As shown by a short monitoring Russian military news and analytical portal, recently published information about the equipment of the prototype main battle tank T-72B3 arr. 2016 Year upgraded active protection system T09-06 "Arena-M" became the subject of countless positive comments, left by the specialists, and commentators, knowledgeable about the methods of increasing the vulnerability of modern armored vehicles.
And it is not surprising, because imprinted on the infamous photos of field testing the T-72B3 modules "Arena-M" on the board broneliste tower may indicate only one thing: JSC "Ural Transport Engineering Design Bureau" has finally been finalized developmental work "Improvement-A", providing the opportunity to high-volume modernization drill T-72B3 with the latest KAZ under the state defense order.
active protection complex "Arena-M" is the most effective cure only ATRA opposing 1st and 2nd generation
undoubtedly, on continued active use in various theaters of operations anti-missile systems of 1st and 2nd generation, possessing wire and semi-automatic laser control systems, as well as multi-purpose tactical missiles "air-surface" with the flatness of the terminal portions of the flight paths, modernization of the above, "the seventy-second" is indeed a turning point in enhancing the combat stability of tank brigades Russian Ground Forces. Given the fact, that radar guidance sensors "Arena-M", framing the top of the tower broneliste, have the elevation sector scan of -6 to +20 degrees and the maximum speed followed WTO elements (PTURS, controlled rockets and cumulative shells) order 1200 m / s, it is easy to conclude that, KAZ equipped with data that T-72B3 tanks are completely safe from all modifications antitank guided missiles complexes TOW-2A / B / C / D / F, HOT, «Milan-2T / 3 / ER» etc.
Meanwhile, the maximum angle of elevation scanning beam radar sensor complex "Arena-M" + 20 ° can not guarantee the tank crew confident protection against American ATGMs FGM-148 «Javelin», Israeli «Spike-ER II / NLOS», French MMP, and multipurpose tactical missiles "air-surface» AGM-65G «Maverick» and JAGM. All of the above means of air attack can boast one- / dual-band infrared homing, Interference multiband GOS (active radar, Infrared and semi-active laser sensor), as well as advanced inertial navigation systems, providing the implementation of a wide range of flight regimes, including dive angles of 35 ° and more. Unfortunately, data angles reaching is located outside the elevation detectors viewing zone "Arena-M".
At least a high degree of risk to the T-72B3, equipped with active protection "Arena-M", continue to represent numerous types of homing submunitions SPBE, It is the "equipment" cluster warheads of tactical MGM-164B ballistic missiles (ATACMS Block IIA), 227-mm unguided and guided missiles M26A2 and M31A1 GMLRS MRLS MLRS and HIMARS, and 155 mm cassette unguided projectiles, Ammunition belonging to ACS and towed howitzers NATO. In this case we are talking about such homing submunitions, how SADARAM, P31 BAT («Brilliant Anti-Tank») и "Bonus", developed by experts «Aerojet» Companies, «Alliant Techsystems», «Raytheon», «Northrop» и «Bofors Defence».
After the arrival of shells carrier (moving for grazing, or quasi-ballistic ballistic trajectory) in the field of combat area, breaking shells of cassette shells and warhead further dispersing submunitions in the space on the descending branch path, Most types of vertical descent continues with a permanent search for ground targets with infrared, radar and active acoustic sensors. At this angle of descent relative to the target may be from 80 to 90 degrees, not leaving a single chance "Arena-M".
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Consequently, survival tank units will continue to depend entirely on the efficiency of the military air defense systems. At first, propelled SAM short range "Tor-M1V", "Tor-M2U", able to withstand the multi-purpose tactical missiles and a miniature maneuvering elements of precision weapons, Secondly, promising military SAM "Buk-M3", "Sharpened" under controlled interception GMLRS missiles and tactical ballistic missiles ATACMS family at a distance of 25-35 km, Long before they enter the borders of "unpacking" of deadly cluster "equipment". Save the situation could also be the implementation of the program of modernization of radar architecture, "Arena-M", providing integration of additional upper hemisphere review sensors.
Eugene Damantsev
