August 12, 2013
We Are SO Down With This!
It looks like Russia is trying to popularize tankery.
Now that's a headline that cries out to be double checked so I did and well.... Sure enough.
Russia is challenging the US to compete in a "Tank Biathalon".
Note that Germany and Italy have already agreed to attend.
Of course this being Europe I suspect that the few US civilian tank paintball teams will not be able to participate. (this is a rather different set of rules anyway). BUT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO HAVING HIGH SCHOOL TANK TEAMS!
It's also a neat and a decent (if bizarre) gesture given the current diplomatic 'issues'.
However, the POTUS is in such a snit over Snowden that I'd be surprised if he accepted the invite.
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Now that's a headline that cries out to be double checked so I did and well.... Sure enough.
Russia is challenging the US to compete in a "Tank Biathalon".
"In the tank biathlon, every tank runs almost 20 kilometres at a maximum possible speed, while firing from all weapons the targets, which are rising in different directions and distances. On the course, a tank has to pass repeatedly a ford, fences, a rut bridge, high-speed sections and overtaking passages. At all the times, the crew remains constantly in the firing position."
Note that Germany and Italy have already agreed to attend.
No word on the Japanese.
Of course this being Europe I suspect that the few US civilian tank paintball teams will not be able to participate. (this is a rather different set of rules anyway). BUT THIS IS THE FIRST STEP TO HAVING HIGH SCHOOL TANK TEAMS!
It's also a neat and a decent (if bizarre) gesture given the current diplomatic 'issues'.
However, the POTUS is in such a snit over Snowden that I'd be surprised if he accepted the invite.
Posted by: The Brickmuppet at
04:50 AM
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This kind of thing has been going on for quite a while, actually, though I'm not sure the Russians have been involved in it.
I wonder if the Americans will be permitted to use the Stryker?
Posted by: Steven Den Beste at Mon Aug 12 09:50:07 2013 (+rSRq)
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I watched the first run, after being reminded about it by people on Russian military forums. Or, more precisely, by the overflowing rage. The crews missed way too many shots in fairly benign conditions. The weather was good, they shot from a stop... and yet... Out of 4 guided shell shots, only 1 hit the target. Ironically, shooting with regular ammo worked better. Nonetheless, some crews managed to miss all allowed shots (4 or 6 loads), hitting the same place. Forumers took it as poor work of commander, who should've helped the shooter to correct for offset sighting.
There was a lot of other hilarity, too. Apparently crews were pulled from each of military districts. They were supposed to be best at their job, but they had to use unfamiliar equipment and teamwork was limping. In some cases, they were taken off different tanks, although in an odd reversal the best driver was just the guy who had to switch from T-80 to T-72 for the competition. He was much faster than the competition, but made a mistake at the narrow bridge, perhaps because he wasn't used to a different position in T-72. In a funnier case, crews forgot to close hatches before fording and received a shower of muddy water.
Sergei Shoygu, current Minister of Defence, watched the proceedings and apparently was displeased.
There was a lot of other hilarity, too. Apparently crews were pulled from each of military districts. They were supposed to be best at their job, but they had to use unfamiliar equipment and teamwork was limping. In some cases, they were taken off different tanks, although in an odd reversal the best driver was just the guy who had to switch from T-80 to T-72 for the competition. He was much faster than the competition, but made a mistake at the narrow bridge, perhaps because he wasn't used to a different position in T-72. In a funnier case, crews forgot to close hatches before fording and received a shower of muddy water.
Sergei Shoygu, current Minister of Defence, watched the proceedings and apparently was displeased.
Posted by: Pete Zaitcev at Wed Sep 18 00:21:46 2013 (RqRa5)
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