 are still in service in the Vietnamese military, with interests on improving their technical performances in early 2016.<ref name="JaneASU-85">Fisher, Richard D., Jr. "DSA 2016: Vietnam May Update Soviet Era ASU-85s." IHS Jane's 360, 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.</ref>
 +
 
 +
The ASU-85 also serves as the genesis of other support vehicles using the derived PT-76 chassis. The most notable vehicle using a similar chassis was the [[ZSU-23-4|ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"]] anti-aircraft system.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
 
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|y2G4K-5ZvDw|The ASU-85 in Soviet Airborne service}}
  
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* [http://warthunder.com/en/news/3733-development-asu-85-death-from-the-skies-en/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> ASU-85: Death from the Skies]
−
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
−
''ETC.''
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
* [Http://www.janes.com/article/59688/dsa-2016-vietnam-may-update-soviet-era-asu-85s [World News<nowiki>]</nowiki> Vietnam may update Soviet-era ASU-85s]
−
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
 
−
* ''other literature.''
+
{{USSR tank destroyers}}

Revision as of 19:16, 5 December 2018

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
ASU-85
ussr_asu_85.png
ASU-85
USSR flag.png USSR
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
6.3 6.3 6.3
Class:
Research:63 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:200 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage ASU-85.jpg


The ASU-85 is a Rank {[specs|rank}} Russian tank destroyer Template:BR1. It was introduced in Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows". It's low profile and extremely potent gun makes it a wonderful contender in the 6.7 BR range. However, the lack of armour makes it hard use this vehicle in open environments. Everything will become easier when you unlock the HEAT-FS shell with 300 mm penetration at any distance.

The ASU-85 has a rather unorthodox method of using it's smoke screen. Unlike most vehicles, which use smoke shells, singular canisters, or canister clusters, the ASU-85 uses two large drum like structures at the rear. When deployed, these will drop away, so it's relatively easy to tell from close range whether or not an ASU-85 has smoke or not, and how many it has.

Be wary of the this method of deployment, as due to the orientation of the drums, the smoke screen will actually form behind the tank, and take about 2-3 seconds to fully envelope you.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 45 mm (60°) Front glacis
45 mm (37°) Lower glacis
50 mm Driver port		 6 mm 6 mm (40°) Upper
6 mm (18°) Lower 		6 mm
Superstructure 45 mm (60°) Front glacis
100 mm Gun mantlet 		13 mm (37-38°) 6 mm 13 mm Front
6 mm Rear

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick, tracks are 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armour
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
15.9 N/A 49 (AB)
45 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 298 ___
Realistic/Simulator 186 210
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 18.74 21.03
Realistic/Simulator 11.70 13.21

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: D-70 (85 mm)
85 mm D-70
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
39 -4°/+15° ±15° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 4.2 __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Realistic 4.2 __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
11.2 __.__ __.__ __.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
BR-372 APBC 230 227 214 199 186 172
OF-372 HE 11 11 11 11 11 11
3BK7 HEATFS 300 300 300 300 300 300
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%
BR-372 APBC 1040 9.3 1.2 15 85 +4° 48° 63° 71°
OF-372 HE 1010 9.7 0.1 0.3 740 +0° 79° 80° 81°
3BK7 HEATFS 925 7.2 0.1 0.1 1,590 +0° 65° 72° 75°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks on the ASU-85.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
39 33 (+6) 26 (+13) 19 (+20) 13 (+26) 7 (+32) 1 (+38) No

Front empty: 26 (+13)
Sides only: 33 (+6)

Machine guns

Main article: SGMT (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm SGMT
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
2,000 (250) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

The stock shell is good. 230mm penetration is enough for weak spots in Rank IV. It is recommended to get the HEAT-FS shell as soon as possible for the ultimate 300 mm penetration for the vehicle. Beware of any incoming fire however, the armour is weak at only 45 mm thickest at the front. The mobility is mediocre, remember to cover flanks

  • Sniper: This tank doesn't surpass other snipers in Rank IV, due to the lack of armour. Utilize all possible mechanics to aid in acquiring and ranging the targets, especially the binoculars and range finder modification.
  • Ambush: Find somewhere in the map that you feel most of the fight will happen there, find a good view with nice covers at there. Or just sitting in some bushes near the flanking routes.

