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ISU-152

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ISU-152

AnnoR47_ISU-152.png
Battle Tier
1234567891011
Overview
Mouse over "
Well, the ones further down, of course.
" for more information
[Client Values; Actual values in
Specifically, the mismatch in crew values caused by commander's 10% crew skill bonus. Outside of a crew of 1 commander only, 100% crew is a fiction. The client values, given for 100% crew, will normally be taken into battle with 110% crew skill members aside from specific functions, causing their actual performance to deviate from the expected client value. These differences are taken into account in tooltip boxes.
]
2,520,000  Credits Cost
1200240 HP Hit Points
45.73/48.619.19/54.4 t Weight Limit
Crew
  1. Commander (Radio Operator)
  2. Gunner
  3. Driver
  4. Loader
  5. Loader
Mobility
600700 hp Engine Power
43/12 km/h Speed Limit
1821 deg/s Traverse
13.1236.48 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio
YesYes Pivot
Armor
// mm Hull Armor
Armament







{{#ifeq:HOLLOW_CHARGE|ARMOR_PIERCING||



{{#ifeq:HIGH_EXPLOSIVE|ARMOR_PIERCING||


AP/HEAT/HE







{{#ifeq:ARMOR_PIERCING_CR|ARMOR_PIERCING||



{{#ifeq:HIGH_EXPLOSIVE|ARMOR_PIERCING||


AP/APCR/HE
Shells




















725/6000/810




















1650/4800/1120
Shell Cost
700/700/910750/750/950 HP Damage
135/250/86260/292/90 mm Penetration



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3.51 r/m 

Standard Gun

Reload Times
Nominal: 17.1 s
50% Crew: 21.18 s
75% Crew: 18.5 s
100% Crew: 16.4 s
Rammer: 14.76 s
Vents: 16.04 s
Both: 14.43 s
Both and BiA: 14.12 s
Both and Max Crew %: 13.54 s

See Crew, Consumables, or Equipment for more information.



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3.41 r/m 

Standard Gun

Reload Times
Nominal: 17.6 s
50% Crew: 21.8 s
75% Crew: 19.04 s
100% Crew: 16.88 s
Rammer: 15.19 s
Vents: 16.51 s
Both: 14.86 s
Both and BiA: 14.53 s
Both and Max Crew %: 13.93 s

See Crew, Consumables, or Equipment for more information.
Rate of Fire






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2457

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 1 (700 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 2457
50% Crew: 1981
75% Crew: 2275
100% Crew: 2562
100% Crew
Vents: 2618
Rammer: 2849
Both: 2912
Both and BiA: 2975
Both and Max Crew %: 3101

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 3157
50% Crew: 2681
75% Crew: 2975
100% Crew: 3262
100% Crew
Rammer: 3549
Vents: 3318
Both: 3612
Both and BiA: 3675
Both and Max Crew %: 3801

See here, here, or here for more information.

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 2 (700 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 2457
50% Crew: 1981
75% Crew: 2275
100% Crew: 2562
100% Crew
Vents: 2618
Rammer: 2849
Both: 2912
Both and BiA: 2975
Both and Max Crew %: 3101

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 3157
50% Crew: 2681
75% Crew: 2975
100% Crew: 3262
100% Crew
Rammer: 3549
Vents: 3318
Both: 3612
Both and BiA: 3675
Both and Max Crew %: 3801

See here, here, or here for more information.

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 3 (910 Damage):
With wholly penetrating hits

Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 3194.1
50% Crew: 2575.3
75% Crew: 2957.5
100% Crew: 3330.6
100% Crew
Vents: 3403.4
Rammer: 3703.7
Both: 3785.6
Both and BiA: 3867.5
Both and Max Crew %: 4031.3

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 4104.1
50% Crew: 3485.3
75% Crew: 3867.5
100% Crew: 4240.6
100% Crew
Rammer: 4613.7
Vents: 4313.4
Both: 4695.6
Both and BiA: 4777.5
Both and Max Crew %: 4941.3

See here, here, or here for more information.






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2557.5

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 1 (750 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 2557.5
50% Crew: 2062.5
75% Crew: 2362.5
100% Crew: 2670
100% Crew
Vents: 2730
Rammer: 2970
Both: 3030
Both and BiA: 3097.5
Both and Max Crew %: 3232.5

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 3307.5
50% Crew: 2812.5
75% Crew: 3112.5
100% Crew: 3420
100% Crew
Rammer: 3720
Vents: 3480
Both: 3780
Both and BiA: 3847.5
Both and Max Crew %: 3982.5

See here, here, or here for more information.

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 2 (750 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 2557.5
50% Crew: 2062.5
75% Crew: 2362.5
100% Crew: 2670
100% Crew
Vents: 2730
Rammer: 2970
Both: 3030
Both and BiA: 3097.5
Both and Max Crew %: 3232.5

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 3307.5
50% Crew: 2812.5
75% Crew: 3112.5
100% Crew: 3420
100% Crew
Rammer: 3720
Vents: 3480
Both: 3780
Both and BiA: 3847.5
Both and Max Crew %: 3982.5

See here, here, or here for more information.

