Dynamic protection of tanks and armored vehicles of the Russian army

The problem of protecting tanks from anti-tank weapons is one of the most important in modern military technology. Each new weapon designed to penetrate tank armor forces tank systems developers to increase the protection of their vehicles.

Previously, the main method of protection was to increase the thickness of the tank's armor. But this method has its limitations, since thicker armor reduces the maneuverability and speed of the tank, and also increases its weight and size. In addition, armor reinforcement does not guarantee complete protection against modern anti-tank weapons.

To solve this problem, a dynamic protection method based on the use of a cumulative effect was developed. This method consists in the fact that special blocks are placed on the surface of the tank, consisting of many layers of metal and explosives. When an anti-tank projectile hits such a block, the explosive detonates under the action of a shock wave, forming a jet of metal particles that penetrate the tank's armor and lead to its deformation and destruction.

This protection method has a number of advantages over traditional armor enhancement methods. First, it provides more effective protection against modern anti-tank weapons. Secondly, it allows you to reduce the weight and size of the tank, since dynamic protection units can only be placed on the most vulnerable areas of the armor. Thirdly, this method is more flexible and adaptive, as it can be easily modified and improved depending on the development of the opponent's weapons.

However, it should be noted that anti-tank weapons also continue to develop, and tank protection methods must be constantly improved. Thus, the struggle between the sword and the shield, that is, between the weapon and the defense, will continue into the future. The development of new technologies and scientific research in the field of materials, energy and protection allow the creation of more and more effective and innovative methods of combating anti-tank weapons.

Some of these methods are already at the stage of research and experimentation, such as the use of electromagnetic fields to protect tanks from anti-tank projectiles, the use of lasers to shoot down anti-tank missiles, and others.

However, despite the constant development of new methods of protection, it is also important to remember the principle of balance between weapons and protection. If one of the parties develops faster than the other, this can lead to the creation of a dominant force, which can cause conflicts and crises in the world.

Thus, the development of anti-tank weapons and tank protection methods is an important task for military and scientific research organizations. This helps to ensure the safety and efficiency of military operations and to create a stronger and more stable international position.

Dynamic Tank Protection Devices (TDDS) are an effective method of defense against anti-tank weapons, using an external power source to protect the tank. As already mentioned, the main element of the ZUDT are special blocks consisting of many layers of metal and explosives. However, AFRTs can differ in the way they are activated and the way they act on the attacking munition.

According to the method of activation, the AFRT can be self-activating, non-self-activating and with external sensors. The self-activating ZUDTs detonate automatically when hit by an anti-tank projectile, requiring no additional action. Non-self-activating AFRTs require a special action, such as a blow to the block or an electrical impulse. APDS with external sensors have sensors that detect the approach of an anti-tank projectile and activate the explosives in the block.

According to the method of impact on the attacking ammunition, the ZUDT can be plane-directed plates, cumulative jets and electromagnetic impact. Planar plates are the most common type of ATGM and are layers of metal that, when the explosive is detonated, are thrown in the direction of the attacking ammunition, preventing it from penetrating into the tank's armor. Cumulative jets are also used to throw in the direction of the attacking projectile, but are formed from metal particles formed when explosives are detonated. The electromagnetic impact, in turn, uses the forces of the electromagnetic field, which can stop or deflect an anti-tank projectile.

Thus, APDS can differ in the way they are activated and the way they act on the attacking ammunition, which allows you to create more effective and adaptive methods for protecting tanks. In addition, it is possible to combine different types of WPRT in order to create a comprehensive protection system that ensures maximum effectiveness.

However, the development of a WPRT requires serious research and experimental work in order to create the most effective and reliable protection systems. It is also important to take into account not only efficiency, but also the economic feasibility and technical feasibility of using ZUDT on specific models of tanks and other combat vehicles.

Despite the fact that ATGM is one of the most effective methods of protecting tanks, it should be remembered that protection against anti-tank weapons is a continuous process that requires constant improvement and improvement of protection methods. The development of new technologies and enemy weapons requires designers of tanks and defense systems to constantly analyze and adapt defense methods in order to ensure maximum efficiency and safety of military operations.

During the Great Patriotic War, cases were noted when the cumulative jet could not penetrate the armor of the tank when it hit the closures of ammunition transported outside the hull. However, the first tests of the counter-explosion were carried out by S. I. Smolensky during the war in 1944.

