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Steven J. Zaloga
Steven J. Zaloga
from Wikipedia

Steven Joseph Zaloga (born February 1, 1952) is an American author and defense consultant. He received a bachelor's degree cum laude at Union College and a master's degree at Columbia University, both in history.[3]

Key Information

Career

[edit]

Zaloga is a senior analyst at the Teal Group.[4]

He has published many books dealing with modern military technology, and especially Soviet and CIS tanks and armoured warfare.[5] He is also a noted scale armor modeler and is a host/moderator of the World War II Allied Discussion group at Missing-Lynx.com, a modelling website.[6] He is a frequent contributor to the UK-based modeling magazine Military Modelling. He is a member of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society.

Works

[edit]
  • — (1978). Sherman Medium Tank, 1942–1945. New Vanguard. Vol. 3. Colour plates by Peter Sarson. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-855322967. OCLC 898911295.
  • — (1979). Modern Soviet Armor: Combat Vehicles of the USSR and Warsaw Pact Today (1st American ed.). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-597856-4.
  • — & Grandsen, James (1981). T-34 in Action. Armor. Vol. 20. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN 0-89747-112-1.
  • — & Grandsen, James (1981). Soviet Heavy Tanks. Vanguard. Vol. 24. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 0-85045-422-0.
  • — & Loop, James W. (1982). Modern American Armor: Combat Vehicles of the United States Army Today (1st ed.). Arms & Armour Press. ISBN 978-0-853682486. LCCN 81208199. OCLC 249730412. OL 3880977M.
  • — (1982). The Polish Army 1939-1945. Men at Arms. Vol. 117. Illustrated by Richard Hook (1st ed.). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-0-850454178. OCLC 9136152. OL 8264803M.
  • — (1984). The Red Army of the Great Patriotic War, 1941-45. Men-at-Arms. Vol. 216. Colour plates by Ron Volstad. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 0850459397. OCLC 57246098.
  • — & Grandsen, James (1984). Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of World War Two. London, UK: Arms & Armour Press. ISBN 0-85368-606-8.
  • — & Grandsen, James (1985). Operation Barbarossa. Tanks Illustrated. Vol. 16. London, UK: Arms & Armour Press. ISBN 0-853-68702-1. OCLC 12807954.
  • — & Loop, James W. (1985). Soviet Bloc Elite Forces. Vol. 5. Illustrated by Ron Volstad. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 0-850-45631-2. OCLC 12501799.
  • — & Madej, Victor (1985). The Polish Campaign 1939. New York City: Hippocrene Books. ISBN 0882549944.
  • — (1989). Red Thrust: Attack on the Central Front, Soviet Tactics and Capabilities in the 1990s. Novato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN 0-89141-345-6. OCLC 20169366.
  • — (1993). M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank 1982-92. New Vanguard. Vol. 2. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-283-7.
  • — (1993). T-72 Main Battle Tank 1974-93. New Vanguard. Vol. 6. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-338-9.
  • — (1994). T-34 Medium Tank 1941–45. New Vanguard. Vol. 9. Illustrated by Peter Sarson. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-382-6.
  • — (1995). Inside the Blue Berets: A Combat History of Soviet and Russian Airborne Forces, 1930-1995. Novato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN 978-0-891413998. LCCN 94040927. OCLC 31517759. OL 1114934M – via Internet Archive.
  • — (1996). Bagration 1944: The Destruction of Army Group Centre. Campaign. Vol. 42. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-478-7. LCCN 2003063213. OCLC 474518236. OL 8992906M.
  • — & Kinnear, Jim (1996). KV-1 & 2 Heavy Tanks 1939–1945. New Vanguard. Vol. 17. Colour plates by Peter Sarson. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-85532-496-2.
  • —; Kinnear, Jim; Aksenov, Andrey & Koshchavtsev, Aleksandr (1997). Soviet Tanks in Combat 1941–45: The T-28, T-34, T-34-85, and T-44 Medium Tanks. Hong Kong: Concord Publications. ISBN 962-361-615-5.
  • — (2000). M26/M46 Pershing Tank 1943–53. New Vanguard. Vol. 35. Illustrated by Tony Bryan & Jim Laurier (1st ed.). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-841762029. OCLC 48783982. OL 8922180M.
  • — (2002). Poland 1939: The Birth of Blitzkrieg. Campaign. Vol. 107. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-841764085. OCLC 830377626.
  • — (2002). The Kremlin's Nuclear Sword: The Rise and Fall of Russia's Strategic Nuclear Forces, 1945–2000. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. ISBN 1-58834-007-4.
  • — (2003). Battle of the Bulge 1: St Vith and the Northern Shoulder. Campaign. Vol. 115. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing.
  • — (2003). Modelling the M3/M5 Stuart Light Tank. Modelling Masterclass. Vol. 4. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-763-8.
  • — (2004). Battle of the Bulge 2: Bastogne. Campaign. Vol. 145. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing.
  • — (2004). T-54 and T-55 Main Battle Tanks 1944-2004. New Vanguard. Vol. 102. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-792-1.
  • — (2005). Anzio 1944: The Beleaguered Beachhead. Campaign. Vol. 155. Illustrated by Peter Dennis. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-913-4. OCLC 936633399. OL 8922813M.
  • — (2005). D-Day Fortifications in Normandy. Fortress. Vol. 37. Illustrated by Hugh Johnson. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-841-76876-6. OCLC 61529026.
  • — (2005). Jeeps 1941–45. New Vanguard. Vol. 117. Illustrated by Hugh Johnson. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84176-888-5.
