A recent picture circulating on social media reveals an American-made M1A1SA Main Battle Tank, donated by the United States to Ukraine, now equipped with additional armor. This tank features Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) mounted at the front of the hull, highlighting a significant enhancement in its protection against the current threats on the Ukrainian battlefield.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Ukrainian Abrams M1A1SA tank upgraded with Soviet-made Kontakt-1 Explosive Reactive Armor mounted at the front of the hull. (Picture source X Account The Dead District)
The M1A1SA (Situational Awareness) is an upgraded version of the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank, designed to enhance its electronics, situational awareness, and survivability. The upgrades include improved electronics that integrate with modern digital communication systems, such as updates to the tank's fire control system, communications equipment, and other electronic components. These enhancements are crucial for providing the tank crew with more accurate and timely information, enabling them to better understand and react to the battlefield environment.
When it comes to survivability, the M1A1SA leaves no room for compromise. It features upgraded armor packages and other protective measures designed to withstand enemy fire and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) more effectively. The tank's ability to protect its crew is not just a feature, it's a promise. While the M1A1SA retains the same engine and basic mobility features as the original M1A1, minor improvements ensure better overall performance and reliability.
The Ukrainian army upgrades US M1A1 tanks with Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) to enhance their protection against modern threats, particularly anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and other high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions. This decision is driven by the need for increased protection, as Kontakt-1 ERA provides an additional layer of defense against shaped charges and kinetic energy penetrators. By disrupting the penetration of incoming projectiles, this armor reduces the likelihood of catastrophic damage to the tank and improves crew survivability.
Moreover, Ukrainian forces face a variety of advanced anti-tank weapons on the battlefield, including those used by adversaries in the region. Upgrading tanks with Kontakt-1 ERA helps to mitigate the effectiveness of these threats, offering better protection against the kinds of munitions most commonly encountered. Kontakt-1 is a well-established and widely used ERA system in the Ukrainian military, ensuring compatibility with their logistical and maintenance infrastructure. This familiarity and availability make it a practical choice for enhancing the defensive capabilities of the M1A1 tanks.
Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) is a Soviet-developed system designed to improve the survivability of armored vehicles against modern anti-tank threats. Developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it became widely deployed on Soviet and later Russian tanks and other armored vehicles. Technically, Kontakt-1 consists of explosive-filled metal plates arranged in a layered configuration. When an incoming projectile strikes these plates, the explosive material detonates, causing the plates to rapidly move and disrupt the penetration of the projectile.
The primary function of Kontakt-1 ERA is to counter the effects of shaped charges, such as those found in anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions. Shaped charges work by focusing the explosive energy into a narrow jet, which can penetrate thick armor. When Kontakt-1 detonates, it disrupts this focused jet, reducing its effectiveness and preventing it from penetrating the underlying armor. This disruption is achieved through the kinetic interaction between the moving plates and the penetrator, which either deforms or deflects the jet, thus diminishing its penetrating power.
Kontakt-1 ERA also provides protection against kinetic energy penetrators, such as armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds, though it is primarily designed to counter HEAT threats. The additional layer of protection offered by Kontakt-1 ERA can significantly enhance the survivability of armored vehicles on the battlefield.
In conclusion, adding Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) to the original M1A1SA main battle tank significantly enhances its battlefield survivability. This upgrade protects against modern anti-tank threats, such as shaped charges found in anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) munitions. By disrupting the penetration mechanisms of these projectiles, Kontakt-1 ERA reduces the likelihood of catastrophic damage and improves crew safety. This enhancement is particularly valuable given the diverse and advanced anti-tank weaponry encountered on contemporary battlefields. Additionally, the widespread use and familiarity of Kontakt-1 within the Ukrainian military ensure compatibility and ease of integration, making it a practical and effective upgrade for the M1A1SA tanks.
The U.S. Army demonstrated the capabilities of the advanced Dronebuster technology during the Eager Lion 2024 military exercise in Jordan. During this exercise, Sgt. Jose Arellano, from the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, showcased how the Dronebuster effectively counters drone threats by overwhelming their control frequency. This capability is increasingly vital as the global use of drones continues to rise.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
U.S. Army Sgt. Jose Arellano, assigned to 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, demonstrates the proper form for employing a Dronebuster to counter drone threats at Eager Lion 2024 in Jordan, May 13, 2024. (Picture source U.S. DoD)
Eager Lion 2024, a globally significant multilateral exercise hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, involves military personnel from 33 nations. This annual event, of paramount importance, aims to foster the exchange of military expertise and enhance interoperability among participating nations. It also underscores the strong military relationship between the United States and the Jordanian Armed Forces.
