Improving Tank Mobility Mechanics: New Steering Mechanisms & Engine Refinements
EXPERIMENTALMajor overhaul of tank steering mechanics and turboshaft engine torque curves for the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2, and Soviet T-series.
Key Changes
- 1Accurate full-throttle torque curves implemented for all turboshaft engines
- 2Removal of artificial intermediate gears for turboshaft-powered tanks
- 3New Double Differential steering system for Abrams and Leopard 2 (Testing)
- 4Dual Transmission mechanics for Soviet T-series tanks (Testing)
- 5Planetary Steering added to T-54 and T-44 for improved handling
- 6New downshift mechanic added to reduce turning radius when braking
- 7Gear-dependent turning radii implemented for advanced steering systems
- 8Independent track braking enabled for planetary steering systems
All Changes
📅Coming Soon(8)
- changeDouble Differential Steering: Double differential steering mechanism implemented for testing, splitting torque between the gearbox and steering differential.
- changeDual Transmission Steering: Dual transmission steering implemented for testing, featuring separate gearboxes for each track to allow inner tracks to shift into lower gears.
- newDownshift Mechanic: New downshift feature triggers when braking or reversing while turning to reduce turning radius.
- changeDouble Differential Steering: Pivot speed and time to complete a pivot adjusted for vehicles with double differential systems.
- changeDouble Differential Steering: Turning radius for double differential systems now increases based on the engaged gear (e.g., M1A1 varies from 5.8m in 1st to 26.9m in 4th).
- removeDouble Differential Steering: Independent track braking removed for vehicles utilizing double differential steering due to mechanical design constraints.
- changeDual Transmission Steering: Turning radius for T-64 and T-72 now varies by gear: 1st (2.79m), 2nd (6.04m), 3rd (13.42m), 4th (13.93m), 5th (10.23m), 6th (10.1m), 7th (8.76m).
- changeDual Transmission Steering: Turning radius for T-80 now varies by gear: 1st (2.8m), 2nd (5.55m), 3rd (8.63m), 4th (8.86m).
⚙️Vehicle Mechanics(4)
- newPlanetary Steering: Planetary steering mechanism added, utilizing reduction gears for wide turns and track braking for tight turns.
- buffPlanetary Steering: Independent braking of left and right tracks enabled for vehicles with planetary steering mechanisms.
- changeTurboshaft Engines: Accurate full-throttle performance curves implemented for turboshaft engines, providing peak torque at low RPM.
- changeTurboshaft Engines: Intermediate gears removed from turboshaft-powered tanks as they are no longer needed to emulate engine behavior.
🚜Ground Vehicles(14)
- changeM1 Abrams: All variants receiving Double Differential steering testing.
- changeTKX: Receiving Double Differential steering testing.
- changeType 10: Receiving Double Differential steering testing.
- changeType 90: Receiving Double Differential steering testing.
- changeAMX-32: Receiving Double Differential steering testing.
- changeAMX-30: All platform variants receiving Double Differential steering testing.
- changeLeopard 2: All platform variants (except 2K) receiving Double Differential steering testing.
- changeLeopard 2K: Double differential steering intentionally omitted to serve as a handling baseline.
- changeT-64: Receiving Dual Transmission steering testing.
- changeT-72: Receiving Dual Transmission steering testing.
- changeT-80: Receiving Dual Transmission steering testing.
- changeT-90: Receiving Dual Transmission steering testing.
- changeT-54: Receiving Planetary Steering mechanism.
- changeT-44: Receiving Planetary Steering mechanism.
Summary
Steering Mechanisms
War Thunder is introducing three advanced steering systems to better replicate real-world tank behavior. Double Differential systems (Abrams, Leopard 2) now feature gear-dependent turning radii and improved speed retention but lose independent track braking. Dual Transmission systems (T-64, T-72, T-80) now simulate separate gearboxes for each track, allowing for smoother turns. Planetary Steering (T-54, T-44) allows for wide-radius turns via reduction gears or tight turns via track braking.
Engine Refinements
Turboshaft engines have been updated with accurate full-throttle performance curves, reflecting their ability to produce maximum torque at low RPM. This change removes the need for artificial intermediate gears in tanks equipped with torque converters and turboshaft engines.