Tanks whose protection is active. Active tank armor: principle of operation. Invention of active armor

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

And in this article we will look at what active armor is. Note - the topic is quite interesting and necessary. So, active protection is a system for firing specific warheads connected to a radar device of local influence. These systems are placed on tanks.

If a tank, for example, a T-72 with active armor, has detected ammunition approaching it (anti-tank grenade launchers, etc.), the team launches a projectile that explodes when approaching a dangerous object. What happens next? A cloud of fragments is formed, either destroying or greatly weakening the effect of a dangerous object. It should be noted that scientists have also developed devices that work with protective charges that do not need to be launched.

In the Russian Federation

How did active tank armor come about? It was developed and implemented by Soviet weapon manufacturers. The concept of active protection of iron machines was first voiced in one of the Tula design bureaus, around 1950. The first complex of innovative inventionDrozd was installed on the T-55AD tank, which the army received in 1983.

In general, "Drozd" is the world's first design adopted for service and mass-produced. Its performance allowed the use of the tank without restrictions.

By the way, active armor significantly (twice or more) increases the stamina of iron giants.

In 1980, the Drozd system was modernized and received the Drozd-2 index. At the same time, the Arena active protection was developed, but due to the collapse of the post-Soviet space, it did not go into the series in the same way as the updated complex.

The invention of the active armor "Arena" contributed to the solution of some problems. For example, earlier, when an attacking warhead was destroyed, its own infantry was hit by fragments of a rocket-propelled grenade or ATGM and anti-missiles. And now the scattering of fragments (from top to bottom) and the trajectory of the protective block were calculated in such a way as to completely eliminate the zone of continuous destruction and at the same time guarantee the destruction of the attacking missile.

Today, the Kolomna KBM KAZ is working on the Armata platform. Specialists are working hard on the Afghanit complex. They say that the structure will have a millimeter-wave radar in its composition, and an impact core will be used to eliminate targets instead of the traditional spatial fragmentation stream.

The intercepted target is likely to move at a maximum speed of 1700 m/s.

Foreign developments

And in what other countries was it developedactive tank armor? It was created in France, USA, Germany and Israel. But the USSR suddenly collapsed, and all these attempts lost their relevance. In addition, military budgets were cut, and this led to numerous funerals for unique projects.

There is only one exception - the Ukrainian system "Barrier". It was she who was brought to the level of existing samples. Of course, by April 2010, the design had not yet had time to pass state testing and enter service with the Ukrainian army, but it was very actively advertised for export.

I wonder how active armor works? For example, the Zaslon complex has interesting features - anti-missile warheads are not fired back, but are suppressed directly on the surface of a military vehicle. Also, according to the developers, the issue of eliminating warheads storming from above has been resolved. Moreover, under the influence of the echeloned fragmentation flow and the blast wave, the warheads with a metal one-piece shell (BOPS) change their path. They either meet with the base armor at an unfavorable angle, or go beyond the zone of the shielded object. It is these nuances that place this system in the category of protective universal means.

When armor is active, we'll look further, but now let's turn our attention to the West. In 2004-2006, intensive development of active protective systems began in Western countries. The Americans also accelerated the creation of such systems: they were forced to deal with constant shelling of military columns from RPG-7 inIraq. In addition, the Lebanese second war with the concentrated use of ATGMs and grenade launchers has spoiled the nerves of the US leadership.

It is known that if in America the Quick Kill system requires more impressive refinement, then in Israel Trophy and Iron Fist are already in working order. When the 2006 war ended, experts decided to equip the Merkava-4 tank with the Trophy active protection system (KAZ) (made in Israel). This system is capable of destroying ATGM / RPG shells that threaten the car. That is why the Mk.4 is the first foreign MBT from KAZ.

It should be noted that active protection was not installed on the first tanks just because of insufficient funding. Serial production of "iron colossi" equipped with KAZ "Trophy", designated "Merkava Mk.4M", began in the last months of 2008. And already in 2009 they began to enter the army.

In general, the uniqueness of this Israeli complex lies in automatic reloading. In addition, it can hit multiple objects at the same time.

Problems

Many people say that if a tank's armor is active, it will emerge victorious from any alteration. But all protection systems have common shortcomings. It is not clear how the complex will work with impressive shaking. Many ATGMs (for example, the FGM-148 Javelin) hit the roof of the tank, bypassing the protected perimeter. An explosion a few meters from the "iron giant" may damage the equipment placed on the roof. The defense system will probably also fail.

