T-10 / IS-10 (Iosif Stalin / Josef Stalin)

The T-10 was the last of the Josef Stalin heavy-caliber, heavy-armor tank
designs dating back to the Second World War.

Designation: T-10 / IS-10 (Iosif Stalin / Josef Stalin)
Classification Type: Heavy Tank
Contractor: State Factories - USSR
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1953
Number Built: 8,000

The T-10 can be considered the pinnacle "Josef Stalin" tank design as it is
the tank that superseded previous forms and became the final product of the
series. It sported an all new main gun, redesigned body and turret and put
upon itself all of the lessons learned through armored conflict in World War
2. The tank was of a heavy classification and was such an outstanding and
well-regarded design that the last known operational usage of the T-10 was
reported in 1996.

Outwardly, the T-10 was similar to the preceding IS (Josef Stalin) tank
series with a rounded turret placed forward of the hull design and had more
in common with the IS-3 than other previous forms. The T-10 featured an all
new turret and main gun armament along with a redesigned hull and improved
engine performance. A crew of four personnel operated the machine with the
drive in the front hull and the commander, loader and gunner in the turret
in traditional Soviet tank design fashion (commander and gunner on left and
the loader on the right inside the turret - contrasting Western design
placement). Power was derived from a single 12 cylinder diesel generating
around 700 horsepower. Armor protection was excellent, reach some 10 inches
at its thickest.

The T-10 appeared in two supplementary forms with subtle modifications as
the T-10A and the T-10B. The final version in the series would be the T-10M,
which fitted a longer M-62-T2 (L/43) main gun. This particular version also
featured a new muzzle brake, NBC protection for the crew and infra-red
nightvision. Additionally, self-defense machine gun protection was improved
allowing for an optional 12.7mm anti-aircraft DShK machine gun to be
installed.

The T-10 performed as expected and was well-regarded. It saw action with
Egyptian forces against Israel in the Six Day War, losing many examples to
Israeli control - to which the very same systems were used to guard the Suez
Canal from Egyptian encroachment. Production of the T-10 ended in 1966, to
which some 2,500 examples appeared overall, and were the last of the Soviet
heavy tanks when that classification type fell out of favor with Red Army
needs.

Variants:
IS-9 - Josef Stalin Heavy Tank Prototype following the IS-1 through IS-8
models; accepted into production as the T-10.
IS-10 - Initial Designation based on the similar "IS - Josef Stalin"
designations preceding it until Stalin fell out of favor.
T-10 - Base Production Model Series Designation.
T-10A - Fitted with two-axis main gun stabilizer.
T-10B - Improved gun stabilization system and sighting equipment.
T-10M - Fitted with longer M-62-T2 (L/43) main gun; redesigned muzzle brake;
two-axis gun stabilizer; NBC protection; improved self-defense machine guns.

Specifications: T-10 / IS-10 (Iosif Stalin / Josef Stalin)
Dimensions:
Length: 32.41ft (9.88m)
Width:11.71ft (3.57m)
Height: 7.38ft (2.25m)
Performance:
Speed: 26mph (42km/h)
Range: 155miles (250km)

Structure:
Accommodation: 4
Weight: 57.3 US Short Tons (52,000kg)
Systems:
NBC Protection: Yes (T-10M model)
Nightvision: Infra-red (T-10M model)
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x V2 -IS 12-cylinder diesel engine delivering 690hp.

Armament & Ammunition:

1 x 122mm D-74 main gun
2 x 14.5mm KPV machine guns

OPTIONAL:
1 x 12.7 DShK anti-aircraft machine gun