Editing Iosif Stalin tank (section)

==Background==
<section begin="background" />An evolution of the [[Kliment Voroshilov tank]], the Iosif Stalin series of tanks was born at the SKB-2 design bureau at the Chelyabinsk Kirov Plant. The capture of a [[Tiger]] tank in early 1943 showed the need for a tank capable of fighting [[Germany]]'s big cat on even footing. The SKB-2 bureau devised the [[Kliment Voroshilov tank#KV-85|KV-85]], a KV-1 with an 85mm tank gun, to bolster the firepower of Soviet tank units in the summer of 1943 while they worked on a new design. 

The first generation IS tank, IS-85 was born out of a cancelled KV-13 prototype, featuring a superior armor layout, better reliability, and a large, three-man turret accommodating the 85mm gun. Pressed into service in October 1943, production lasted until January 1944. By then, the [[T-34]] armed with the same gun was commonplace, and Soviet engineers focused on upgunning the existing tank. The new IS-122 entered service in January 1944, armed with a 122mm gun that could destroy any German tank from well outside their firing range. 

The end result was a tank lighter than the [[Tiger]] and almost equal to the [[Panther]], at 46 tons, with thicker armor than either of the big cats, and a decisive advantage in firepower. It was also a potent tool for breakthroughs, as its 122mm gun was incredibly effective against fortifications and soft targets. A total of 3 854 IS tanks were manufactured before production terminated in 1945.<section end="background" />