Also, the ultimate performance of the device with the need to recharge does not allow you to defend against multiple attacks from one side. It was this feature that was taken into account when developing the RPG-30, equipped with an advanced warhead that ensures the operation of the protective device at a distance safe for a rocket-propelled grenade.

T-62

Now let's find out what is the T-62 tank with active armor? In general, the T-62 ("Object 166") is a medium Soviet tank. It is designed on the basis of the T-55 tank. It was made in the USSR from 1961 to 1975. This is the world's first machine with a 115 mm smoothbore gun and the weight of a medium tank at the maximum level of armor (the concept of a basic military vehicle).

History of Creation

The T-54/55, the basic medium tank, was in service with the Soviet Union in the 1950s. The machine was constantly improved, its firepower increased, but its rifled 100-mm D-10T gun remained the same.

Until 1961, the D-10T fought only with small-caliber armor-piercing shells, and by 1950 it could no longer effectively defeat the new M48 medium tank (made in the USA). And Western tanks at that time already worked with sub-caliber warheads with a detachable pallet and non-rotating cumulative warheads that pierced the armor of a Soviet tank at normal combat distances.

Two groups of Soviet tank builders of the 1950s worked on the creation of the T-62. The first one was engaged in the development of new weapons for medium tanks, and the second one implemented the initiative projects of the Uralvagonzavod Design Bureau -created a promising medium tank to replace the T-54/55.

Interestingly, in 1958 the design bureau of Uralvagonzavod completed work on the promising Object 140 tank. The initiator of the completion of the project was L. N. Kartsev, who served as the chief designer of the plant. It was he who considered the new car too low-tech and difficult to operate.

Anticipating such an outcome, the experts simultaneously developed the Object 165 tank, which was a kind of hybrid consisting of the turret and hull of the Object 140, the combat section of the Object 150, and the motor-transmission part and running gear of the T-55. Factory testing of the product was completed in 1958: following its results, the Ministry of Defense approved the draft of the second version of the "Object 165", even more similar in structure to the serial T-55.

Besides the Object 165, a large number of other promising medium tanks were developed in the 1950s. They were to be armed with a new rifled 100-mm gun D-54 (U-8TS), created in 1953. Compared to the D-10, the D-54 had 25% more armor penetration, and the primary speed of its armor-piercing missile was increased from 895 to 1015 m/s. But even these parameters were considered insufficient for a successful fight against Western tanks, and more modern types of shells did not yet exist.

It should be noted that there were serious objections from the military about the presence of a muzzle brake on the D-54. This device, when fired, contributed to the formation of a snow, dust or sand cloud, unmasking the tank andinterfering with the observation of the results of the firing. In addition, many feared that the muzzle wave would negatively affect the tank assault and escort infantry.

T-72B base tank with active armor

I wonder what the T-72B tank with active armor is like? This is a 1985 version. It differs from its ancestors in the presence of a coordinated missile weapon system and powerful armor shielding of the tower. In addition, this machine is equipped with a hinged dynamic protection, built from 227 containers, more than half of which are located on the tower.

It is known that the tank with active armor T-72B was designed during the modernization of the T-72A. The vehicle is the third generation of MBT: it is equipped with the Kontakt reactive guard, an improved SLA (has a 2E42-2 two-plane gun stabilizer for firing on the move) and a 9K120 Svir coordinated weapon system (equipped with a 1K13-49 guidance device). The modernization of the tower entailed an increase in weight to 44.5 tons.

T-90

And what is the T-90 active armor good for? It is known that the T-90 "Vladimir" is the basic military tank of Russia. It was created in the late 1980s as a deep improvement of the T-72B tank, referred to as the "Modernized T-72B". But in 1992 he entered the army already under the T-90 index.

When Potkin V. I. (the chief designer of the tank) died, the government of the Russian Federation decided to name the T-90 "Vladimir".

By the way, between 2001 and 2010, the T-90 was considered the best-selling new MBT on the world market.

I wonderthat in 2010 the T-90 was purchased under contracts for the Russian army at a price of 70 million rubles. By 2011, the cost of the T-90 increased and amounted to 118 million rubles. Since the end of 2011, the purchase of T-90s for Russian troops has been discontinued.

September 9, 2011 in Nizhny Tagil at the international exhibition was shown publicly T-90SM, a new export sample of the T-90.

