"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:
- 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.
- Establish the crews of the SP, T-34, and KV tanks to be the following:
- SP: four man crew, of which the driver sits in the front and the commander and two gun crewmen sit in the turret.
- 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.
- Establish the armament to be the following:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ammunition capacity of the T-34 and KV tank is established in the following amounts:
- For the KV tank: at least 115 76 mm rounds, 4000 machinegun rounds, and 500 PPD rounds
- For the T-34 tank: at least 100 76 mm rounds, 4500 machinegun rounds, and 500 PPD rounds.
- 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.
- 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.
- Install the KRSTB radio for external communication, with the possibility of installing the 71-TK-3 radio.
- The intercom, telephone, and throat microphone must allow communication between:
- SP tank: the commander with driver and gunner.
- T-34 and KV tanks: commander with driver, radio operator, and gunner.
- 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.
- The service life between major repairs of the SP, T-34, and KV tanks must be 600 hours.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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"