In the mid-40s, Soviet scientists P. T. Alekseev and I. A. Bytensky studied the effect of a counter-explosion on a cumulative jet. In 1998, at the international symposium on ballistics, this fact was officially confirmed in a joint report by the recognized DZ meters of that time from Germany, Israel and Russia: Manfred Held, Meir Meizeles and Dmitry Rototaev.

Work on the passive and dynamic protection of tanks from cumulative weapons in the USSR was carried out in the 50s of the XX century. The first reports of the Institute of Hydrodynamics SOAN, the Moscow branch of VNII-100 and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology on this topic in the public domain date back to the end of the 50s. In 1961, NII-6 issued a report on the study of the mechanism of action of a cumulative jet with active barriers and the selection of explosives for dynamic protection. In the Novosibirsk Institute of Hydrodynamics, B. Voitsekhovsky and V. Istomin carried out work in 1957–1961, which was published only in 2000 in the work "Physics of Combustion and Explosion".

The first full-scale tests by shelling experimental elements of remote sensing in the USSR were carried out in the early 60s on the basis of 22 NIIBT at the Kubinka training ground. In 1964-1968 the work was completed. All-Russian Research Institute of Steel and Alloys (formerly FVNII-100, and now "Steel Research Institute") reported on the creation of dynamic protection using explosives (HE) as an active element. However, Marshal A.Kh. Babadzhanyan vetoed the installation of remote sensing, perhaps because of the disappearing concept of "tank landing" or simply because of the reluctance to wind explosives on combat vehicles after unsuccessful tests.

The first applications for the design of dynamic protection were filed in the United States in 1967. The first patent for DZ (No. 2053345) was registered in Germany in 1970 by the Norwegian Manfred Held. In the mid-70s, the first scientific work on remote sensing appeared in France and England. Dr. Held has worked with the Israeli Rafael Armament Development Authority.

Thus, the history of the development of dynamic protection of tanks is associated with many scientists and engineers who conducted research and testing of various types of protective devices. The use of counter-explosion and explosives as an active element of dynamic protection was an important stage in its development and increased the effectiveness of tank protection against cumulative weapons.

Blazer G.A. was an employee of the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant (p / box A-3595), which was engaged in the creation of models of dynamic protection (DZ). In the 1970s, he left for Israel. In 1982, during the Lebanese war, for the first time in practice, Israeli troops used the Baltan (Blazer) remote sensing system installed on the M-48, M-69 and Centurion tanks.

According to legend, one of the modernized American M48A3 tanks, called "Magah-3", appeared in the Soviet Union. It is not clear how this happened, but after that all Soviet tanks were instantly equipped with dynamic protection. However, in reality, everything happened a little differently.

Tests of DZ "Contact" on tanks T-80B, T-72A, T-64B, T-62 and T-55A took place in November-December 1982 by decision of the Commission of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers of the USSR on military-industrial issues No. 236 dated June 2, 1982 the year when all R&D had already been completed. The team of the Research Institute of Steel continued to work on improving a new type of protection, and one of their projects was "Fox". The Lebanese war, of course, accelerated the testing and adoption of the new DZ model, but was not its revival, since it had already been created.

The department of dynamic protection of the Research Institute of Steel under the leadership of A. I. Platov continued to work on improving a new type of protection, and in 1978 D. A. Rototaev, who headed the direction, picked up the baton. Thus, the history of the development of remote sensing is connected with the work of scientists and engineers who continued research and testing of various types of protective devices, despite the ongoing events in the world.

In the USSR, work on the creation of dynamic protection using explosives was carried out in several directions. One of the first projects was a three-dimensional construction with the designation "Cross". In addition, as part of the research, designs with elongated shaped charges were used, which were later used in the Ukrainian dynamic protection "Knife" and "Duplet". But the most effective option was the design using flat elements of dynamic protection, on the basis of which the "Contact" series of protection was created.

The history of the creation of dynamic protection using explosives is a story full of plot and adventure, worthy not only of a separate article, but also of a story. Nevertheless, the fact remains: the lightning-fast equipping of the USSR tank fleet with effective dynamic protection changed not only the concept of anti-tank warfare in NATO countries, but also forced anti-tank aircraft to make a technological breakthrough to successfully fight a tank.

The hinged dynamic protection complex "Contact" with 4S20 elements is a container, which consists of a stamped box with a lid (bottom), pressure dampers and connection bolts. The container contains two 4S20 elements, each of which is a plastic explosive PVV-5A, 5,4 mm thick, coated on both sides with steel plates 2,3 mm thick. The mass of explosives in one element is 260 g (280 g in TNT equivalent).