Standard Gun

Using Shell Type 3 (950 Damage):
With wholly penetrating hits

Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal DPM: 3239.5
50% Crew: 2612.5
75% Crew: 2992.5
100% Crew: 3382
100% Crew
Vents: 3458
Rammer: 3762
Both: 3838
Both and BiA: 3923.5
Both and Max Crew %: 4094.5

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
First-shot DPM: 4189.5
50% Crew: 3562.5
75% Crew: 3942.5
100% Crew: 4332
100% Crew
Rammer: 4712
Vents: 4408
Both: 4788
Both and BiA: 4873.5
Both and Max Crew %: 5044.5

See here, here, or here for more information.
Damage Per Minute


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0.48 m 

With 50% Crew: 0.595 m
With 75% Crew: 0.519 m
With 100% Crew: 0.46 m
With BiA: 0.45 m
With BiA and Vents: 0.44 m
Maximum possible: 0.422 m

For more details, see Crew


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0.41 m 

With 50% Crew: 0.508 m
With 75% Crew: 0.443 m
With 100% Crew: 0.393 m
With BiA: 0.384 m
With BiA and Vents: 0.376 m
Maximum possible: 0.361 m

For more details, see Crew
Accuracy


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3.4 s 

With 50% Crew: 4.212 s
With 75% Crew: 3.678 s
With 100% Crew: 3.26 s
With GLD: 2.964 s
With BiA: 3.188 s
With BiA and Vents: 3.119 s
With both and GLD: 2.835 s
Maximum possible: 2.718 s

For more details, see Crew or Equipment


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3.4 s 

With 50% Crew: 4.212 s
With 75% Crew: 3.678 s
With 100% Crew: 3.26 s
With GLD: 2.964 s
With BiA: 3.188 s
With BiA and Vents: 3.119 s
With both and GLD: 2.835 s
Maximum possible: 2.718 s

For more details, see Crew or Equipment
Aim time
2626 deg/s Gun Traverse Speed
16° Gun Arc
-6°/+18°-6°/+18° Elevation Arc
2620 rounds Ammo Capacity
General
1512 % Chance of Fire






350 m 

With 50% Crew: 275 m
With 75% Crew: 312.5 m
With 100% Crew: 350 m
With Recon and Situational Awareness: 367.7 m
With Coated Optics: 385 m
With Binocular Telescope: 437.5 m
Maximum possible: 501.1 m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment






350 m 

With 50% Crew: 275 m
With 75% Crew: 312.5 m
With 100% Crew: 350 m
With Recon and Situational Awareness: 367.7 m
With Coated Optics: 385 m
With Binocular Telescope: 437.5 m
Maximum possible: 501.1 m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment
View Range


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360 m 

With 50% Crew: 282.8 m
With 75% Crew: 321.5 m
With 100% Crew: 360 m
With 100% Signal Boost: 432 m
When affected by 100% Relaying: 396 m
Maximum possible: 518 m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment


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625 m 

With 50% Crew: 491.1 m
With 75% Crew: 558.1 m
With 100% Crew: 625 m
With 100% Signal Boost: 750 m
When affected by 100% Relaying: 687.5 m
Maximum possible: 899.3 m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment
Signal Range
Values are Stock - click for Top

Additional Statistics
(Top Configuration)

Camouflage

  • Stationary: 15.4%
  • When Moving: 9.1%
  • When Firing: 3.7%


Terrain Resistance

  • On Hard Ground: 1.06
  • On Medium Ground: 1.34
  • On Soft Ground: 2.21


Dispersion Change Values

  • Turret Contribution
  • Rotation: 0.08
  • Shot Recoil: 3.84
  • Suspension Contribution
  • Acceleration: 0.19
  • Turning: 0.19


With 100% Crew

VIII

AnnoR47_ISU-152.png

2520000

The ISU-152 is a Soviet tier 8 tank destroyer.

Developed on the basis of the IS tank. The ISU-152 was conceived as a replacement for the SU-152, which was based on the KV-1s chassis. A total of 4,635 vehicles were built from November 1943 through June 1945.

One of the most difficult tanks in the game to resist the urge of an aggressive play style, largely due to its top gun which packs an incredible punch for its tier, the ISU-152 is still not recommended for front-line duty. While being an immense threat to the enemy team when equipped with its top gun, the D-4S, it will only serve as a shot magnet which will indubitably draw the bulk of the enemy's attention and fire onto your tank. And should you find yourself the main target of enemy guns, the laughably thin armor of the ISU-152 will ensure a speedy confrontation and an early grave for your vehicle. Instead, the ISU-152 exceptionally fulfills the traditional role of an ambushing tank destroyer as well as that of a fire-support vehicle if accompanied by more heavily armored allied tanks. In addition to its poor armor and while fearsome, the D-4S main gun of the ISU-152 is a mixed blessing due to its average accuracy, significant aim time and a long reload. But the above average penetration combined with its phenomenal alpha damage output will ensure that should your shell find its target, it will cause tremendous damage if not a one-shot kill. Due to these aspects, the player of the ISU-152 should employ a crew which is first and foremost proficient in camouflage. This tank has a very good camouflage rating and will sorely need to stay out of sight for as long as possible when engaging the enemy in order to avoid being shelled. Artillery will have no problem decimating your hit point count and it is inadvisable to allow it the chance to do so. In short, a skilled player of the ISU-152 will know the most advantageous position which either masks the tank well or provides enough cover for a successful ambush while they in turn have a clear line of sight on an advancing enemy team. If these requirements are met, the ISU-152 will be a merciless opponent, annihilating anything foolish enough to get in front of its main gun and becoming a main contributor to its team.

The ISU-152 leads to the Object 704.

Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables

Modules

Ico_gun_alpha.png

Guns

Tier Gun Penetration
(mm)
Damage
(HP)
Rate of fire
(rounds/minute)
Dispersion
(m/100m)
Aiming time
(s)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

VI 152 mm ML-20S 135/250/86 700/700/910 3.51 0.48 3.4 2500 53880
IX 122 mm BL-9S 225/265/68 390/390/530 6.9 0.38 2.9 2590 178500
X 152 mm D-4S 260/292/90 750/750/950 3.41 0.41 3.4 6000 305000

Ico_engine_alpha.png

Engines

Tier Engine Engine Power
(hp)
Chance of Fire on Impact
(%)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

VII V-2IS 600 15 750 36000
IX V-2-54IS 700 12 700 79290

Ico_suspension_alpha.png

Suspensions

Tier Suspension Load Limit
(т)
Traverse Speed
(gr/sec)
Rmin Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

