The SU-85 was a tank destroyer that was used by the Soviet Union during World War II.
Description[]
The SU-85 was powered by a single Model W-2 Engine that was capable of propelling the vehicle at speeds of up to 47 km/h on roadways. The SU-85's operational range was limited to around 250 - 300 kilometers depending on how much time the vehicle spent on roads. Being based on the T-34's chassis, the SU-85 naturally had generally good mobility and had a mechanically stable platform with which to operate. While based on the T-34 frame, the SU-85 also borrowed components from other Soviet vehicles, namely the superstructure used by the SU-122.[1]
The armament of the SU-85 consisted of a single 85 mm DS-S-85 gun, derivative of the same anti-aircraft gun modified to be used in the T-34/85. While a variety of ammunition types from HE (High Explosive) to APCR (Armor Piercing Composite Rigid) could be used, the SU-85 lacked any real defense against infantry. Though not necessarily pertinent to the vehicle's main function of fighting German armor, it would be a drawback in combat. As with most Soviet tanks of the time, the fighting compartment within the SU-85 is cramped, though sufficient for a crew of only four.
Variants[]
The first and only World War II variant of the SU-85 was the SU-85M, a variant designed to improve the combat performance of the vehicle by improving the operating space for the crew. Namely, the superstructure of the SU-122 was instead swapped out for that of the SU-100 and the commander was given a new cupola modeled after that of the T-34/85.[2] As a result of a larger operating space, the carrying capacity of the SU-85M was much improved, increasing the total ammunition count from a maximum of 48 to 60 rounds.
History[]
Development[]
The SU-85 was designed by the team of S. N. Machinowa, L. I. Gorlickiego, and L. S. Trojanowa in 1943 as a direct response by the Soviet development bureau to reports of new and more fearsome German tanks such as the Tiger and the then under development Panther.
Combat Service[]
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References[]
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