IS-3

IS-3
IS-3 tank in a museum in Brussels
IS-3 tank in a museum in Brussels
TypeHeavy tank
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
In service1945 − 2002[1]
Used bySee Operators
Wars
Production history
Designed1944
ManufacturerFactory No.100 Kirovskiy Works
Unit cost350,000 Rbls[1]
Produced1945–47
No. built2,311[1]
VariantsIS-3M
Specifications
Mass45,800 kg (101,000 lb)
Length9.725 m (31.91 ft)
Width3.07 m (10.1 ft)
Height2.44 m (8 ft 0 in)
Crew4 (commander/radio operator, gunner, loader, driver)

Armor
  • 120 mm (4.7 in) at 55° (hull front)
  • 60 mm (2.4 in) at 60° (sides)
  • 25–45 mm (0.98–1.77 in) (roof)
  • 20–35 mm (0.79–1.38 in) (floor)
  • 60–90 mm (2.4–3.5 in) (rear)
  • 200 mm (7.9 in) (turret front mantlet)
Main
armament
122mm Gun D-25 (28 rounds)
Secondary
armament
  • 7.62mm DTM MG (coaxial, 1500 rounds)
  • 1 × 12.7mm DShK MG (AA, 250 rounds)
EngineV-2-IS (V2K) V-12 water-cooled diesel
520 hp (390 kW) at 2000 rpm
Power/weight11.35 hp/tonne (8.46 kW/tonne)
Transmission4 forward, 1 reverse
Suspensiontorsion bar
Ground clearance0.46 m (1 ft 6 in)
Fuel capacity520 L (110 imp gal; 140 US gal)
Operational
range
150 km (93 mi)
Maximum speed 37 km/h (23 mph)
References[2]

The IS-3 (also known as Object 703) is a Soviet heavy tank developed in late 1944. Its semi-hemispherical cast turret (resembling that of an upturned soup bowl) became the hallmark of post-war Soviet tanks. Its pike nose design would also be mirrored by other tanks of the IS tank family such as the IS-7 and T-10. Produced too late to see combat in World War II, the IS-3 participated in the Berlin Victory Parade of 1945, the Soviet invasion of Hungary, the Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, and one was used during the early stages of the Russo-Ukrainian War.

  1. ^ a b c Sewell 2002, p. 28.
  2. ^ Foss 1979, pp. 44−45.