The principle of operation is that when a cumulative jet enters the container body, initialization begins. The speed of the cumulative jet is 8-10 km / s, which provides a high impulse for the detonation of the inert explosives PVV-5A. The metal ribs of the 4C20 element rush towards and after the cumulative jet, and the damaged cumulative jet will meet again with the second 4C20 element.

Two pieces of explosives and the metal of four thin plates in the container resist the cumulative jet. The plates, moving at an angle to the cumulative jet, hit it, and the lateral momentum from the impact destabilizes the cumulative jet. Thus, the explosive charge plays an auxiliary role in the container as an energy source for metal plates, which directly affect the cumulative jet.

Empirically, it was found that the cumulative jet receives the greatest destruction when it meets a metal plate at an angle of 68-70 degrees, which reduces the armor penetration of the jet by 75% (when it encounters one 4C20 element). If the meeting occurs along the normal, that is, at an angle of 90 degrees, then the shaped charge loses only 12% of its strength (also when meeting with one 4C20 element).

That is why the two elements are at an angle in the container. In this case, if one plate meets the jet at a right angle, then the other will take it into a "normal" embrace, and both of them will reduce the armor penetration of the cumulative jet by no longer a modest 12%, but quite worthy 55%. An angle of 9 degrees is not clearly calibrated, but "calculation-convenient".

With a total meeting angle of plates with a cumulative jet of 60 degrees, armor penetration drops by 80%. And when meeting at an angle of 68 degrees, the maximum protection efficiency and armor penetration of the cumulative jet drops by 90%. On military flight paths, dynamic protection systems are laid close to 68 degrees. And that is why on the front of the tank turret they build an "acute corner" structure, on which the containers are attached with a "triangle".

The container of the complex is a stamped box with a lid (bottom), pressure dampers and bolted connections. The container contains two 4C20 elements, each of which is a layered cake made of plastic explosive PVB-5A, coated on both sides with 2,3 mm thick steel plates. The mass of explosives in one element is 260 g.

When a cumulative jet met a metal plate at an angle of 68-70 degrees, the armor penetration of the jet fell by 75% when it met one 4C20 element. At a total angle of 60 degrees between the plates and the cumulative jet, armor penetration drops by 80%, and when they meet at an angle of 68 degrees, the maximum protection efficiency and armor penetration of the cumulative jet drops by 90%.

KDZ "Contact" was installed on various models of tanks, such as T-64AV, T-64BV, T-72AV, T-80BV, T-62MV, T-55AMV. The weight of the container without fasteners was 5,3 kg, and 72 containers were mounted on the T-227B tank. KDZ "Contact" reduced the armor penetration of cumulative rounds by 150-300 mm.

However, the complex also had its downsides. The containers could break through when fired, violating the integrity of the 4S20 plates. When one container was detonated, neighboring containers could break off the bonnets and fly away in different directions, which exposed a certain area of ​​​​armor, where a new cumulative shot could "fly" with impunity. In addition, due to the design features of the "Contact", he could not "hold" armor-piercing fragmentation hits.

Despite the disadvantages, KDZ "Contact" is considered one of the most effective means of protection against cumulative ammunition. It was installed on many tanks of the USSR and became widespread. At the end of the 80s, the massive installation of KDZ on tanks began, which made it possible to increase their armor protection.

With the advent of new types of cumulative ammunition, KDZ "Contact" became obsolete. Currently, to protect against modern cumulative ammunition, other dynamic protection systems are used, such as "Kontakt-5" and "Reaktiv".

Thus, KDZ "Contact" is one of the brightest examples of a technological breakthrough in the field of tank armor protection. Thanks to this development, the tanks of the USSR gained a significant advantage in battle and influenced the change in the strategy of opponents in anti-tank combat.

KDZ "Contact" demonstrated high efficiency in protecting tanks and was one of the best systems at the time of development. The crews of T-80BV tanks with KDZ "Kontakt" were able to prove their endurance and reliability in combat conditions. Their ability to withstand HEAT shots was impressive, as they could even withstand two hits in the same area.

However, over time, new protection systems appeared, which had some differences from the KDZ "Contact". These systems were more advanced and effective in dealing with modern types of ammunition. Nevertheless, KDZ "Contact" remains an important historical development in the field of tank protection.

The "Kontakt-V" universal built-in dynamic protection complex with 4S22 elements was put into service in 1986 and became the first protection in the world that reduced the striking characteristics of both HEAT and armor-piercing sub-caliber projectiles. Experimental vehicles with new protection appeared in Leningrad in 1984.

