Dec 1938

The Department of Mechanization and Motorization of the Commission for Modernization of the Russian Army has issued guidelines for improvements of the army's equipment in the field.

Electronics

Not all technologies have strictly military applications. Researchers at Petrograd State University have been working toward increasing the uses of so-called Mechanical Computers, which greatly increase our ability to process data and perform calculations. It is anticipated that this will greatly increase the pace of scientific progress within the Russian State as well as increase the ability of military planners to process calculations for battle planning.

There have also been advances in Radio technology, allowing for the greater use of portable radio units. This will allow for a significant increase in the ability of Russian commanders to issue orders and reinforce units at the front.

Doctrine

With the progression of our Mass Assault Doctrine, the issue of potential encirclement has become a great concern. As such Russian military planners have come up with plans for Pocket Defense, training divisions that if they become encircled they should hold out and wait for a counterattack to reunite them with the main force.

Infantry Equipment

Improvements to machine gun and mortar technologies are being rolled out. The new machine gun, the Degtyaryov machine gun, fires the 7.62x54mmR cartridge of the standard issue rifle at a rate of 550 rpm. The gun is fed by a pan style magazine carrying either 47 or 63 rounds or a belt feeding system. The new mortar system, called the 82-BM-37, is an 82mm mortar with a round base plate capable of launching an 82mm shell 3,040 meters.