The Dronebuster, developed by Radio Hill Technologies (RHT) and now produced by Flex Force, is an RF jammer designed to neutralize drones. The device disrupts the drone's control frequency, forcing it to return to its operator. It can also interfere with GPS/GNSS signals, causing the drone to hover, land, or crash.
Since its inception, the Dronebuster has seen a remarkable journey of adoption and deployment. In June 2017, RHT secured a contract to sell 100 Block 3 Dronebusters to the U.S. Air Force. By the end of 2017, RHT had delivered 200 Block 3 units to the U.S. Department of Defense and NATO partners, marking a significant milestone. Following its merger with Flex Force in January 2019, the company has continued to advance the technology, delivering the 1,000th system in February 2022, a testament to its growing importance in modern military operations.
The Dronebuster comes in various configurations, including Block 3 and Block 3B. Both configurations can be used as stand-alone, man-portable systems or integrated into a broader counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) solution. The Block 3 variant supports line-of-sight (LOS) operations, while the Block 3B can operate beyond line-of-sight (BLOS).
The counter-drone portable weapon Dronebuster has a compact and lightweight design, making it highly portable. Block 3 measures 21 inches in length, 6.5 inches in width, and 11 inches in height and weighs 4.1 pounds. The Block 3B is slightly larger and heavier, measuring 22 inches long, 5.5 inches wide, and 10.5 inches high, and weighs 6.4 pounds.
The demonstration at Eager Lion 2024 showcased the effectiveness of the Dronebuster and emphasized the importance of such technology in modern military operations. As drone threats continue to evolve, the integration of advanced countermeasures like the Dronebuster is crucial for maintaining operational security and effectiveness in diverse military engagements.
Portable counter-drone solutions, like the Dronebuster, are crucial for modern soldiers as they provide a flexible and effective means to neutralize drone threats in various combat scenarios. These handheld devices can disrupt a drone's control frequency and GPS signals, ensuring quick and reliable defense against surveillance, reconnaissance, and potential attack drones. Their portability allows soldiers to deploy them in diverse terrains and rapidly changing situations, enhancing operational security and effectiveness while minimizing the risks posed by the increasing prevalence of drone technology in modern warfare.
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Iran continues to advance its defense capabilities by upgrading Soviet-era armored vehicles, showcasing one of its latest developments, the Heidar-7, during the military parade held on April 18, 2024, celebrating the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Day. The Heidar-7, a modernized version of the Soviet-made BTR-60PB, features significant enhancements including a new turret equipped with a 23mm automatic cannon and enhanced protection with Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) on the turret and hull sides.
The Krasukha, a Russian-manufactured electronic warfare system, plays a critical role in the Russian military's operations in Ukraine by targeting enemy radar systems from the ground. This equipment is specifically designed to jam signals across a broad spectrum, focusing on disrupting airborne electronics, such as those in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), radar-guided missiles, and other airborne systems.
NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) program is broadening its scope with the inclusion of new locations, notably welcoming Finland into its expanding network. This follows the DIANA board's endorsement of a proposal to set up an accelerator and two testing facilities within Finland, aiming to foster the development of technology and innovation across both civilian and defense industries.
U.S. soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division, typically engaged in field exercises with Abrams tanks, Stryker and Bradley combat vehicles, are now exploring a novel virtual synthetic training environment (STE) indoors, as reported by Michael M. Novogradac from the U.S. Army Operational Test Command.
More than 4,000 U.S. service members, military civilians, and joint and multinational force members have united to explore the future of warfighting communications, operations, and maneuvers. Reporting from the 24th Theater Public Affairs Support Element, Spc. Jackson Gray details the ongoing Project Convergence Capstone 4, spearheaded by the U.S. Army Futures Command, which incorporates a sophisticated communications network to facilitate effective information exchange across various levels of experimentation.