The new protection was built-in, not hinged. Sections are installed on the armor, in which 4S22 elements are laid, and closed with screw caps (plates) 16 mm thick. When the cumulative jet penetrates, the explosive is detonated, and the cover (plate) is thrown at a speed of 300-400 m / s onto the attacked armor-piercing fragmentation projectile, breaking or damaging it, or crossing the cumulative jet if it was a cumulative shot.

The container is made of thicker steel than "Contact". Ready-made welded corner containers are mounted on the tower, in which elements of dynamic protection are laid. They are designed to meet the ammunition at a 68 degree angle.

The mass of explosive in 4S22 plates has been increased to 280 g (330 g in TNT equivalent). "Contact-5" reduces the armor penetration of cumulative rounds by an average of 200-400 mm. Decrease in the effectiveness of armor-piercing fragmentation shells by 20-30% (about 100 mm of armor). The American armor-piercing fragmentation projectile M829A1 "Contact-5" also copes well with protection.

In the complex, the total number of dynamic protection sections is 26 pieces, and 4S22 elements - 360 pieces. The complex is installed on T-80U, T-80UD, T-90, T-72BA, T-72B

The complex of universal dynamic protection of the modular type "Relikt" with 4S23 elements has a higher sensitivity than previous models to initiate incoming BOPS. KDZ is placed in modules with a total thickness of 80 mm, which are a structure that is superimposed on top of the armor.

The complex consists of an upper throwable plate 16 mm thick, 4S23 elements, a lower thrown plate, a void and an outer hull of the tank. When a cumulative jet or BOPS core penetrates, the 4C23 elements are detonated and the outer plate is thrown onto the attacking ammunition. In the future, due to the presence of a cavity between the armor and the KDZ, the second plate is thrown in pursuit. The second plate is heavier than the first, moves at a lower speed and has the greatest destructive effect on the BOPS.

The new explosive used in this complex made it possible to increase the efficiency and reliability of the KDZ against BOPS, including low-speed ones, from which Kontakt-5 worked unstably. "Relic" reduces the armor penetration of HEAT shots by an average of 500-700 mm. Due to the presence of two missile plates in the DZ blocks, this complex is quite effective against tandem cumulative ammunition. "Relic" reduces the effectiveness of BOPS by 40–50%, which is a significant decrease in the penetration characteristics of such BOPS as M829A2, M829A3. They are the main and "serious" shots of NATO.

The modularity of the complex provides better maintainability compared to previous protection models. In total, there are 27 DZ sections and 394 4S23 elements in the complex.

In addition, due to the modular design, the Relikt complex can be easily installed and dismantled, which facilitates the maintenance and repair of tanks equipped with this protection.

It is also worth noting that the Relikt complex has a wider range of protection than its predecessor, Contact-5. For example, unlike Kontakt-5, which was ineffective against low-velocity BOPS, Relikt has reliable protection against such ammunition.

Moreover, thanks to the use of a new explosive, Relikt provides higher efficiency compared to Kontakt-5, which allows it to reliably protect tanks from the most serious threats on the battlefield.

The total number of 4S23 elements in the Relikt complex is 394 pieces, and the number of DZ sections is 27 pieces. In addition to the T-90 "Proryv-3", this complex can also be installed on the BMPT and T-80BVM.

In general, the Relikt universal dynamic protection complex with 4S23 elements is a major improvement over previous protection models, which allows Russian tanks to effectively defend themselves against the most serious threats on the battlefield.

The dynamic protection complex with 4S24 elements is mounted and was put into service in 2006. It contains two times less explosive than its predecessor 4S20, but at the same time provides the same level of anti-cumulative protection.

A feature of this complex is that the elements of dynamic protection are placed in a container between layers of foamed polymer material. This makes it possible to exclude the destruction of the lightly armored hull and ensures smooth braking of metal plates scattered by detonation. This solution also solves the problem of the integrity of adjacent dynamic protection containers.

It is strange, but the dynamic protection complex was developed for light armored vehicles already in 2000, however, its use was not in demand either in Russia or abroad, with the exception of infantry fighting vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and MT-LB. However, foreign countries, namely the UAE, turned out to be interested in this development. As in the case of the BMP-3 and the Pantsir air defense system, foreign customers helped Russian specialists improve their developments.