VII ISU-152 48.6 18 0 12000 22040
VIII ISU-152M 54.4 21 0 12000 34100

Ico_radio_alpha.png

Radios

Tier Radio Signal Range
(m)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

V 10R 360 100 3660
VII 10RK 440 100 18600
IX 12RT 625 110 33600

Compatible Equipment

Low Noise Exhaust System Class 1 Heavy Spall Liner Camouflage Net Class 2 Coated Optics Class 1 Experimental Optics Wear-Resistant Gun Laying Drive Improved Configuration Venting System Innovative Loading System Enhanced Gun Laying Drive Class 1 Improved Hardening Class 1 Additional Grousers Class 1 Modified Configuration Class 1 Improved Rotation Mechanism Class 1 Improved Aiming Class 1 Improved Ventilation Class 1 Binocular Telescope Class 1 Gun Rammer Class 1 Turbocharger Class 1 

Compatible Consumables

Automatic Fire Extinguisher Natural Cover Optical Calibration Aim Tuning Experienced Firefighters Manual Fire Extinguisher Pre-Battle Maintenance Vent Purge Large First Aid Kit Large Repair Kit Duty Comes First Lend-Lease Oil Shell Organizer Orderly Ammo Rack Focus on Target Extra Combat Rations Removed Speed Governor Increased Focus Small First Aid Kit Small Repair Kit Gearbox Intricacy Steady Hand Combat Course 


Player Opinion

Pros and Cons

Pros:


  • Huge alpha damage (Best in tier-class) with decent penetration.
  • Surprisingly decent gun handling and very good DPM for such a large caliber gun.
  • Decent top speed, can be reached fairly reliably.
  • Good camouflage values.
  • Can be a threat to any tank regardless of tier spread, thanks to its top gun.


Cons:


  • A glass cannon - poor armor and frequent module/crew critical damage.
  • Poor reload speed, aim time, accuracy, and shell velocity, unreliable at higher tiers. Penetration drop off for its APCR its
  • Limited gun depression and horizontal guidance.
  • Poor reverse speed and hull traverse, easily overwhelmed and/or flanked.
  • Low ammo capacity.


Performance

Stock, it comes with the same gun on the SU-152, at a tier higher. The 122mm BL-9S is not the greatest TD gun, but still has more than enough penetration for a stock-ish gun.

The mighty D-4S makes you a threat that no tank can safely ignore, but the gun's own temperamental nature can severely limit your performance. Accuracy, penetration, and damage dealt can all fluctuate wildly, and the same gun that can sometimes 3-shot the overpowered Object 268 Version 4 one minute can and often will be completely missing TOG's at 100m, failing to penetrate scout tanks, and dishing out repeated sub-600 damage rolls the very next. Penetrations with the D-4S standard AP rounds are a bit odd because on paper, 260mm of penetration is still enough to go through nearly any armor you come across, but unlike the BL-10 that used to be available on this tank, you'll have to be more mindful of shot placement. Shells will still overmatch thin, angled armor, but be prepared to see opponents' tracks and spaced armor eat more shots because of its lower penetration compared to the BL-10. Tricky, low-percentage shots are strongly discouraged, unless you have absolutely no other option. This is not to say, however, that the D-4S is inaccurate. It can chooses to thread the most impossible shot imaginable with no effort at all if fully aimed. The D-4S can be best described as 'moody' (or as least as much as a piece of digital code can be) without at any point sounding ironic, and it is entirely possible to have one game where nothing can stand before you, only to have a 10% hit rate the next.

As for equipment, hands down get the Large Caliber Tank Gun Rammer and Improved Ventilation. These two together increase your RoF by 15%, and with 100% crew, you'll be firing 25% faster than the advertised 3.41 RoF, which leads you to about 4.1 RoF, which is a shot every 14 seconds compared to a shot every 18 seconds. With those two pieces of equipment, you can fire an extra shot every 4 shots you fire. Your last slot should either be a Camo Net to improve your stealth or a Gun Laying Drive to improve the abysmal aiming time. With the recent nerf to view-range, Binocs are much less effective now. You'll need to rely on teammates to spot enemies, or be prepared to use your good speed to close the distance and deliver some up close and personal punishment.


Early Research

  • The 12RT radio carries over from the SU-152
  • If you upgraded the Tier 7 IS heavy tank, the V-2-54IS engine should be available
  • Research the suspensions
  • Research the 122mm BL-9S gun
  • Research the mighty 152mm D-4S gun, it's this tank's main feature
  • If not already available, research the top engine


Suggested Equipment


Improved VentilationTank Gun Rammer Enhanced Gun Laying Drive Camouflage Net Binocular Telescope 


Gallery

Historical Info

Karlshorst, Berlin, Germany

ISU-152 was a Soviet multi-role fully enclosed and armored self-propelled gun developed and used during World War II, with a subsequent use, mainly in the Soviet military, till the 1970s.

History

The ISU-152 marks its beginning on January 24, 1943. This was the moment of appearance of the first fighting vehicle of this family. It was designated Object 236 (Объект 236), using the same concept as the ISU-152. The Object 236 was completed in Factory No. 100 in Chelyabinsk, and on the same day, January 24, underwent trials on the Chebarkulski artillery range, 107 km from Chelyabinsk. By February 7, 1943 the trials were over, passed with success. On February 14, the vehicle was adopted and put on production under the KV-14 (КВ-14) designation. In April 1943, KV-14 was ordered to be henceforth designated SU-152 (СУ-152). In time, the combat performance of the SU-152, based on the KV-1S tank, made necessary the modernization of the vehicle, using the new IS tank as a base. On May 25, 1943, shortly after deployment, the administration of Factory No. 100 ordered the beginning of the SU-152 modernization, which included an increase of the armor protection and other improvements. The development began in July 1943, under the supervision of Joseph Yakovlevich Kotin (the chief designer of Soviet heavy tanks) and G. N. Moskvin as the main designer, and in about a month the first modernized variant was ready. It was designated IS-152 (ИС-152). It underwent factory trials in September 1943, revealing a large number of different deficiencies, which sent it back for further improvement. In October 1943, a second (different) modernized variant was ready, designated Object 241 (Объект 241). It was an improvement over the IS-152. The factory trials began the same month, followed by state trials on the Gorohovetskom test range. On November 6, 1943, an order was issued for adoption of this variant, under the ISU-152 (ИСУ-152) designation, and in December its production began at the Chelyabinsk Kirovsk Plant, replacing the SU-152.[1][2]

