KV-85

The KV-85, also identified as Object 239, was a heavy tank developed by the Soviet Union in 1943. Created as an interim measure to counter German Tiger and Panther tanks, the vehicle was produced between August and October 1943. A total of 148 units were manufactured before production transitioned to the IS series.

The vehicle utilized a KV-1S chassis fitted with the turret from the Object 237. It was armed with an 85 mm D-5T tank gun, which was capable of penetrating the frontal armor of a Tiger I at 1,000 meters. Secondary armament consisted of three 7.62 mm DT machine guns. Modifications from the base KV-1S included the repositioning of the ball-mounted hull machine gun to a fixed mount to the right of the driver, with the original opening welded shut. The vehicle was powered by a V-2K V12 diesel engine and used a torsion bar suspension. Armor protection ranged from 30 mm to 110 mm.

The KV-85 entered service with the Soviet Union in 1943 and saw combat during World War II. Units were dispatched to the front beginning in October 1943. The tank served as a stopgap until the IS-1 and IS-2 reached full-scale production, providing the Red Army with a heavy tank platform mounting an 85 mm gun during the autumn and winter of 1943–1944.