Glory to the Heroes vehicles serve primarily as motorized infantry transports at the game's October 9, 2026 Early Access launch. Developed by Ukrainian studio Deaf Tone Games (formerly Spacedev Games), the mil-sim centers its initial release on infantry combat supported by logistics and transport vehicles, specifically the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Humvee and the Russian Armed Forces' Ural-63095 armored truck. Heavy combat vehicles—including fully crewed main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and player-operated artillery—are scheduled for later updates along the developer's Early Access roadmap.
While test builds and pre-alpha demos have showcased drivable armored personnel carriers (APCs), training range helicopters, and static artillery props, understanding what is playable right now versus what is planned helps set realistic expectations for combined-arms warfare.
Current and Planned Vehicles in Glory to the Heroes
Official developer announcements and playtest builds distinguish between immediate transport options and upcoming combined-arms assets.
| Vehicle | Class / Role | Faction | Availability Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humvee | Light Armored Transport / MG Carrier | Armed Forces of Ukraine | Available at Early Access launch |
| Ural-63095 (Typhoon) | Armored Utility / Personnel Transport | Russian Armed Forces | Available at Early Access launch |
| BMP-2 | Infantry Fighting Vehicle | Faction Dependent | Introduced in demo/patch testing; expanded later |
| BTR-4E / BTR Series | Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier | Ukraine / Faction Dependent | Featured in demo assets and alpha stress tests |
| T-72 | Main Battle Tank | Russian Armed Forces | Static / target in early builds; crewed version planned |
| Msta-S / TOS-1A | Self-Propelled Artillery / MLRS | Russian Armed Forces | Battlefield hazard / ambient threat; player crew planned |
| Civilian Cars / Pickups | Soft-Skin Utility Transport | Neutral / Map Spawn | Present on open maps (such as Chasiv Yar) |
| FPV Strike Drones | Remote Aerial Munition | Both Factions | Fully playable weapon system at launch |
Ground Transports at Early Access Launch
In the initial release, vehicles exist to solve a logistical problem rather than dominate firefights. Maps like Chasiv Yar - Canal, Izium Machine-building Plant, and the rural terrain of Krynky represent large-scale operations where foot transit from initial spawns takes significant time.
The Ukrainian Humvee functions as a squad transport capable of repositioning soldiers to frontline capture points and infiltration areas. Testers report that it features a mounted machine gun, though fire support roles remain vulnerable to enemy anti-tank infantry. On the opposing side, the Ural-63095 provides a protected, heavy-chassis alternative to move personnel into combat zones without suffering immediate small-arms casualties.
In addition to dedicated military transports, open-world maps feature civilian vehicles scattered across roads and industrial districts. These can occasionally be boarded to escape open fields or move between objectives, though they offer zero ballistic protection against rifle fire or shrapnel.
Vehicle Controls and Early Handling Mechanics
Early community playtests, closed alpha builds, and developer logs have revealed specific details regarding how vehicles operate under Unreal Engine 5:
- Engine Ignition and Operation: Entering a vehicle places the player in an interior or semi-fixed driving perspective. Pressing R controls the engine ignition. Driving controls rely on standard directional inputs, though early playtesters noted noticeable input lag and heavy steering inertia during initial network stress tests.
- Mounted Turrets and Aiming: Mounted guns on vehicles like the Humvee allow players to suppress enemy trenches and buildings. In early closed alpha tests, players identified quirks such as inverted default aiming axes on certain vehicle turrets, while patches such as Alpha v1.1 overhauled vehicle-versus-player damage balance and character collision bugs.
- Logistics Utility: In the persistent Operations mode, motorized vehicles can move personnel from main deployment bases to forward positions, reducing downtime after respawn waves. According to project documentation, transport vehicles also support moving vital ammunition and supplies needed to fortify captured objectives.
How to Counter Vehicles: Infantry Anti-Tank and FPV Drones
Infantry squads possess several specialized tools to eliminate hostile vehicles attempting to push objectives:
- Anti-Tank Shoulder Launchers: Dedicated anti-tank loadouts feature weapons such as the RPG-7, RPG-26, and RPG-29. In official developer demonstrations, striking armored targets in vulnerable components—such as the rear engine compartment of a T-72—results in direct destruction.
- FPV Strike Drones: Glory to the Heroes integrates first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones as a core tactical feature. Operators equip a drone, a transmitter, and video goggles to pilot munitions across the battlefield. While piloting, the operator remains physically exposed and stationary, requiring teammates to provide security.
- Environmental Hazards and Mines: Vehicles attempting to cross open riverbanks or ruined city roads face hidden anti-tank landmines and pre-targeted artillery strikes, making careless road advances extremely hazardous.
Roadmap: Tanks, IFVs, and Combined-Arms Warfare
For players seeking deep vehicular combat similar to full-scale mil-sims, Deaf Tone Games has outlined combined arms as a primary post-launch development objective.
The developer's published roadmap designates the Battle of Izium as a major persistent operation covering over 425 square kilometers. This update is slated to formally introduce:
- Fully crewed main battle tanks (including advanced armor modeling and crew stations).
- Drivable and armed infantry fighting vehicles (BMP series and modern APCs).
- Player-operated artillery batteries, moving beyond the automated off-map artillery strikes and ambient shelling present at launch.
Until the Izium combined-arms update rolls out, vehicles in Glory to the Heroes remain focused on squad mobility, repositioning, and logistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drive tanks in Glory to the Heroes right now?
No. Main battle tanks like the T-72 appear in early testing ranges, combat demos, and as static battlefield elements, but player-crewed tanks are scheduled for the post-launch Battle of Izium update rather than the initial Early Access release.
Are attack helicopters or transport helicopters flyable in multiplayer matches?
Helicopters appeared in early test maps and alpha sandboxes for flight physics evaluation, but fully operational, player-controlled aviation is not supported in the standard Contact or Operations launch modes. Air support primarily manifests as ambient airstrikes, guided bomb threats, and player-piloted FPV drones.
What happens to a vehicle if everyone inside is killed?
How do you start the engine on drivable vehicles?
In current playable builds, players board the driver's seat and use the default keybind R to toggle the engine on or off before moving with standard directional controls.