Design

The first ISU-152, in the courtyard of Factory No. 100, 1943

On April 15, 1942, at the plenum of the artillery committee, it was recommended that the development of assault guns for support of infantry, as well as the necessity of also developing assault guns capable of destroying fortified positions begin. It was intended that these assault platforms be armed with a 152.4 mm gun-howitzer and used for penetration of the enemy defenses in the offensive operations planned for 1942-1943. This resulted in the development of the Object 236, and eventually the SU-152, with this concept later continued and further developed with the ISU-152.

The ISU-152 followed the same design as other Soviet self-propelled guns, except for the SU-76. The fully armored hull was divided into two compartments: fighting compartment for the crew, gun, and ammunition in the front of the hull, and engine and transmission in the rear. The gun was mounted slightly to the right of center with a limited traverse of 12 degrees left and right. The crew consisted of 4 or 5 men placed in the superstructure. Three of the crew were to the left of the gun: driver to the front, then gunner, and last the loader. The vehicle commander and lockman were to the right: commander to the front and the lockman behind. When the crew consisted of 4 men, the loading was carried out by the lockman.

The suspension consisted of twelve torsion bars for the six road wheels on either side. The drive sprockets were at the back, and the front idlers were identical to the road wheels. Each track was made up of 90 links. There were three internal fuel tanks, two in the crew area and one in the engine compartment. These were usually supplemented with four unconnected external fuel tanks. Twelve and 24-volt electrical power supplies came from a 1 kW generator feeding four accumulator batteries.

For observation from the interior, all roof hatches had periscopes and there were two gun sights : telescopic ST-10 (??-10) and panoramic. For crew communication, a TPU-4-BisF intercom was fitted, and for inter-vehicle communication there was a single 10R or 10RK radio. These were better than Soviet equipment at the start of the war, but still inferior to German equipment.

Inside of ISU-152

The crew were given two PPSh sub-machine guns with 1491 rounds and 20 F-1 grenades for short range self-defense. The ISU-152 was armed with the same gun as the SU-152. It used the hull of the IS-1 tank (later IS-2 or IS-2 model 1944) instead of the KV-1S. Later in the war, the ISU-152 was further improved. It used the hull of the IS-2 or IS-2 model 1944 tank, the armor of the mantlet was increased, the gun was replaced by newer variants, a 12.7 x 108 mm DShK anti-aircraft machine gun was installed by the right forward hatch, and later its ammunition capacity increased, the 10R radio set was upgraded to a 10RK, and the fuel capacity was increased. Some ISU-152s were equipped with even larger external fuel tanks; two tanks on the rear hull deck, in addition to the four external fuel tanks (90 liters each, maximum), or with two smaller additional external fuel tanks, on the hull rear. This option was probably available for the post-war ISU-152 modifications.

Between December 1943 and May 1945, 1,885 ISU-152s were built. Mass production ceased in 1947, with 3,242 vehicles produced in total. Post-war ISU-152 modernization included installation of night vision sights, replacing of the V-2IS engine with the V-54K, the 12.7 machine gun was replaced by a newer variant, the ammunition capacity increased to 30 rounds, additional armor, automotive improvements, and a significant increase of the main fuel capacity.[3][4]

Variants

ISU-152

The initial variant, developed in 1943. The factory designation was Object 241 (Объект 241). It was armed with the 152.4 mm ML-20S (МЛ-20С) gun-howitzer, with a barrel length of over 4.2 meters (27.9 calibers). The self-propelled gun carried 21 rounds of two piece (shell and charge) armor-piercing and high explosive ammunition. The gun had a maximum range of 6,200 meters. The armor-piercing round, weighing 48.78 kg, had a muzzle velocity of 600 m/s and a maximum penetration of 125 mm of RHA at 90° at a range of 500 meters. The ISU-152 had different modifications concerning the gun (newer modifications), the number of the hatches, or the hull, based on the IS-1, IS-2, or IS-2 model 1944. The latter modification had a thicker gun shield, fuel tankage with increased volume, etc. Till May 1944, the main armament was the 152.4 mm ML-20 model 1937 gun-howizer. The ISU-152 had a rate of fire of 2-3 rounds/min. The early modifications had three hatches at the superstructure roof and one emergency hatch at the bottom of the hull behind the driver's seat, which had an armored cover. Later was added a fourth round hatch, at the superstructure roof on the right, next to the rectangular hatch on the left. The later ISU-152 modifications, with newer gun and slightly longer barrel, up to over 4.9 meters (32.3 calibers), had a maximum range of fire of up to 13,000 meters.