Some enemies to be concerned of:

  • Tiger II (P), (H), 105 mm: Shoot at the turret cheeks (only front weakspot). If the HEAT shell is available, shoot the HEAT straight into their hull.
  • Panther II: Use HEAT against hull if it is at a close range and is looking right at the vehicle. In a longer distance, try for the lower glacis and the turret cheeks
  • T29: Shoot the lower glacis if engaging it frontally. There are a few weak points in the front turret as well, look for them.
  • Caernavron: Fire at the turret ring and lower glacis.
  • A39 Tortoise: Aim towards the machine gun port on the left side, there will be a weak point present.
  • T95: Aim towards one of the two commander cupolas on the roof. Try to aim at its side so that the penetrating shell can detonate inside and severely damage the crew.
  • Jagdtiger: A well-protected armoured beast. If caught in the front, try to engage it with HEAT shells, preferably at the lower glacis.
  • M26E1: Though dangerous towards the ASU, its armour is similar to the M26 Pershing and could be easily taken out by a good shot on the front hull.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 85 mm cannon, more powerful than the T-34-85 ones
  • Access to HEAT-FS rounds with 300mm penetration
  • Tiny profile
  • Decent ammo storage for size
  • Access to a coaxial machine gun
  • Medium gun muzzle velocity

Cons:

  • Slow gun alignment
  • Barely any armour, MG rounds may penetrate
  • Reverse speed somewhat slow, hard to make hasty retreats.
  • Mediocre mobility
  • Bad gun depression

History

Development

A new assault gun was requested by the Armed Forces sometime before 1953. Due to the success of the ASU-57, they tasked the OKB-40 design bureau headed by Nikolaj Astrov to design the vehicle. The design, designated Object 573, was ready for tests in the latter half of 1953. Constant changes and improvement was made from the span of 1956 to 1957. The design used the chassis of the PT-76 amphibious light tank design, though it did not have the same amphibious feature and had a new engine propelling it. The armament was an 85 mm D-70 gun derived from the 85 mm D-48 anti-tank gun. The design could carry 45 rounds inside and could fire a variety of rounds up to 1 km away. Secondary armament for the vehicle was a GMT or PKT coaxial machine gun. The improved design was going to accepted and enter production in 1958 as the SU-85 (despite the existence of a vehicle of the same name), but this was again delayed when the Ministry of Defense ordered an armoured roof to be installed. The design was to enter production in 1961, but by then the design was rather outdated for army forces usage. Thus, when the vehicle entered production, it was taken up by the VDV, the Soviet Airborne Forces, and renamed the ASU-85. The ASU-85 was produced from 1959 to 1966, while staying in service from 1959 all the way to 1993.

Usage

The Soviet airborne forces primarily used the ASU-85 as a light infantry support/assault gun. Advancements in air-drop techniques and the advent of helicopters made its air deployment a more viable option in the early 1960s. The Soviet Union deployed 31 ASU-85s to each of its airborne divisions in and assault gun battalion. The Soviet Union used the ASU-85 during the Soviet-Afghan War with the airborne troops stationed there.

The ASU-85 was only given out to Poland and Vietnam. Poland used the ASU-85s in the same manner as the Soviet Union, with 31 vehicles in each airborne divisions. The ASU-85 are still in service in the Vietnamese military, with interests on improving their technical performances in early 2016.[1]

The ASU-85 also serves as the genesis of other support vehicles using the derived PT-76 chassis. The most notable vehicle using a similar chassis was the ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" anti-aircraft system.

Media

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

The ASU-85 in Soviet Airborne service

Read also

Sources


USSR tank destroyers
SU-76M  SU-76M · SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps) · SU-85A
SU-57B  SU-57B · SU-76D
T-34 Derivatives  SU-122 · SU-85 · SU-85M · SU-100 · SU-122P
Heavy Tank Derivatives  SU-100Y · ISU-122 · ISU-122S · SU-152 · ISU-152 · Object 268
SU-100P and Derivatives  SU-100P · Object 120
Wheeled  YaG-10 (29-K)
Airborne  ASU-57 · ASU-85
Rocket  BM-8-24 · BM-13N · BM-31-12
ATGM  IT-1 · Shturm-S · Object 775 · Khrizantema-S
Artillery  2S1 · 2S3M
Other  SU-5-1 · ZiS-30 · SU-122-54
USA  SU-57

  1. ↑ Fisher, Richard D., Jr. "DSA 2016: Vietnam May Update Soviet Era ASU-85s." IHS Jane's 360, 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.
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