War Plans Division

08/05/2026

Due to equipment losses, Russia has fielded several Ad Hoc weapon systems in Ukraine. However, one of the more unusual systems to see recent use is the RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher as a land-based MLRS (multiple launch rocket system).

The RBU-6000 is a 213mm rocket launcher designed to fire salvos of depth-charges against submarines. The rockets have a high-explosive warhead of 23kg (50.7lbs) and have a maximum range of 5,500m (3.5 miles) at sea though the land-based launchers might be using different rockets for longer ranges. Each mount has a total of twelve launchers, allowing for extensive salvos to be launch.

The RBU-6000 first entered service in 1960 and was the most widespread anti-submarine weapon systems used in the Soviet Navy. Though newer weapons have been introduced, the RBU-6000 continues to see use in the modern Russian Navy.

The RBU-6000s being used in Ukraine have been mounted on a variety of vehicles. Lighter Ural trucks have been seen with cutdown RBU-6000 launchers, having half the rockets removed to save weight. Larger vehicles, such as the MT-LB tractor even the chassis from the T-80 main battle tank, have been fitted with the full RBU-6000 mounts.

07/26/2026

A M18 Hellcat provides fire support as it assists infantry during the advance into Wiesloch, Germany on 1 April 1945.

While the 76mm gun used by the M18 was effective in the anti-tank role, it was less effective in the fire support role. This was due to the smaller explosive charge of the 76mm gun compared to the 75mm or 105mm weapons used on other tanks. Of course, this didn't matter to the infantry who were likely appreciative of the extra firepower available to them.

07/19/2026

A Marder III (Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7,62 cm PaK 36(r) (Sd.Kfz. 139)) in action during late Summer of 1942.

The initial Marder III combined the chassis of the Panzer 38(t) tank with the Soviet 76mm M1936 (F-22) divisional gun of which large numbers were captured by Germany. The weapon was carried atop the hull with shields providing some protected to the front and sides.

The design of the Marder III left the crew exposed against artillery, strafing attacks, and in urban environments. However, when deployed in situations where they could utilize their strengths, they were very effective in the anti-tank role. They could engage most Allied tanks at normal combat ranges and were mechanically reliable.

07/01/2026

A dramatic photograph of a M4 Sherman flamerthrower tank discharging a stream of flame. The photo was said to have been taken near Zweifall, Germany in November of 1944.

06/21/2026

The Matilda Hedgehog was one of the more unusual blendings of Army and Navy technology.

Developed by Australia during the Second World War, the Matilda Hedgehog (Official Name: Matilda Projector, Hedgehog, No. 1 Mark I) was designed to provide a cheap, yet effective demolition vehicle for neutralizing bunkers and other obstacles.

Development began in early 1945 and used the standard Infantry Tank Mark II, better known as the Matilda, as the basis. While outdated in Europe, the Matilda was still very effective in the Pacific and was well-liked by the Australians.

To improve firepower, the Australians fitted the Matilda with a Hedgehog spigot mortar. The Hedgehog was originally built as an anti-submarine mortar system (seen in the third photo in this capacity), but Australia believed it would function as a demolition weapon thanks to its explosive power, simple design, and abundant amount of ammunition.

The Hedgehog Matilda carried a seven-round box launcher on the engine deck. The launcher could be elevated, but not trained. To aim the weapon to the sides, the tank would have to rotate itself using its tracks. The mortar, firing over the length of the tank, had a range of 182m (199 yards).

Trials were conducted in May of 1945 and were judged to be satisfactory. While accuracy was not spectacular given the crude nature of aiming, the explosive power of the mortars (16kg or 35lbs of explosive each) made up for this.

Widespread adoption of the tank was supposed to begin following these successful trials. However, the Second World War ended before this could begin.

06/18/2026

Civil War Veterans attending the Minnesota State Fair are shown current weaponry utilized by the United States Army by Col. Harry J. Keeley who was then the post commander at Fort Snelling.

The veterans were Louis E. Quint, who was 96, Henry Mack, who was 106, and Watts W. Hubbard, who was 95. Henry Mack, who lived to be 108, was the oldest Civil War soldier.

The photo was dated as "1940s" but was likely taken in 1943 given the ages of the veterans provided.

06/15/2026

A Swedish Stridsvagn 103 digs itself a hull down position using its dozer blade.

Originally, a select number of Stridsvagn 103s (Strv 103) or S-tanks as they were popularly known, were fitted with the dozer blade. One in every three tanks was fitted with a dozer blade, enough for one tank per platoon. This vehicle would be responsible for preparing positions for the rest of the platoon.

However, this system was found to be a bit slow and it was decided to upgrade all tanks with their own dozer blade. This was carried out as tanks were upgraded to the Striv 103c variant.

This upgrade greatly improved the speed in which entire tank platoons could set up firing positions. Another benefit was that the dozer blade provided additional protection to the lower bull.

06/14/2026

A prototype Gun Motor Carriage T77 undergoing trials on 23 July 1945.

The T77 was an anti-aircraft vehicle combining the chassis of the24 Chaffee light tank with a new turret housing six .50 caliber machine guns. While successful in testing, the T77 was passed over in favor of the T65E1 which was an M24 chassis carrying two 40mm Bofors. The T65E1 would be adopted by the Army as the M19 Gun Motor Carriage.

06/10/2026

05/30/2026

Zimmerit

You might have noticed that many German tanks during the Second World War had a textured coating on their hulls and turrets. This texture was from a compound known as Zimmerit.

Zimmerit was a countermeasure against magnetic anti-tank mines. Ironically, Germany was the most prolific user of magnetic anti-tank mines and, as such, developed ways to counter them.

Zimmerit was amazingly simple. All it did was provide a non-magnetic barrier between the mine and the steel hull of the tank. The textured pattern was little more than a method to increase the distance further. The goal was to put enough space between the mine and the hull that it could not properly adhere.

Zimmerit was made from a mixture of paste, sawdust, Barium sulfate, and other minor ingredients. It was applied to tank hulls, using towels and other tools to create the texture, and then hardened with a torch.

Zimmerit was introduced in 1943 and worked well in its intended role. However, its use was discontinued a year later due to reports that it caught fire when struck. This was later proven to be untrue, but the use of zimmerit was never restarted.

Photo from the German Archives
Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-680-8282A-09 / Faupel / CC-BY-SA 3.0