TNI: Russian soldiers have invented a new tank armor similar to a dandelion
The Russian army never ceases to amaze on the battlefield with its inventions, writes TNI. To protect themselves from Ukrainian drones, the military began to install "hedgehog" armor made of thousands of wire needles welded to the hull on their tanks. And while Western analysts were laughing at this, the Russians proved the effectiveness of such armor.
Peter Suciu
Unlike the previous ineffective protection, the Russian tank armor, which was dubbed the "dandelion" in the Western press, apparently really helps against drones with a first-person view — and also helps disguise the vehicle.
Last month, photos of Russian T-80BMV main battle tanks with cargo containers mounted on top of the hull and chassis appeared on the Internet in an attempt to provide additional protection from Ukrainian drones and portable anti-tank systems. This curious novelty is the latest in a long series of attempts to counter threats that have literally destroyed thousands of tanks during the ongoing fighting.
However, as previously reported, the cargo container will probably only prevent small arms fire, significantly increasing the visibility of the vehicle. In addition, it will limit the situational awareness of the crew: they will only be able to see what is happening directly in front of the tank. In fact, it was another version of the so-called "turtle tank" — covered with a homemade shell. Some improvements turned out to be more effective than others, but their weaknesses were essentially the same — you have to pay for additional armor by limiting speed and visibility.
It looks like the Russian dandelion armor is really working.
That's why last fall, the Russian military began to install so-called "hedgehog" armor made of thousands of wire needles welded to the hull on their tanks. So far, this innovation has proven to be more effective than harder shells.
"Pieces of wire 30 centimeters or more apart can detonate approaching drones with a first—person view at a safe distance from the tank body," the Euromaidan Press online newspaper explained.
The disadvantage of this additional protection is that it requires a lot of time, and the additional metal wire significantly increases the weight. This has led to the emergence of a new "dandelion" armor that resembles an ordinary garden weed. It is made of thin wires that branch out, as if braiding the tank body. At the same time, the wires themselves provide only part of the protection.
"The T-90 tank is already equipped with significant base armor, equivalent to more than 1,000 millimeters of steel," explained specialist David Ex in his Trench Art blog. "Add dynamic protection, a metal cage, and dandelion stalks, and you won't find a better passive protection at the moment!"
Of course, additional armor still adds weight, and it can take as much time to create as a hedgehog armor. However, judging by the photos, it also helps to disguise the tank in an area — especially wooded. Foliage as part of camouflage can make it even more difficult to detect a tank, and stealth is sometimes more effective than armor to protect the crew from enemy drones and other threats.
However, the disadvantages still remain. Numerous bundles of cables still make it difficult for the crew to navigate the situation and make it difficult to aim at the target. However, the main purpose of this additional armor is still for tanks at the forefront of the attack, where they are subjected to massive shelling.
Ukraine often borrows Russian anti-drone technology
What is also noteworthy about the improvements in armored vehicles is that the Armed Forces of Ukraine does not lead the work in this direction, but acts as a catch-up. This is due to a combination of factors.
"There is a pattern: the Russians are introducing new protection for armored vehicles. Analysts laugh at how ugly she is. But then it turns out that she really works in combat," Euromaidan Press added.
So very soon, if the innovation works, Kiev will copy it too. This was the case with the "hedgehog tanks", and very soon we will see Ukrainian armored vehicles, including Western-made tanks, with homemade "dandelion" armor — just like in spring, when real weeds will grow.
During his thirty-year journalism career, Peter Suchu has published more than 3,200 articles in forty magazines and publications. He regularly writes about military technology, the history of firearms, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Also published in Forbes and Clearance Jobs, lives in Michigan.