ISU-152-2

One prototype, developed in 1944. In April, 1944, in an attempt to increase the firepower of the ISU-152, a high-power variant of the self-propelled gun was developed, designated ISU-152BM (ИСУ-152БМ) (ISU-152BM), sometimes referred to as ISU-152BM-1 or ISU-152-1. The "BM" ("БМ") in the designation stands for "Большой Мощности"/"Large Power". The main purpose of the ISU-152BM was to fight against heavily-armored tank destroyers such as the Elefant and the Jagdtiger. It was armed with the 152.4 mm BL-8 (БЛ-8) long barrel gun, which unlike the ISU-152's gun, wasn't a gun-howitzer. It had a maximum range of 18,500 meters. The self-propelled gun carried 21 rounds of two piece (shell and charge) ammunition. The overall length of the gun was coming up to 8 meters, with a barrel length of about 46 calibers. The armor-piercing round, weighing 48.78 kg, had a muzzle velocity of 850 m/s. The factory designation of the vehicle was Object 246 (Объект 246). It used the engine, transmission, running gear, and electrical equipment of the ISU-122. During the trials, the gun showed unsatisfactory results; being difficult to operate by the crew, unreliable working of the muzzle brake, etc. In addition, the gun, reaching out too far, was limiting the maneuverability of the vehicle. In August, 1944, the BL-8 gun was replaced with the 152.4 mm BL-10 (БЛ-10) long barrel gun, which had the same ballistics, but with differences including a modified muzzle brake and a different breech block, and the self-propelled gun was designated ISU-152-2 (ИСУ-152-2) (ISU-152-2). Its factory designation was Object 247 (Объект 247). The trials were still showing some problems, and though it was sent back for further improvement, the ISU-152-2 was never adopted. Today, this self-propelled gun is located at the Kubinka Tank Museum.

ISU-152 model 1945

ISU-152 model 1945

One prototype, developed in 1945. It used elements of the IS-2 and IS-3 tanks. The overall height of the vehicle was reduced to 2240 mm, which was compensated by an increased width of the superstructure. The factory designation was Object 704 (Объект 704). It was armed with the 152.4 mm ML-20SM model 1944 (МЛ-20СМ обр. 1944 г.) gun-howitzer, with a barrel length of over 4.5 meters (29.6 calibers) and no muzzle brake, which further increased the firepower of the gun. It had a maximum range of 13,000 meters. The self-propelled gun carried 20 rounds of two piece (shell and charge) armor-piercing and high explosive ammunition. The armor-piercing round, weighing 48.78 kg, had a muzzle velocity of 655 m/s. The rate of fire was 1-2 round/min. ISU-152 model 1945 had four hatches at the superstructure roof and one emergency hatch at the bottom of the hull behind the driver's seat, which had an armored cover. The self-propelled gun carried two external fuel tanks (90 liters each) not connected to the supply system. The secondary armament of the fighting vehicle consisted of two 12.7 x 108 mm DShK machine guns, one anti-aircraft, and the other co-axial. Protection was increased by placing thicker armor at more radical angles. In the area of the gun, where the mantlet combined with the hull-front behind it and the housing of the recoil mechanism, the armor thickness was 320 mm. ISU-152 model 1945 (ИСУ-152 обр. 1945 г.) was the best protected of all experimental or production Soviet self-propelled guns of the Second World War. However, the radical incline of the superstructure walls combined with the increased recoil of the gun, due to the lack of a muzzle brake, significantly complicated the work of the crew, and for this reason mainly wasn't adopted. Today, the self-propelled gun is exhibited at the Kubinka Tank Museum.[5][6]

ISU-152K

ISU-152K, Victory Park, Moscow, Russia

A modernized variant of the wartime ISU-152 was developed in 1953. It used a new engine, that of the T-54, with a cooling system and a heater. The capacity of the main internal fuel tank was increased to 920 liters, which added 500 km more to the vehicle's range on a road. The ammunition capacity was increased to 30 rounds after the removal of an additional internal fuel tank that was placed in the crew compartment. The gun had a maximum range of 13,000 meters. It received a new commander's cupola and new sights. The factory designation was Object 241K (Объект 241К). The running gear used many elements of the T-10. The mantlet had an additional armor ring protecting the sight. Some of the ISU-152Ks received an additional 15 mm armored plate welded on top of the 60 mm armored plate covering the mantlet above. Also, some received an additional armored plate welded on the upper mantlet front. The modernization was carried out in the [Leningrad Kirov Plant].[2]

ISU-152M

The final variant, a modernized former ISU-152, was developed in 1959. The work was now transferred to the Chelyabinsk Kirovsk Plant. This modernization was parallel to the IS-2M program, and the ISU-152M used many elements of the tank. The factory designation was Object 241M (Объект 241М). The innovations included the installation of night vision sights, increased ammunition stowage for the 12.7 mm machine gun (which was replaced by the improved DShKM), and internal automotive improvements. It had the same new commander's cupola and sights as the ISU-152K. It also had the same main internal fuel tank capacity, 920 liters, adding 500 km more to the vehicle's range on a road compared to the ISU-152, and an increased ammunition capacity to 30 rounds due to the removal of an additional internal fuel tank. The gun had a maximum range of 13,000 meters. The ring protecting the sight was present, and the armor of the upper mantlet front was further increased with a thicker additional armored plate. The ISU-152M had the same V-54K engine with a heater, but lacked the cooling system.[7]

Multirole use

Kubinka, Russia

The ISU-152 self-propelled gun combined three battle roles : heavy assault gun, heavy tank destroyer, and heavy self-propelled artillery. The 152.4 mm gun used a variety of powerful (shell and charge) ammunition. Some of this ammunition had a 43.56 kg high-explosive shell, or a 48.78 kg armor-piercing shell, or the heaviest of all: the 53-G-545 (53-Г-545) long range concrete-piercing ammunition with a 56 kg shell. The ISU-152 was used for infantry and tank support, attacks on fortified positions in a direct-fire role, support on the battlefield in an indirect-fire role, and for fighting against tanks with direct fire.

