IS-3



Overview


IS-3

Restored IS-3 on public display in 2010.
Source: Adamicz - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Heavy tank
Entered service
1945
Status
Obsolete
Development
1945
Developer
Soviet Union
Production
April 1945 - July 1946
Producer
Soviet Union - ChTZ (Chelyabinsk tractor factory)
Number produced
2.305
Designations
Obyekt 703 (GABTU index)
Kirovets-1 (design project)
Shchuka (nickname)
Russian for "pike"
IS-3 obr 1960 (IS-3M)
Notable users
Soviet Union
Egypt
North Korea

Description


Introduction

The IS-3 is an early Cold War era heavy tank of Soviet origin. It was developed at the later stages of World War 2, but was too late to be used in combat. It was first seen during Soviet victory parades in Berlin. The IS-3 is what is called a breakthrough tank in Soviet doctrine. The idea is to use long range gun fire while being impervious to return fire due to the heavy frontal armor package. Unlike other Soviet tanks the IS-3 is not for use against infantry.

Layout

The IS-3 is a further development of the IS-2. The chassis, automotive components and main armament are identical to late production IS-2. The armor package has been extensively redeveloped. The IS-3 look very menacing with its dome shaped turret and v-shaped glacis. The IS-3 lacked a stabilizer, night vision and quality fire control system. The later T-10 rectified these shortcomings.

Firepower

The IS-3 is armed with the powerful 122mm D-25T rifled tank gun. A total of 28 shells are carried. Shells and charges are loaded separately. The usual mix is 18 AP and 10 HE shells. There is no stabilizer. A 7.62mm DTM machine gun is fitted as a coaxial weapon. The 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun is fitted on the turret roof.

Protection

When introduced the IS-3 was nearly impervious to Allied/NATO tanks and anti-tank guns over the frontal arc. The IS-3 has very thick armor, with mantlet and turret front at 250 mm. Furthermore, the armor package is shaped in such a way to maximize armor protection. With the introduction of NATO main battle tanks with 105mm L7 cannon and more capable anti-tank guided weapons the main benefit of the IS-3 was negated.

Mobility

The IS-3 lacks in mobility. Top speed is rather low at 40 km/h on road, but the practical speed in the field is about 15 km/h. Fuel consumption is high. In temperate climate the V-2 diesel engine is quite reliable, but proved prone to overheating in the desert.

Users

The IS-3 was used by the Soviet Union. It was in frontline service in the 1950's and 1960's. It served in the reserve role until the 1980's. Egypt was the foremost export user. 100 IS-3M, without engine upgrade but with dust skirts, were used during the 1967 Six Day War. Some were captured by Israel.

Details


IS-3M

Frontal view of former Soviet IS-3M on public display in Russia.
Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin - © GNU Attribution Share Alike license

List of IS-3 variants

IS-3
Baseline production model of the IS-3 heavy tank.
IS-3K
Commander's version of the IS-3 heavy tank with additional R-112 radio set with 100 km range.
IS-3M
Upgrade of existing fleet of IS-3 in 1950's to 1960. Features structural modifications, passive IR for driver, DShKM heavy machine gun and R-113 short range radio. The 1960 upgrade adds the V-54K-IS engine derived from the T-54.
IS-3MK
Commander's version of IS-3M.
Facts IS-3
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Heavy tank
Crew
4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)
Dimensions
Weight
46.5 t combat load for IS-3
49 t combat load for IS-3M
Length
9.85 m overall
6.90 m hull
Width
3.15 m
Height
2.45 m to turret roof
Main armament
Type
122mm D-25T obr 1943 48-caliber rifled cannon
Mount
Main gun
Ammunition
28 shells
Elevation
-3° to +20°
Traverse
360°
Stabilizer
No
Coaxial armament
Type
7.62mm DTM machine gun
Mount
Coaxial
Ammunition
756 rounds, 63 ready to fire
Traverse
Elevation and traverse as main armament
Stabilizer
No
Secondary armament
Type
12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun
Mount
Pintle mount on turret roof
Ammunition
250 rounds, 50 ready to fire
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels
Layout
Idler front and driver sprocket rear
Ground pressure
0.85 - 0.87 kg/cm²
Suspension
Torsion bar
Automotive
Engine
V-2-IS diesel engine on IS-3
V-54K-IS diesel engine on IS-3M
Power output
520 hp at 2.200 rpm
Transmission
Manual, 4 forward, 1 reverse
Fuel
425 L + 360 L external
Mobility
Speed
40 km/h on road
16 km/h cross country
Range
315 km on road
150 km cross country
Power to weight ratio
11 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.45 m
Wall
1.0 m
Trench
2.5 m
Gradient
32 degrees
Fording
1.4 m
Protection
Armor type
Steel, cast and rolled
Glacis
110 mm at 55° to 72°
Hull sides
90 mm
Hull top
20 mm
Hull bottom
20 mm
Mantlet
250 mm
Turret front
250 mm
Turret sides
110 mm
Turret roof
20 mm
NBC system
None
Smoke system
None
Equipment
Night vision
Passive IR for driver in IS-3M
Radio
None in IS-3
R-113 in IS-3M
R-112 in IS-3K / KM

Media