Active Intercession

Does the T-90 have protection active? He has traditional armor, there is also dynamic protection. In addition, this machine is equipped with active protection, built from the Shtora-1 optical-electronic suppression system. This device is designed to protect the iron giant from being hit by coordinated anti-tank missiles and is designed from the Shtora-1 station and a curtain-forming device.

By the way, "Shtora-1" is designed to protect against missiles equipped with a self-loading guidance system. It is constructed from a pair of modulators, two infrared searchlights OTSHU-1-7 and a control panel.

Everyone knows that when the defense is active, the armor is impenetrable. The device that forms the curtain counteracts guided warheads, which are equipped with self-loading laser beam guidance or laser homing. This device also interferes with laser rangefinders and smoke screens.

This structure consists of a set of laser radiation indicators, constructed from two coarse and two fine direction sensors, a coordination device and twelve launchers.aerosol-filled grenade systems.

This is a truly unique invention - active armor. Its principle of operation is as follows: if a tank is exposed to laser radiation, the system that forms the curtains determines the direction of the outgoing danger and notifies the crew. Further, either at the direction of the crew commander, or automatically, an aerosol grenade is fired, which creates an aerosol cloud that neutralizes laser radiation, disrupting the missile's guidance systems. In addition, the newly appeared cloud masks the iron machine, turning into a smoke screen.

Afghanite

So, let's continue to consider what active armor is. "Afganit" - the active defense system (KAZ) of the tank. It was created by Russian specialists in the 2010s.

This device protects heavy armored vehicles from cumulative anti-tank missiles (ATGMs and KS) and sub-caliber warheads.

Constructed from a radar unit, optical-electronic sensors and laser aiming devices, a pair of conversion units, a control panel, a computer, a set of cables, a junction box, protective weapons in the installation shafts.

The projectile protection is mainly located under the turret on the hull, so it is hardly vulnerable to most warheads, unlike other KAZ. This device has duplicated radar instruments. It is equipped with a jamming system and has the ability to eliminate ammunition using an anti-aircraft machine gun and a basic AFAR radar. By the way, such a protection scheme, in fact, alsocan be considered a separate independent complex.

The creators of "Afghanit" acquired patent RU 2263268 for a defense device operating on the principle of "nuclear strike", which allows you to shoot down promising missiles at speeds up to 3000 m/s. Today (before the end of state testing), attention is paid to the option with a target speed of up to 1700 m/s. Such a device will be able to intercept almost any warhead moving at maximum speed.

First of all, "Afghanit" is an impact core launched from a fired warhead, first in the direction of attachment of the missile container (straight), then in any direction. The device is capable of effectively destroying attacking targets of all types. The turret also contains two types of jamming munitions, sheltered from side impacts, which camouflage the tank at the time of attack from various modern anti-tank missiles.

By the way, the AFAR radar is an independent system.

Manipulation principle

Step by step, the system works as follows:

• Uses data received via communication channels that are hidden from the enemy, from various means of detection and resistant to interference. The system relies on personal guidance and detection tools.
• Detection of threats through LRS. On the Afghanit models for the T-14 and T-15, threats are tracked through the AFAR type panoramic radar with an impressive detection range.
• The type of threat is set as part of the execution of short-range protection tasks by toolsKAZ.

Capture sequence:

• The threat is attacked by air defenses (T-15 uses a 30 mm gun and ATGM with anti-aircraft missiles, and T-14 uses a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun).
• Creating interference by means of destroying aiming devices, attacking systems. Destruction is being carried out by KAZ forces.
• Interception by counter-warheads. The interception operates in a diameter of up to twenty meters (it also neutralizes sub-caliber shells).

The launch tubes "Afganit", located under the tower, can be placed as large missiles, and prefabricated (two or three ammunition each). The last option corresponds to the logic of the preparatory shooting of the interceptor, followed by a programmed target shot with a shock core.

It was officially revealed that the upper hemisphere is camouflaged with KAZ, so there is a possibility of using software undermining. Potentially, such interceptors are placed in cluster anti-tank MLRS warheads with a caliber of about 200 mm.

By the way, two types of warheads attached to the roof can be both a cause of interference and a means of destroying low-value warheads that attack en masse. In addition, in the roof, one of the ammunition can serve as a long-term cover grenade with interference or a grenade with interference from other frequency ranges.

In this case, it is necessary to take into account the presence of a total coverage of the T-14 and T-15, which is very effective in protecting against cluster shells.

We hope that this article will help you in a deeper study of the active protection of tanks.