Heavy assault gun

As a heavy assault gun, the ISU-152 was an extremely valuable weapon in urban combat operations such as the assaults on Berlin, Budapest, and Königsberg. The vehicle's excellent armor protection finally provided the 152.4 mm platform with good protection from most German anti-tank guns, allowing it to advance into the face of direct anti-tank fire, while the huge low velocity high-explosive rounds were excellent at blasting open even the most heavily fortified and reinforced enemy strongpoints. Such actions would be much more dangerous and much less effective for a conventional towed artillery piece, with their high crew exposure and low mobility, or even a tank, with their smaller main guns. When supporting tanks, the usual tactics of the ISU-152 was to be used in the second line of the attack order, 100 to 200 meters behind the attacking tanks, which were usually IS tanks with equal mobility. The ISU-152, like the earlier SU-152 and contemporary ISU-122, was employed by Independent Heavy Self-propelled Artillery Regiments. Between May 1943 and 1945, 53 of these regiments were formed. Many of them were re-formed tank regiments, and employed similar direct fire tactics as used by tanks when supporting infantry. Each of the heavy regiment had 21 guns, divided into 4 artillery batteries of 5 vehicles and the commander's vehicle. For support, the heavy regiments had some supplementary unarmored vehicles such as trucks, jeeps, or motorcycles. In December 1944, Guards Heavy Self-propelled Artillery Brigades were formed, to provide heavy fire support to the tank armies. They were organized along the model of tank brigades, each with 65 ISU-152 or ISU-122 self-propelled guns. To minimize the risks of being knocked out by Panzerfaust-equipped units during urban operations, the ISU-152 usually acted in one or two vehicle detachments alongside infantry squads for protection. The infantry squad would include a specialist sniper (or at least a sharpshooter), some submachine gunners, and sometimes a flamethrower. The ISU-152's heavy caliber DShK machinegun was also useful for targeting Panzerfaust gunners hiding on upper floors of city buildings or behind protective cover, barricades, etc. Effective teamwork between the ISU-152 crew and supporting infantry allowed them to achieve their goals with minimal losses, but if such tactics were not adhered to, the attacking vehicles were easily attacked and destroyed, usually through the weaker armor on the roof or rear compartment.

Heavy tank destroyer

The ISU-152 could also operate as an effective heavy tank destroyer. Though it was not designed for the role, the vehicle inherited the nickname Zveroboy ("beast killer") from its predecessor, the SU-152, for its rare ability to reliably kill the best protected German fighting vehicles, ie; the Panther tank, the Tiger and Tiger B tanks, and even the Elefant and Jagdtiger tank destroyers. The weight of the 152.4 mm shells made for an extremely-low rate of fire, only one to three rounds per minute, and they were not as accurate at long range as high-velocity antitank guns. But, the massive high-explosive shell was capable of blowing the turret completely off a Tiger from sheer blast force alone. No tank crew could expect to survive a direct impact from the 152.4 mm shell, though the chassis itself was sometimes salvageable. If a tank survived, there was enough internal damage to the tank or the crew; splintering of the internal armor or leakage from the damaged tank's pipes and systems. For anti-tank operations following the Battle of Kursk, an even larger armor-piercing ammunition was developed, with an eye towards giving the howitzer a more traditional anti-tank capability. However, these rounds were expensive, in short supply, and only moderately more effective than the standard non-penetrating high-explosive round. As a howitzer, the ML-20S exchanged velocity and accuracy for throw weight and distance, and was not intended to compete with true anti-tank guns. At times, the concrete-piercing ammunition was used for the anti-tank role. A primitive shaped charge ammunition, with a 27.44 kg shell, was also developed. It had a maximum penetration of 250 mm of RHA at 90°, but it was not used during the war.

The ISU-152's 90 mm of sloped frontal armor, in contrast to the SU-152's 65 mm, provided excellent frontal protection from the 75mm KwK 40 gun of the ubiquitous Panzer IV and StuG family at all but the closest ranges, while also forcing the Tiger, with its vaunted 88mm KwK 36 gun, to close to medium ranges in order to successfully penetrate the vehicle. This negated the Tiger's traditional long range superiority and exposed more of its vulnerable flanks to the 85mm ZiS-S gun of the Soviet T-34-85.

The ISU-152 was not a true purpose-built tank destroyer. It had a very low rate of fire compared with specialized tank destroyers such as the German Jagdpanther or the Soviet SU-100, which could manage a brief burst of 5-8 rounds per minute. However, prior to the introduction of the SU-100, it was the only Soviet armored vehicle capable of tackling the German heavy tanks with any kind of reliability, and its ability to satisfy multiple roles meant it was produced in far greater numbers than the SU-100. Attention to camouflage, quick relocation between firing positions, and massed ambushes of 4-5 vehicles firing in salvo at a single target's flanks reduced the disadvantage of the low rate of fire. Using these tactics, the ISU-152 became greatly feared by German heavy tank commanders, robbing them of their prior sense of invulnerability to Soviet guns and forcing them to commit their forces more cautiously and sparingly.

Heavy self-propelled artillery

The ISU-152 was sometimes used as a self-propelled artillery for support on the battlefield and preparatory bombardments, though it had a medium range of fire and a slow reloading speed. The Soviet army had not developed specialized vehicles for this purpose. Their tank and mechanized units were well equipped with towed artillery, but the towed guns were very vulnerable while moving and could not support tanks and motorized infantry during rapid advances into enemy positions, especially when they lacked the armored fully-enclosed design of fighting vehicles like the ISU-152.

Despite the ISU-152's good features, it suffered in some other areas. The greatest disadvantage was that internal stowage was limited to only 20 or 21 rounds of ammunition, with extra rounds often stowed on the rear deck. Replenishing the vehicle's ammunition supply took over 40 minutes and required a very strong loader, due to the large size and weight of the shells. The ST-10 telescopic sight used for direct fire was graduated up to 900 meters. A second "panoramic" sight was used for direct-fire up to the 3,500 meter range. However, it was problematic for the gunner to switch between the two visors. To compensate, it was simpler to concentrate the fire of several vehicles onto the target, sacrificing accuracy for sheer volume of firepower. The high-explosive shells were large enough to take out even a heavily armored vehicle, or a fortification with the even heavier long range concrete-piercing shells. The usual complement of ammunition was 13 high-explosive and 7 armor-piercing or concrete-piercing.

