[img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/61eaec3ba56fb49e25d8be82f5b2e9c6b063e1b4.gif[/img] Meet the IJN Mutsu, which was the second of two Nagato-class battleships built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the aftermath of WWI. Being the first battleships to equip 16’’ main guns, Mutsu is sure to redefine battleship standards in War Thunder naval battles! [h2][b]IJN Mutsu:[/b] A Rank VI Battleship for Japan[/h2] Features: [list] [*] Enormous 410 mm main battery. [*] Decent armor protection. [*] Light AA protection. [*] Decent mobility. [/list] Vehicle History [expand type=details] As part of the naval rearmament program leading up to and during WWI, the Japanese navy was constructing a number of new battleships and battlecruisers, incorporating the latest technologies. IJN Mutsu was one of these ships, being ordered into construction in June 1918 and seeing completion in 1921. Along with her sistership, IJN Nagato, they were the first warships in the world to be fitted with 16’’ cannons, which greatly increased their firepower and range. Being subject to several upgrades and modernizations in the interwar period, Mutsu entered WWII as one of the most powerful battleships in the world. However, this warship only saw limited combat action and was tragically lost in 1943 while at port due to a catastrophic magazine detonation which destroyed the ship and caused many losses. [/expand] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/32f5cd144a9d829d5aa7c75249bdd6d5728f51d1.jpg[/img] [h2]Meet IJN Mutsu![/h2] In War Thunder, Mutsu will be the new top battleship that will be awaiting you in the next major update, Alpha Strike! Being among the last and most advanced battleships constructed for the IJN before the outbreak of WWII, Mutsu brings with it notable upgrades over preceding designs, the most important of which we’ll cover in today’s devblog. Ready to dive straight in?   While appearing quite similar to older Japanese battleship designs on the surface, Mutsu actually represents a major step forward. Much of that can be traced back to the ship being fitted with an incredibly powerful primary battery consisting of eight 16’’ (410 mm) cannons. You’ll not only be able to engage targets more reliably at a greater distance, but the increased shell weight will also result in improved ballistic properties as well as increased damage potential upon landing a successful hit. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/98c8a95a59ca39a7739bcdc1bb1066c425df6bba.jpg[/img] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/ddaf455aa6fbbaa9cb6895043111e6a8b147e21f.jpg[/img] [b]Interesting:[/b] Upon its release, Mutsu’s primary guns will become the largest caliber weapon available in War Thunder! In addition to this, Mutsu traditionally features decent protection, with its most critical components and modules being shielded with up to 305 mm of steel armor. A high crew count rounds off Mutsu’s good survivability and ensures that this battleship can absorb enemy damage and stay in the fight for longer than other ships. Mutsu will arrive to the game in its early configuration, meaning that this battleship can’t boast about excellent anti-air protection and is reliant on its allies for robust defense against aerial threats. Lastly, with all that firepower and armor, this battleship may claim an impressive displacement but this does come at the cost of maneuverability. So plan your tactical maneuvers some time in advance. On the other hand, being fitted with an improved propulsion system means that Mutsu is able to attain a top speed of 26.5 kts (49 km/h), thus being faster than some of its predecessors. [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/0b4574da97b66c7dd200ce5f8bb5e664f5d87af4.jpg[/img] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/79ce6808ba9ecaa80f0d28d3930153fad7a16306.jpg[/img] [quote][b]In your matches by Igor, Naval Game Designer:[/b] “IJN Mutsu is an evolution of the Kongō-type battlecruisers / fast-battleship of the Japanese navy of the interwar period. Using armor-piercing main caliber shells and increased gun reloading speed, you’ll be able to achieve better results in battle. Its armor may not be enough to consistently hold off 14-15” battleship shells as well as the fire of post-war battlecruisers, so minimize the hits you receive by maintaining a maximum distance if possible in combat.”[/quote] [img]https://clan.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/images//4649813/457a2bc4deda0437f6bd239df136f2243c7e7a3e.jpg[/img] IJN Mutsu will soon be joining the top rank of the Japanese navy’s Bluewater fleet with the release of the Alpha Strike major update. In the meantime, be on the lookout for more news regarding the upcoming update. Until then, calm seas and happy hunting!