  • — (2005). Kasserine Pass 1943: Rommel's Last Victory. Campaign. Vol. 152. Illustrated by Michael Welply. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-841-76914-2. OCLC 60793211.
  • — (2005). V-1 Flying Bomb 1942–52: Hitler's infamous "doodlebug". New Vanguard. Vol. 106. Illustrated by Jim Laurier (4th ed.). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-841767918. OCLC 60834667. OL 8922703M.
  • — (2006). Remagen 1945: Endgame against the Third Reich. Campaign. Vol. 175. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-846030185.
  • — (2006). Scud Ballistic Missile and Launch Systems 1955–2005. New Vanguard. Vol. 120. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-841769479.
  • — (2007). Japanese Tanks 1939–45. New Vanguard. Vol. 137. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-091-8.
  • — (2007). Red Sam: The SA-2 Guideline Anti-Aircraft Missile. New Vanguard. Vol. 134. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-062-8.
  • — (2007). The Siegfried Line, 1944–45: Battles on the German Frontier. Campaign. Vol. 181. Illustrated by Steve Noon. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-846-03121-2. OCLC 76365230.
  • — (2008). Armored Thunderbolt: The U.S. Army Sherman in World War II. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-811-70424-3. LCCN 2008003234. OCLC 237193918. OL 16445043M.
  • — (2008). German V-Weapon Sites 1943–45. Fortress. Vol. 72. Illustrated by Hugh Johnson & Chris Taylor. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-247-9.
  • — (2009). Modelling US Armor of World War 2. Modelling Masterclass. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-398-8.
  • — & Ford, Ken (2009). Overlord: The D-Day Landings. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-424-4.
  • — (2009). T-80 Standard Tank: The Soviet Army's Last Armored Champion. New Vanguard. Vol. 152. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-244-8.
  • — (2009). The Atlantic Wall (2): Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. Fortress. Vol. 89. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-393-3.
  • — (2010). Battle of the Bulge. Campaign. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-165-8. LCCN 2011381845. OCLC 900919720. OL 25056439M – via Internet Archive.
  • — (2010). French Tanks of World War I. New Vanguard. Vol. 173. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-513-5.
  • — (2012). M4 Sherman vs Type 97 Chi-Ha: The Pacific 1945. Duel. Vol. 43. Illustrated by Richard Chasemore. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-849086387.
  • — & Kinnear, Jim (2013). T-34-85 Medium Tank 1944–94. New Vanguard. Vol. 20. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-535-7.
  • — (2013). Tanks of Hitler's Eastern Allies 1941–45. New Vanguard. Vol. 199. Illustrated by Henry Morshead. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing.
  • — (2013). The Devil's Garden: Rommel's Desperate Defense of Omaha Beach on D-Day. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-811-71228-6. OCLC 828488810.
  • — (2019). Ploesti 1943: The Great Raid on Hitler's Romanian Oil Refineries. Air Campaign. Vol. 12. Illustrated by Steve Noon (1st ed.). Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-472831804. OCLC 1111474916. OL 28900822M.
  • — (2024). Tanks in the Philippines 1944–45: The biggest armored clashes of the Pacific War. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1472859402.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Steven J. Zaloga (born February 1, 1952, in ) is an American military historian, defense analyst, and renowned for his expertise in modern , particularly armored vehicles, missiles, unmanned aerial systems, and Soviet/Russian defense capabilities. Zaloga received a degree in history cum laude from in , and a degree in history from , with additional graduate research conducted at in , . Professionally, he serves as a senior analyst at Teal Group Corp., an aerospace consulting firm, where he leads the World Missiles Briefing, maintains the International Defense Briefing, and co-authors the World Military Unmanned Aerial Systems Market Profile & Forecast, specializing in and drone technology alongside international arms transfers. Earlier in his career, Zaloga worked as a defense analyst at DMS, Inc. from 1978 to 1986, focusing on , armored vehicles, and , and later produced and wrote for the television series on the from 1987 to 1992. He also spent over 20 years as an adjunct staff member in the Strategy, Forces, and Resources division of the Institute for Defense Analyses, retiring in 2021. Zaloga has authored several dozen books on and history, including The Kremlin's Nuclear Sword: The Rise and Fall of Russia's Strategic Nuclear Forces, 1945–2000 (Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press, 2002), Soviet Air Defense Missiles: Design, Development and Tactics (Jane's Publishing Company, 1989), and numerous titles in Osprey Publishing's New Vanguard and Elite series, such as Scud Ballistic Missile and Launch Systems 1955–2005 (2006), Allied Tanks in Normandy 1944 (2014), and US Battle Tanks 1946–2025 (2024). His publications have been translated into languages including Japanese, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian, establishing him as a leading authority on global unmanned aerial systems markets and Cold War-era weaponry. In addition to books, Zaloga has contributed extensively to professional journals and magazines, such as Jane's Intelligence Review, , Armed Forces Journal International, and Unmanned Systems, and serves on the executive board of the Journal of Slavic Military Studies.