Ammunition Statistics
Ammunition Ammunition type Shell type Shell weight Penetration (maximum) (1000 meters) (1500 meters) (2000 meters)
53-OF-540 (still in use) Long-range high-explosive gun steel shell 43.56 kg
53-OF-530 Long-range high-explosive howitzer steel shell 40 kg
53-BR-540 Armor-piercing pointed nose shell (without a ballistic cap) 48.78 kg 125 mm of RHA at 90° (at 500 meters) 115 mm (123 mm) 105 mm 90 mm
53-BR-540B (adopted in late 1944) Armor-piercing flat nose shell (with a ballistic cap) 46.5 kg 130 mm of RHA at 90° (at 500 meters) 120 mm 115 mm 105 mm
53-BP-540 (not used during the war) Armor-piercing shaped charge 27.44 kg 250 mm of RHA at 90°

(220 mm at 30° from vertical) (120 mm at 60° from vertical)

(naval, model 1915/1928) Semi-armor-piercing 51.07 kg 136 mm of RHA at 90°

(at 100 meters)

(128 mm at 500 meters)
119 mm 111 mm 105 mm
53-G-530 Long range concrete-piercing howitzer shell 40 kg about 1 meter of reinforced concrete
53-G-545 Long range concrete-piercing gun shell 56 kg

The armor penetration can vary with the different ammunition batches or the different RHA. The use of ISU-152 in the post-World War II years was mainly as an assault gun. By the late 1950s, the Soviets had already developed 152.4 mm nuclear rounds, capable of being used by the ISU-152 in the role of self-propelled artillery, but the low angle of inclination and short maximum range of the gun made it dangerous for the fighting vehicles themselves. The Soviets tried to solve this problem by developing rocket assisted projectiles, but this solution was later abandoned in favor of the SO-152 (??-152) self-propelled artillery of a new type, developed in 1968. After the adoption of SO-152, the last remaining role of the ISU-152, as a conventional or nuclear self-propelled artillery, was over.

Soviet combat use

World War II on the Eastern Front and during the Continuation War (Finland) World War II in the Soviet–Japanese War during the Manchurian Invasion Hungarian Revolution

Foreign use

Finnish military

In June 1944, during the Continuation War, a captured ISU-152 was used by the Finnish military. It was lost in the fighting. Another one was repaired in Varkaus, Finland, but never saw action. It was used as a towing vehicle with the gun removed until 1964. Later, the gun was re-installed and the ISU-152 was added to the collection of Parola Tank Museum.

Polish military

In 1944, over 30 ISU-152s were delivered to the People's Army of Poland. Shortly after, the Poles formed the 25th Polish self-propelled artillery regiment, consisting of 10 ISU-152s and 22 ISU-122s. As part of the 1st Polish tank corps (T-34 and T-34-85 tanks), the regiment took part in the fighting on the river Nysa, southwest of Poland in March 1945. In early 1945, the Polish command began to form another ISU-152 regiment, but with not enough of these fighting vehices. The newly formed 13th Polish self-propelled artillery regiment received two ISU-152 and two SU-85 artillery batteries. This regiment took part in the Battle of Berlin in April - May 1945. During the post-war period, the ISU-152s remained in the Polish military till the early 1960s.

Chinese military

In 1955, the Soviet armed forces retreated from Dalian, ending 10 years of residence. All armament was sold to the China People's Liberation Army, including 67 ISU-152s, of which 45 ISU-152s were given to the new founding 1st Mechnical Division of PLA.

Czechoslovakian military

As part of military assistance to friendly countries, a few ISU-152s were transferred to the Czechoslovakian military after World War II, where they were used till the late 1950s.

North Korean military

During the Korean War, ISU-152s were used by the North Korean military.

Egyptian military

In the early 1960s, the Egyptian military received at least one regiment of ISU-152s. They were used during the 1967-1973 Egyptian–Israeli Wars.[2]

Remnants

Today, whats left to remind us of the ISU-152 can be seen, exhibited, or simply located, at different museums and memorials around the world, or even as a monument, a remnant of a restless past sealed in time.

Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Central Museum of Armed Forces, Moscow, Russia

Military Historical Museum of Armored Fighting Vehicles and Equipment in Kubinka, Kubinka, Russia

Sapun Mountain Memorial, Sevastopol, Ukraine

National Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945, Kiev, Ukraine

Museum of the Polish Army, Warsaw, Poland

The Armored Corps Memorial Site and Museum at Latrun, Latrun, Israel

Stalin Line Museum, Minsk, Belarus

Belarusian State Museum of Great Patriotic War History, Minsk, Belarus

Parola Armor Museum, Parola, Finland

German-Russian Museum Berlin-Karlshorst, Karlshorst, Berlin, Germany

Victory Park Memorial, Saratov, Russia

Victory Park Memorial, Moscow, Russia

VHU Praha Tank Museum, Lešany, Czech Republic


Historical Gallery

Historical Accuracy Errata

The following are consensus errors or inconsistencies which have been identified with the configuration of the vehicle in question and conflict with information available on the public record. The causes for these divergences in the game are normally not disclosed and may be rooted in game balance.

Like many Soviet tanks in game the ISU-152 has increased gun depression. In reality it had:
    • -3° with the ML-20 152mm howitzer
    • -2° with the BL-9 122mm cannon
    • And although the ISU-152 was never equipped with the D-4 cannon it is very unlikely to have featured more than -3°
  • Engine is considerably more powerful than in reality, with 700 hp compared to the historical 520.


