Soviets experimented with airdropping tanks and vehicles with their crews inside them during World War II and into the early Cold War era. This method, while dramatic and risky, was part of their effort to rapidly deploy armored forces to support airborne troops in combat situations. Here’s how and why it happened, along with the challenges involved:
The Concept
The Soviets recognized the strategic value of combining airborne operations with armored support. Light tanks and vehicles could provide paratroopers with firepower, mobility, and protection, enhancing their ability to hold captured objectives or counterattack enemy forces.
The Tanks
One of the most notable examples was the T-60 light tank, a small, lightly armored tank weighing around 5.8 tons. It was chosen for airdrop experiments due to its light weight and suitability for transport by aircraft.
The tanks were modified to reduce weight for air deployment, such as removing certain non-essential components.
Other vehicles, such as lightweight armored cars and utility trucks, were also considered for similar purposes.
Airdrop Methods
The Soviets employed two main methods for delivering tanks and vehicles via air:
With Crew Inside
In some cases, the crew remained inside the tank during the airdrop to save time and allow for immediate combat readiness upon landing.
The tank was typically lowered using large parachutes or, in some experimental cases, a combination of parachutes and retro-rocket systems to cushion the impact.
This method posed extreme risks to the crew due to the high likelihood of injury or death if the parachutes or landing systems failed.
Without Crew
More commonly, tanks were dropped unmanned and retrieved by their crews after landing.
This approach significantly reduced the risk to personnel but required a secure drop zone and time for the crew to regroup and operate the vehicle.
Challenges and Risks
Safety Concerns: Keeping the crew inside during an airdrop exposed them to serious injury or death from impact forces or parachute failures.
Vehicle Durability: Tanks and vehicles often sustained damage during the drop, especially if the landing area was uneven or poorly chosen.
Limited Tank Selection: Only lightweight tanks like the T-60 or specially designed vehicles could be airdropped, as most heavier tanks exceeded aircraft carrying capacities.
Logistical Constraints: The aircraft available at the time, such as the Lisunov Li-2 (a Soviet version of the Douglas DC-3), had limited lifting capacity, making large-scale tank drops impractical.