Early life and education

Family and early influences

Steven J. Zaloga was born on February 1, 1952, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. His father, John A. Zaloga, worked as a printer and later as a foreman in the roller printer division at Arnold Print Works in Adams, Massachusetts, retiring in 1983; he was a World War II Army veteran who died in 2004. His mother, Muriel C. Zaloga (née Desautels), was a retired language teacher in the Adams Regional School District who died in 2014. Zaloga grew up in Adams, a small industrial town in western Massachusetts, alongside his brothers Tony, Daniel, and Jack, the latter of whom predeceased their father in 1980. Zaloga's interest in was influenced by his father's stories and 1960s television shows like Combat! and The Big Picture. This family environment in a working-class community provided the backdrop for Zaloga's early years before he pursued formal studies in history.

Academic background

Steven J. Zaloga earned a degree in , cum laude, from in . He initially intended to study engineering but switched to history. He subsequently obtained a degree in History from . In addition, Zaloga conducted graduate studies at the in Kraków, , where he performed research on the 1939 Polish campaign and earned a Certificate in International Affairs from the university's graduate program. These studies highlighted and , equipping him with insights into Eastern European conflicts and global strategic affairs that became central to his career in defense analysis.

Professional career

Early professional roles

Steven J. Zaloga began his professional career in defense analysis shortly after completing his graduate studies, leveraging his academic background in to enter the field of research. From 1978 to 1986, he served as a defense analyst at DMS Inc. in , where he prepared in-depth studies on topics including , armored vehicles, and missiles. During this period, he also acted as of special studies, overseeing analyses of long-term trends in defense and markets over several years. These responsibilities at DMS Inc. provided Zaloga with hands-on experience in synthesizing complex technical data and forecasting developments in military hardware, establishing a strong foundation in analytical methodologies for defense-related publications. Transitioning into media production, Zaloga joined Video Ordnance, Inc. in from 1987 to 1992, where he served as the primary producer and writer. In this role, he developed the TV documentary series , which focused on modern technology and was broadcast on the . His work involved scripting and directing content that explained advanced weaponry and tactics to broad audiences, honing his skills in communicating intricate defense concepts through visual and narrative formats. This position built directly on his prior analytical expertise, allowing him to translate research into accessible educational programming while deepening his understanding of global capabilities. Concurrently, Zaloga worked as a for Technology Training Corp., delivering specialized courses on armor and anti-armor to government and industry professionals in the United States and . These presentations covered tactical applications and technological advancements in , drawing on his accumulating knowledge from DMS and Video Ordnance. Through lecturing, he further refined his ability to engage expert audiences, reinforcing his reputation in defense and analysis. Collectively, these early roles cultivated Zaloga's proficiency in assessment and dissemination, bridging academic research with practical industry and media applications.

