A brief look at-

THE EVOLUTION OF RUSSIA'S
SU ARMOUR

SU-37

Lacking fire power, this AFV was used extensively for infantry support, a role it was
well suited for with it's speed and mobility.

• weight: 10.5 tons
• speed: 32
• crew: 4
• max armour: 35mm
• armament: 37mm

SU-76

Like the SU-37, only with better armament,
this AFV was also used more as an infantry support vehicle due to it's thin armour.

• weight: 11 tons
• speed: 25
• crew: 4
• max armour: 35mm
• armament: 76.2mm, 1 mg

The SU-85, similar to the picture below, was a big change in the SU series. Note the open top exposing the crew to enemy fire and weather in the SU-76 above. The SU-85 was a big change offering more fire power, thicker armour, and an enclosed fighting compartment.

The Russians did not embrace the self-propelled gun to the extent that the Germans did, but from the early beginnings of their light infantry support vehicles, they went on to develop some well designed anti-tank guns.

Based on the reliable T-34 chassis, the SU-85, the SU-100 (pictured above), and the SU-122, were very similar in appearance. Mostly minor changes to the commander's hatch area of the tank and the main gun were the only clear differences. Each tank carried the 85mm, 100mm, or the 122mm gun, respectively.

These AFV's played a major role in Russia's drive to Berlin. Able to compete with most of the German's armour in hitting power, however, with a compromise of armour thickness for speed and mobility. For example, the SU-100 had 50mm armour maximum protection while it's latter version, the SU-122, had 45mm maximun armour protection but note in the specifications chart below the speed of these vehicles. This reflects that by 1944, Russia was fighting an offensive war while Germany was fighting a defensive one.

SU-100

• weight: 32 tons
• speed: 30
• crew: 4
• max armour: 50mm
• armament: 100mm, 1 mg

SU-122

• weight: 30.9 tons
• speed: 34.5
• crew: 5
• max armour: 45mm
• armament: 122mm