USSR
Light Tanks IMS-1 IIBT-2 IIT-45 IIT-26 IIT-60 IITetrarch IIIBT-SV IIILTP IIIM3 Light IIIBT-7 artillery IIIT-116 IIIBT-5 IIIT-127 IIIT-46 IIIT-70 IVBT-7 IVT-80 IVValentine II VA-20 VT-50 VIMT-25 VIT-50-2 VIILTG VIIILTTB VIIILT-432 IXT-54 ltwt. XT-100 LT
Medium Tanks IIIT-29 IVA-32 IVT-28E with F-30 IVT-34 with L-11 IVT-28 VMatilda IV VT-34 shielded VM4-85 VT-34 VIA-43 VIT-34-85M VIT-34-85 Rudy VILoza's M4-A2 Sherman VIT-34-85 VIIA-44 VIIKV-13 VIIT-43 VIIT-44-122 VIIIObject 416 VIIIT-54 first prototype VIIIT-44-100 Igrovoy VIIIT-44-100 (R) VIIISTG VIIISTG Guard VIIIObject 274a VIIIT-44 IXObject 430 Version II IXObject 430 IXT-54 XObject 140 XObject 907 XT-22 medium XK-91 XObject 430U XT-62A
Heavy Tanks VChurchill III VKV-220-2 VKV-220-2 Beta Test VKV-1 VKV-1 shielded VIKV-1S VIKV-2 VIKV-2 (R) VIKV-85 VIObject 244 VIT-150 VIIIS VIIKV-3 VIIKV-122 VIIIS-2M VIIIS-2 shielded VIIIS-2 VIIIIS-3 VIIIIS-6 VIIIIS-6 B VIIIKV-5 VIIIKV-4 VIIIIS-5 (Object 730) VIIIIS-3A VIIIIS-3A Peregrine VIIIKirovets-1 VIIIKV-4 Kreslavskiy VIIIObject 252U Defender VIIIObject 252U VIIIIS-M VIIIObject 703 Version II VIIIIS-2-II IXT-10 IXObject 777 Version II IXObject 257 IXObject 705 IXIS-3-II IXST-I XIS-4 XIS-7 XObject 260 XObject 705A XObject 277 XObject 279 early XST-II XObject 780
Tank Destroyers IIAT-1 IIISU-76I IVSU-85A IVSU-76M VSU-85 VSU-85I VISU-100 VISU-100Y VIIISU-122S VIISU-152 VIISU-100M1 VIISU-122-44 VIIIISU-152 VIIIISU-130 VIIIKV-4 KTTS VIIIT-103 VIIISU-130PM VIIIISU-152K VIIISU-101 IXK-91-PT IXObject 704 IXObject 263 XObject 268 XObject 268 Version V XObject 268 Version 4
Self-Propelled Artillery IISU-18 IIISU-26 IVSU-5 VSU-122A VISU-8 VIIS-51 VIISU-14-1 VIIISU-14-2 IX212A XObject 261
Tank Destroyers
USA IIT3 HMC IIIT56 GMC IVM8A1 IVT40 VM10 Wolverine VT67 VIT78 VIM18 Hellcat VIM36 Jackson VIIM56 Scorpion VIIT28 Concept VIISuper Hellcat VIIT25/2 VIIT25 AT VIIITS-5 VIIIT28 VIIIT28 Prototype IXT30 IXT95 XT110E3 XT110E4
UK IIUniversal Carrier 2-pdr IVValentine AT IVAlecto VArcher VAT 2 VIChurchill Gun Carrier VIAchilles VIAT 8 VIExcalibur VIIChallenger VIIAT 15A VIIAT 7 VIIIGSOR 1008 VIIIAT 15 VIIICharioteer VIIITurtle Mk. I IXTortoise IXFV4004 Conway XFV215b (183) XFV4005 Stage II XFV217 Badger
Germany IIPanzerjäger I IIIMarder II IVStuG III Ausf. B IVPz.Sfl. IC IVJagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer IVMarder 38T VStuG IV VPz.Sfl. IVc VStuG III Ausf. G VIDicker Max VIJagdpanzer IV VINashorn VIIE 25 VIIKrupp-Steyr Waffenträger VIIJagdpanther VIISturer Emil VIIIFerdinand VIIIKanonenjagdpanzer 105 VIIIRheinmetall Skorpion G VIIIRheinmetall Skorpion VIIIJagdpanther II VIII8,8 cm Pak 43 Jagdtiger VIIIRhm.-Borsig Waffenträger IXJagdtiger IXWaffenträger auf Pz. IV XGrille 15 XJagdpanzer E 100 XWaffenträger auf E 100
France IIRenault FT AC IIIFCM 36 Pak 40 IIIRenault UE 57 IVSomua SAu 40 VM10 RBFM VS35 CA VIARL V39 VIIAMX AC mle. 46 VIIIAMX AC mle. 48 VIIIAMX Canon d'assaut 105 IXAMX 50 Foch XAMX 50 Foch (155) XAMX 50 Foch B
USSR IIAT-1 IIISU-76I IVSU-85A IVSU-76M VSU-85 VSU-85I VISU-100 VISU-100Y VIIISU-122S VIISU-152 VIISU-100M1 VIISU-122-44 VIIIISU-152 VIIIISU-130 VIIIKV-4 KTTS VIIIT-103 VIIISU-130PM VIIIISU-152K VIIISU-101 IXK-91-PT IXObject 704 IXObject 263 XObject 268 XObject 268 Version V XObject 268 Version 4
China IIT-26G FT IIIM3G FT IVSU-76G FT V60G FT VIWZ-131G FT VIIT-34-2G FT VIIIWZ-111-1G FT VIIIWZ-120-1G FT IXWZ-111G FT IXWZ-120G FT XWZ-113G FT X114 SP2
Japan
Czechoslovakia VIIIShPTK-TVP 100
Sweden IIPvlvv fm/42 IIIIkv 72 IVSav m/43 VIkv 103 VIIkv 65 Alt II VIIIkv 90 Typ B VIIIUDES 03 VIIIStrv S1 IXStrv 103-0 XStrv 103B
Italy VSemovente M41 VISemovente M43 Bassotto VIISMV CC-56 VIIISMV CC-64 Vipera VIIISMV CC-67 IXControcarro 1 Mk. 2 XControcarro 3 Minotauro
Poland
ja:Tank:R47 ISU-152