Current positions and affiliations

Steven J. Zaloga has served as a senior analyst at Teal Group Corp. in , since 1993, where he specializes in systems, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), and broader international trends. In this role, he leads key publications such as the World Missiles Briefing and co-authors the annual World Military Unmanned Aerial Systems Market Profile & Forecast, providing critical market analysis and forecasts for defense technologies. As of 2025, Zaloga continues to contribute actively to Teal Group's research, including updates on emerging threats like loitering munitions and air defense systems amid ongoing global conflicts. Zaloga served as an adjunct staff member in the Strategy, Forces, and Resources Division of the Institute for Defense Analyses from 1995 until his retirement in 2021, where he supported policy-oriented technical studies on defense capabilities. These experiences have informed his ongoing analytical work, bridging historical military insights with contemporary assessments of modern warfare technologies such as advanced missile defenses and unmanned systems. Zaloga served as an executive board member of the New York Military Affairs , an organization that promotes discussions between academics, military professionals, and policymakers on defense history and . Through this affiliation, he facilitated symposia and presentations that enhanced public and expert understanding of evolving military affairs, complementing his consulting expertise in and defense trends.

Authorship and publications

Major books

Steven J. Zaloga has authored over 100 books on and technology, with a primary focus on , tanks, and related developments from through the modern era. His publications, predominantly issued by , emphasize detailed technological analysis, historical context, and illustrated examinations of weaponry, often drawing on archival sources and to assess and battlefield performance. Zaloga's bibliography evolved from the early 1980s, beginning with foundational works on Soviet armor such as The T-34 Tank (1980, co-authored with James Grandsen), which provided an early illustrated overview of the iconic Soviet medium tank's and wartime role. By the , his output expanded to include comparative studies like T-34 Medium Tank 1941-45 (1994, ), analyzing the 's production variants, armor innovations, and impact on Eastern Front operations. Zaloga's expertise in Soviet and CIS tanks is evident in a series of specialized titles, including Soviet Tanks in Barbarossa 1941 (2024, Osprey Publishing), which examines the Red Army's tank deployments during the initial German invasion, highlighting equipment shortages, tactical failures, and the loss of nearly 15,000 vehicles in the summer of 1941. Other key works in this vein include Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles: 1946 to the Present (1987, Arms and Armour Press), tracing post-war Soviet designs from the JS-3 to late models like the T-80. These books underscore Zaloga's recurring theme of technological adaptation under resource constraints, often using diagrams and period photographs to illustrate armor plating, armament upgrades, and mobility features. In the realm of U.S. armored warfare, Zaloga's contributions cover both historical and contemporary developments, such as Armored Thunderbolt: The U.S. Army Sherman in World War II (2008, Stackpole Books), a comprehensive account of the M4 Sherman's variants, production of nearly 50,000 units, and its combat effectiveness across theaters despite vulnerabilities to German anti-tank weapons. His recent US Battle Tanks 1946–2025 (2024, Osprey Publishing) synthesizes post-World War II U.S. tank evolution, from the M46 Patton through the M1 Abrams series, evaluating combat performance in conflicts like the Korean War and Gulf War, and incorporating upgrades like reactive armor and active protection systems up to 2025 projections; this work received the 2024 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing Award in the Reference category. Zaloga continued this focus with Tanks in the Gulf War 1991 (2025, Osprey Publishing), detailing the pivotal role of coalition and Iraqi armored forces in Operation Desert Storm, including the M1A1 Abrams and T-72 engagements. Zaloga has also addressed Cold War armored confrontations through the Tanks at the Iron Curtain trilogy, including Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1946–60 (2021, ), Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1960–75 (2022, ), and Tanks at the Iron Curtain 1975–90 (2023, ), which details the final generation of and main battle like the and , comparing their composite armor, fire control systems, and deployment strategies along the European frontlines. These publications highlight Zaloga's analytical approach to rivalries, prioritizing empirical data on lethality and survivability over speculative scenarios.

