The Soviet Union’s Rocket Engine Tanks

New footage has come to light showing that the ever-ingenious Soviet Union once considered adding rockets to its tanks, allowing the vehicles to cross difficult terrain. The rocket engines provided a huge boost of forward momentum, sending a tank weighing 40 or more tons flying through mud. Although definitely bold, the system was dangerous and likely too expensive to be made operational.

The video shows three different vehicles that were adapted to use rocket or aircraft engines. The first segment shows what appear to be rockets loaded onto the back of what seems to be a T-55 main battle tank. The T-55 was the main tank of the Soviet Union in the 1950s. The T-55 in the video spouts huge gouts of flame from its flanks as the 40-ton tank roars forward.