[Coming Soon] Bkan 1C Platoon: Record fire rate!

Bkan 1C Platoon (Rank VII)

Historical note

In the late 1950s, Swedish designers began to develop a revolutionary self-propelled artillery system with the Bandkanon 1 automatic loader. They combined the developments of the experimental Kranvagn project with a modernized chassis of the Strv 103A tank. The total SPA order amounted to 26 units. The first vehicle was put into service in 1963.

Bandkanon 1 set a world record for rapid fire rate. Its automatic loader was able to fire with such intensity that it could empty its ammunition before the first shell fell at maximum range! This technological masterpiece of self-propelled artillery systems remained in service with the Swedish Army until 2003.

Bkan 1C

The leader of the new Swedish platoon in War Thunder Mobile will become a 155 mm Bkan 1C self-propelled artillery unit. It is an interestingly designed vehicle with an automatic loader, which gives it a record-breaking rate of fire in the class of large-caliber howitzers.

The new SPA is armed with an oversized 155 mm gun, which continues with an equally oversized breech block with automatic loader and the single ammunition box for 14 rounds. This unsightly vehicle, looking like the boom of a crane, can surprise you. The reloading speed of the Bkan is just over 3 seconds!

The cannon fires regular HE and HE-VT shells, but the high muzzle energy makes it very easy to aim and hit with the howitzer, even at decent distances. Horizontal aiming angles are limited, and the commander will often have to turn the gun with the hull toward the target.

The chassis for the SPA is based on the famous Swedish Strv 103 tank with a reinforced engine. Nevertheless, the speed of SPA is quite mediocre and there is no need to count on quick capturing of strategic points. Nevertheless, the Bkan 1C has quite good specific power, and in addition is equipped with reverse gearbox. The vehicle can quickly turn on the spot and is able to roll back to cover rather quickly after a shot.

The SPA's armor is light, anti-bullet, and its size makes survivability even more difficult. The record fire rate of the Bkan 1C is the main advantage of the vehicle. Its defense means blitz attacks. Massive HE shells can find a weakness in even the most protected tanks and howitzers. And if you fail the first time, you have time to fire more and more shots, one of which will certainly be fatal for opponent. Think, aim and shoot quickly, but don't forget that there are only 14 shells in your ammo.

The interesting Bkan 1C leads an equally interesting platoon. Let's introduce the other members of the new Swedish quartet!

Strv 81 (RB 52)

A modification of the British Centurions in the service of the Swedish army was the Strv 81 tank. It is additionally armed with three first-generation RB 52 ATGMs. The Strv 81 (RB 52) is a well-defended tank with an accurate gun and good APDS and deadly ATGMs. The main thing is not to shoot at close range: the missiles need distance to accelerate.

Strv 103A

The Strv 103A tank is a kind of a symbol of Swedish armored vehicles of the 2nd half of the 20th century. In the game this tank looks more like a self-propelled vehicle, has a good defense in the front projection and a powerful gun with automatic loader.

VEAK 40

The SPAA of the platoon will be the VEAK 40, a self-propelled unit with a pair of 40mm automatic cannons. The SPAA's armor is weak, but the speed and damage of its automatic cannons are sufficient to fight both aircraft and lightly armored enemy vehicles.

*Platoon vehicle lineup, vehicle specifications and camouflages are still under development and may differ from those in this article.

The Bkan 1C Platoon (Rank VII) will be available in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) in the Medium Trophy of the Tank Campaign with the start of the new Season.