Articles and other contributions

Zaloga has maintained a longstanding role as a frequent contributor to Military Modelling magazine, where he has authored articles focusing on armor modeling techniques, historical context for armored vehicles, and practical guidance for scale modelers. His pieces often blend with step-by-step building advice, such as his 2014 feature on constructing and finishing Tamiya's 1/35 scale Mk.IV 'Male' Tank as a captured German Beutepanzer, emphasizing and historical accuracy. Other contributions include detailed examinations of British tanks like the A15 Crusader in 1/48 scale, highlighting kit assembly challenges and schemes drawn from wartime records. These articles, spanning decades, have established him as a key voice in the modeling community for disseminating precise, research-backed insights into history. Beyond print media, Zaloga has contributed to video productions and documentaries as a , particularly on topics related to development and combat operations. Early in his career, he participated in ordnance-focused documentaries exploring and armored vehicle mechanics, leveraging his aerospace analysis background to explain technical specifications. More recently, he has appeared in online video series, including discussions on the failures of Duplex Drive (DD) amphibious Sherman tanks during the D-Day landings at , where he analyzed design flaws and operational impacts based on archival data. Additional appearances cover events like the in Operation and the German defenses at , providing expert commentary on armored tactics and equipment performance. Zaloga's analytical writings extend to defense periodicals, where he has served as a contributor to Jane's Intelligence Review and Jane's Defence Weekly, offering assessments of modern military hardware and arms trade dynamics. He also wrote a monthly column for Armed Forces Journal International and contributes to the Defense Transportation Journal, focusing on logistics and technological advancements in armored forces. These shorter-form pieces address contemporary defense issues, such as missile systems and international tank proliferation, often drawing on his role as a senior analyst at the Teal Group. In 2025, Zaloga provided forewords and reviews for specialized journals, including contributions to ARMOR magazine that contextualize postwar U.S. tank evolution, building on his broader expertise in armored vehicle history. Collectively, these articles, media appearances, and analytical outputs complement his book-length works by offering accessible, targeted explorations of niche topics—like modeling specifics or tactical case studies—that provide practical applications and updated perspectives on the historical themes covered in his major publications.

Modeling and community involvement

Scale modeling activities

Steven J. Zaloga is actively engaged in scale armor modeling as a personal hobby, focusing on the construction and detailed finishing of historical military vehicles in 1/35 scale. His projects often involve kits from manufacturers like Accurate Armour, combined with extensive scratchbuilding using materials such as sheet styrene, plastic rod, and brass reinforcements to achieve high levels of realism and historical accuracy. A prominent example of his modeling work is a featuring the German Fi 103 (V1 Buzz Bomb), where he detailed the pulse-jet engine by drilling out the exhaust, rescribed panel lines, and created a base with natural elements like twigs and ballast to depict a launch site. Zaloga, a noted scale armor modeler, is a member of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society (AMPS), through which he has shared his expertise via build articles, such as one on the Russian Mgebrov armored car. Zaloga's modeling activities intersect with his professional research on , as seen in his V1 project, where he applied knowledge from missile development studies and visits to sites like the to ensure precise representation of technical features. This hands-on practice enhances his visualization of complex vehicle designs, such as propulsion systems and armor configurations, aiding in the authentication of historical analyses in his ongoing works as of 2025.

Online communities and symposia

Steven J. Zaloga serves as a host and moderator of the Allied WWII AFV Discussion Group on Missing-Lynx.com, an online forum dedicated to armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) of the nations during , where he facilitates debates and shares expertise on topics such as design, tactics, and historical operations. Zaloga has been actively involved with the New York Military Affairs Symposium (NYMAS) and has served on its executive board, contributing to the organization of events that explore , defense policy, and . He has presented talks at NYMAS symposia, including discussions on operations like in 2001 and broader topics in . As a member of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society (AMPS), Zaloga engages with online resources and forums focused on scale modeling and historical accuracy in military vehicles, including contributions to discussions that inform modelers on technical details from his research. In 2025, his recent publications, such as US Battle Tanks 1946–2025, sparked ongoing forum threads and reviews on platforms like AMPS, where enthusiasts debate updates to tank histories and modeling techniques based on his analyses. Through these roles, Zaloga bridges scholarly military analysis with enthusiast communities by moderating technical discussions and participating in symposia that make complex historical topics accessible to modelers and historians alike.

References

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