ISU-152 (EPU-140-I) - A veteran's return

Suggestions Ground
1
Would you like to see this in-game?
  • Yes
  • No
0 voters
How would you like to see this in-game?
  • Tech tree (or Squadron)
  • Premium
  • Event (Event cycle, Battle Pass)
  • I do not want it
0 voters

Hello !

Today, I’d like to suggest the addition of yet another ISU-based test bed. This time, it would be an ISU-152 modified for the use of the 140 mm rocket launcher EPU-140-I.


The ISU-152 (N°3231) was converted between 1956 and 1957 by the VNII-100 and then trialed. It is part of a series of many converted ISUs.

History

Spoiler

Work began on the “object 280” in June 1956 at the Kirov factory, headed by Kotin himself. The goal of the project was to build an amphibious light rocket tank. To make work easier, it was decided to use the hull of the PT-76.
Basically, the 280 would be a PT-76 but with a rocket launcher in place of the turret. This rocket launcher would have 16 140 mm tubes armed with the familiar M-14-OF rockets, as on the BM-14.


This is what the 140 mm tubes looked like

A full-scale running mock-up of the 280 was built and trialed in early 1957 at the GNIAP GAU. While a prototype was meant to be built in the same year, most of the work was redirected on converting the T-10 with such rocket launchers, dubbed 281.


Blueprint of an ISU with the EPU-140 rocket launcher

Now, this is where the story pretty much ends as the 280 is then dropped and most of the work starts shifting to other vehicles.
However, to test out the 140 mm tube, an ISU-152 was converted with the EPU-140-I rocket launcher. Since the tank was a pure test bed, it lacked some of the features envisioned for later and more refined launchers like the EPU-140-II or the TRS series.


The TRS series went on to become one of the most important program as most tanks were at some point planned to use them, such as the 279 with a TRS-240

Specifications

Crew : 3 to 5

  • Driver
  • Gunner
  • Commander (it unlikely had one as it was a test bed)
  • Loader
  • Loader (it unlikely had two as the M-14-OF rocket could be handled by one man)

Armament

  • One 140 mm rocket launcher EPU-140-I

Ammo

Spoiler

The vehicle used the M-14-OF rocket. As for the ammo count, it is not known. However, below is the blueprint of the ISU with the TRS-152 launcher featuring projectiles of a similar size.

Sights : ST-10
Elevation : +20°/-2°

Dimensions

  • Weight : ~ 42,5 t (unlike the 46 t of the ISU-152)
  • Length : 6,54 m
  • Width : 3,07 m
  • Height : 2,87 m

Mobility

  • Engine : V-2IS (520 hp)
  • Top speed : 40 km/h / -15 km/h
  • Transmission : 4 forward / 1 reverse

Armor

Spoiler

Sources

  • Техника и Вооружение N°05/2019
  • Отечественные бронированные машины 1945-1965 гг. M.V. Pavlov, I.V. Pavlov
  • Missilery.info (M-14-OF)
10 Likes
2

kaboom

3 Likes
3

Soviet Sturmtiger (almost)! Will you be suggesting the TRS-152 as well?

1 Like
4

I definitely will suggest all of them ! I just need some more free time. :')

2 Likes
5

I look forward to it. :)

1 Like