On the basis of the 4S24 element, the specialists of the Research Institute of Steel have developed a series of dynamic protection systems for installation on light armored vehicles. In particular, the Karkas-2 complex is designed for the BMP-3, Berezhok for the BMP-2, and Typhon for the BTR-90. These complexes provide reliable protection against RPGs with PG-7 and PG-9 rounds in any heading angles, which is especially important in urban battles.

The complexes have a number of advantages, including protection against slippage of the leading part of the cumulative jet, the absence of detonation transfer between the elements of the remote sensing inside the container and the absence of detonation of adjacent containers of the remote sensing missile when the remote sensing unit is activated.

In the "terribly civilized world", such as the USA, Germany, France, Israel, etc., dynamic protection on tanks is used as a built-in "layer cake" of the main armor, or as an auxiliary to protect weakened projections. However, on light armored vehicles, dynamic protection has now become a craze, up to the obligatory paraphernalia of anti-cumulative protection. For example, the United States uses DZ systems for the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, the Stryker armored personnel carrier and the M113 armored personnel carrier, and Germany for the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. DZ systems for the protection of light armored vehicles are also available in Italy, France, Israel, Spain, Poland and other countries.

Malachite is a fourth-generation modular dynamic protection system developed by the Research Institute of Steel in Russia. It is used in combat vehicles of the "Armata" family, such as the T-14 tank, T-15 infantry fighting vehicles and others.

The internal design of the dynamic armor of the T-14 tank was partially disclosed by the designers. They reported increased resistance to armor-piercing feathered sabots (BOPS), improved protection against heavy ATGM missiles, and increased protection efficiency due to increased destruction of projectiles and missiles with less explosive. However, the design of the new dynamic protection system was not disclosed.

Some constructors' statements may indicate a fundamentally new version of the module design. They report an unusual increase in protection efficiency and the ability to reflect BOPS without reference to the main booking. The designers also announce a fundamentally new VDZ design.

National Interest experts published a conclusion on September 16, 2016, where they pointed out the possibility of electronic control of the detonation of VDZ modules in Malachite. This presumably integrates with the Afghanit active defense system. Experts say Afghanit's radar can command VDZ modules to preemptively detonate, which improves effectiveness against large ATGM tandem warheads such as TOWs. This scenario of VDZ activation is especially important for destroying ATGMs attacking the Armata in the upper hemisphere, such as the TOW-2B.

ERA on the T-14 tank is a new generation of dynamic armor that has been developed to protect against modern NATO APCRs, including DM53 and DM63. These projectiles were specially designed to penetrate the existing Russian dynamic defenses "Kontakt-5" and "Relikt".

To protect against these new projectiles, the T-14 tank was equipped with third-generation dynamic protection, which was developed by the Research Institute of Steel. It is rated as protection against American M829A2 and M829A3 class BOPS with armor penetration up to 800mm. Some experts believe that the protection of the T-14 sides covered by Malachite is equivalent to armor of at least 700-750 mm, although other experts consider these estimates to be too high.

In addition, the developers of the T-14 claim that their new dynamic protection is capable of withstanding heavy ATGM missiles, including those with powerful warheads, such as the Javelin, at an approach angle of up to 60 degrees and even when attacking a tank roof. However, the detailed technical characteristics of the new dynamic protection are not reported by the developers, except for the fact that it is superior to the protection of "Contact-5" and "Relic". VDZ "Relikt" is able to withstand even tandem ammunition and ammunition of the "shock core" type by throwing a massive armored cap in their direction.

For the T-14 tank, almost complete protection against light RPG missiles was developed without blinding the tank from the loss of instruments. According to the designers, the use of hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers against the Malachite will not have a significant effect, since even modern RPGs with a tandem warhead will not be able to hit a tank in 95% of cases.

However, a multiple RPG hit on a tank can create multiple detonations of VDZ modules, which have a comparable amount of explosive to an RPG, amplifying the shock wave and damaging the tank's instruments. This also increases the risk of concussion of their own infantry, which covers the tank from grenade launchers.

To solve this problem, a new technology was applied to the T-14, which destroys RPGs and ATGMs with less explosives. This eliminates damage to the tank's instruments and increases the safety of their own infantry. In addition, the designers claim that the T-14 is equipped with almost complete protection against light RPG missiles, which is standard for modern tanks.

For example, the dynamic protection of the Challenger 2 tank successfully withstood up to 15 hits from an RPG-7, while saving the life of the crew, but the tank lost the ability to move and became "blind", losing its instruments and, consequently, the ability to fire at the surrounding infantry.