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"Decree of the Committee of Defense of the Council of Commissars of the USSR
November 1940 
Moscow, Kremlin

Contents: on additional tactical-technical requirements for SP, T-34, and KV tanks

The Committee of Defense decrees:
  1. To increase effectiveness of the gun crews on the SP, T-34, and KV tanks, widen the turret and install a special commander's cupola with all-around vision.
  2. Establish the crews of the SP, T-34, and KV tanks to be the following:
    1. SP: four man crew, of which the driver sits in the front and the commander and two gun crewmen sit in the turret.
    2. T-34 and KV tanks: five men, of which one commander and two gun crewmen are in the turret and the driver and radio operator in the front of the hull.
  3. Establish the armament to be the following:
    1. SP tank: one 45 mm gun with a coaxial DT machinegun in the turret, two PPD submachineguns one in the turret for firing from hatches, and the other with the driver.
    2. T-34 tank: one 76 mm gun with a coaxial DT machinegun in the turret, a second DT machinegun for the radio operator, and one PPD in the turret for firing from hatches.
    3. KV tank: one 76 mm gun with a coaxial DT machinegun in the turret, a second DT machinegun for the radio operator, the third DT machinegun in the turret bustle, and one PPD in the turret for firing from hatches.
  4. Ammunition capacity of the T-34 and KV tank is established in the following amounts:
    1. For the KV tank: at least 115 76 mm rounds, 4000 machinegun rounds, and 500 PPD rounds
    2. For the T-34 tank: at least 100 76 mm rounds, 4500 machinegun rounds, and 500 PPD rounds.
  5. The ammunition racks on the SP, T-34, and KV tanks must be comfortable to use and allow a rate of fire of 6-8 RPM on the move.
  6. The driver and radio operator observation devices on the SP, T-34, and KV tanks must show both fenders of the tank, block bullets and splash, and be quickly replaceable if damaged.
    To improve visibility while driving, equip the SP, T-34, and KV with an additional observation device. Install observation devices along the sides, one per side, for use by the driver and radio operator.
  7. Install the KRSTB radio for external communication, with the possibility of installing the 71-TK-3 radio.
  8. The intercom, telephone, and throat microphone must allow communication between:
    1. SP tank: the commander with driver and gunner.
    2. T-34 and KV tanks: commander with driver, radio operator, and gunner.
  9. The T-34 tank must have an individual torsion bar suspension with shock absorbers in the front and back. Return rollers must have internal dampening.
  10. The service life between major repairs of the SP, T-34, and KV tanks must be 600 hours.
  11. The NKSM and NKTP must produce prototypes and prepare for production of T-34 and KV tanks with the aforementioned changes by January 1st, 1941.
  12. To allow for easy controls and increase the top speed of the SP and KV tanks to 40-50 kph and the T-34 tank to 60-70 kph, require the NKSM and NKTM to prepare prototypes and production for a planetary transmission for SP, T-34, and KV tanks by April 1st, 1941. Components of the planetary transmission must function until major repairs are required.
  13. Require factory #75 to produce V-2, V-2K, and V-3 engines with a warranty period of at least 250 hours. In 1941, improve V-2, V-2K, and V-3 diesel engines to have a warranty period of 500-600 hours. By August 1st, 1941, be completely prepared for full production to meet the needs of the tank factories and the NKO.
  14. The NKO and NKSM, must examine the sensibility of the front hatch in the T-34 model 1940 tank and determine the possibility of installing triplex observation blocks instead of the mirror panels within 15 days.
  15. In order to provide equipment for internal and external communication for SP, T-34, and KV tanks in 1941, factory #197 (NKEP) must master production of throat microphones by January 1st, 1941, and factory #203 must master production of KRSTB radios by January 1st, 1941.
November 5th, 1940"

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