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> an active protection system specifically for top attack munitions like Javelin Worth noting: The western-made MANPADs are designed to exploit a serious desig
by spacemanmatt 4y ago
> an active protection system specifically for top attack munitions like Javelin
Worth noting: The western-made MANPADs are designed to exploit a serious design flaw in Soviet-era tanks. The ammunition is stored in the turret where it is easy to ignite externally. That's why we have so much youtube of Russian tanks blowing their turret sky-high.
Long story short, design failure can't be remedied by anything they can put on the top of the tank unless it's another tank.
- jasonwatkinspdx 4y agoYeah, that's an issue too, though frankly speaking, partitioned ammo rack and blow out panels be danged, I don't think I'd want to be inside an Abrams that got hit by a Javelin or equivalent.
- spacemanmatt 4y agoOf course not. But getting out and walking away surely beats an explosion than blows the turret off. No one survives that.
- SubjectToChange 4y agoMANPADS are anti-air weapons. Also, what western tank doesn't store most of its ammunition in the turret?
- jasonwatkinspdx 4y agoOn an Abrams the ready to use rounds are stored in a partitioned sort of "duck tail" hanging off the back of the turret, with an armored door separating it from the crew compartment, and blast off panels on top. The specific issue the other comment is referring to is unique to Soviet designed tanks that combined an autoloader with an ammo rack carrousel that's below the crew in the turret. This proved to be a big design flaw, but is not one universal across non Soviet tanks.
- na85 4y agoI know it's cool to throw acronyms around but MANPADS stands for MAN-Portable Air Defence Systems. They're for shooting down aircraft. The Javelin and NLAW are not examples of MANPADS.
- spacemanmatt 4y agoMy mistake. Usually I know the (recently popularized due to use in Ukraine) modern infantry tools a shade better. I have been a sleep-deprived traveler this week!