Teletank
Early Soviet unmanned tanks controlled by radio from a distance.
The teletank was an experimental unmanned tank developed in the Soviet Union during the 1930s and early 1940s, intended to keep soldiers out of direct danger. It was operated by radio from a control tank located 500 to 1,500 meters away, and the two vehicles together formed a telemechanical group. Although never widely deployed, the Red Army used teletanks in the Winter War against Finland and at the start of the Eastern Front campaign in World War II.
Teletanks carried DT machine guns, flamethrowers, and smoke canisters. Some models also had a special armored box holding a 200 to 700 kilogram time bomb, which could be dropped near enemy fortifications to destroy bunkers up to four levels underground. They were also designed for chemical weapons, though these were never used in combat. Depending on the model, each teletank could recognize between sixteen and twenty-four different radio commands, sent on one of two possible frequencies to avoid interference and jamming. These tanks were built on the chassis of T-18, T-26, T-38, BT-5, and BT-7 light tanks.
Standard tactics involved the control tank (called a TU, equipped with a radio transmitter and operator) staying as far back as possible while the teletank (TT) advanced toward the enemy. The control tank provided fire support and protected the radio operator. If the enemy captured the teletank, the control tank crew was ordered to destroy it with its main gun. When not in combat, the teletank was driven manually. The Red Army also used remotely controlled telecutters and teleplanes.
Quick Facts
- Control distance
- 500–1,500 m / 1,640–4,921 ft
- Radio frequencies
- 2
- Base vehicles
- T-18
- T-26
- T-38
- BT-5
- BT-7
- Armament
- DT machine guns, flamethrowers, smoke canisters, sometimes a 200–700 kg (441–1,543 lb) time bomb
- Notable deployment
- Winter War, early Eastern Front campaign
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Teletanks were developed as part of a broader Soviet program of remote-controlled military vehicles, which also included telecutters and teleplanes. Each teletank, depending on model, could recognize sixteen to twenty-four different commands sent via radio on two possible frequencies to avoid interference and jamming. The teletanks were built on the chassis of existing light tanks such as the T-18, T-26, T-38, BT-5, and BT-7.
Standard tactics involved a TU control tank, equipped with a radio transmitter and operator, staying back as far as practicable while the teletank (TT) approached the enemy. The control tank provided fire support and protection for the radio control operator. If the enemy succeeded in seizing the teletank, the control tank crew was instructed to destroy it with its main gun. When not in combat, the teletank was driven manually.
Teletanks were equipped with DT machine guns, flamethrowers, smoke canisters, and sometimes a special 200–700 kg time bomb in an armoured box, dropped near enemy fortifications to destroy bunkers up to four levels below ground. They were also designed to be capable of using chemical weapons, although these were not used in combat. At least two teletank battalions existed at the beginning of the Eastern Front campaign.
Reader's Guide
The teletank represents an early attempt to reduce human risk in armored warfare through remote control, predating modern unmanned ground vehicles by decades. Its use in the Winter War and at the start of the Eastern Front campaign demonstrates that the Soviet Red Army fielded these experimental systems in actual combat, albeit not in common use. The teletank's design—based on existing light tank chassis and equipped with machine guns, flamethrowers, smoke canisters, and demolition charges—shows a practical approach to integrating remote control with conventional weapons. The inclusion of two radio frequencies to avoid interference and jamming indicates awareness of electronic warfare challenges. The tactic of having a control tank destroy a captured teletank highlights the value placed on preventing enemy capture of the technology. Though the teletank did not see widespread adoption, it contributed to the lineage of teleoperation and telerobotics in military applications, alongside other Soviet remote-controlled vehicles like telecutters and teleplanes.
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