Anti-tank Weapons Research Articles

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COMBAT CAPABILITIES OF MODERN TANKS OF VARIOUS TYPES

Modern war is a test of the material and spiritual forces of the people, the state and its Armed Forces, which prompts each country to maintain its defense capability at a level that guarantees reliable protection of society. Analysis of the nature of armed conflict in recent decades shows a sharp increase in the impact of modern weapons and military equipment on the course and outcome of military operations. Currently, weapons and military equipment form the basis of the combat power of the armed forces of any state and are the determining factor in achieving success in war or armed conflict. Despite the rapid development of anti-tank weapons and the decrease in survivability on the battlefield, main battle tanks remain one of the decisive means of modern combined arms combat, which is characterized by dynamism, saturation and speed. They provide the combat stability of their own forces in defense and advance during the offensive, destroy enemy armored vehicles, fire points and living forces. A comparative analysis of the main characteristics of modern combat tanks, the advantages and disadvantages of various types of vehicles of foreign and domestic production, used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for the defense of the state and countering the aggression of Russia against Ukraine, in order to improve the effectiveness of their use in different conditions of combat. Western models of modern tanks and the Ukrainian tank "Oplot" in some significant combat characteristics prevail over the modern Russian tank T-90, in particular: in the power of the engine and its reliability of operation (engine overheating and failure); in the effectiveness of optoelectronic counteraction to optical enemy means; in the effectiveness of dynamic protection and countering modern weapons; in the perfection of the fire control system; in the sufficiency of the armor of the machine; in the effectiveness of actions in urban conditions. Keywords: war, battle tank, tactical and technical characteristics, effectiveness, comparative analysis

PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING THE METHODOLOGY OF FIRE AND STRIKE CAPABILITIES OF ARMY GROUPS DETERMINATION IN CASE OF FIGHTING WITH ENEMY ARMORED OBJECTS AND IT’S PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

The problem of determining the fire and strike capabilities of army groups in combating (fighting) the enemy's armored objects is formulated, which generally consists in lack of standardized approaches in the military management units and established form of the report. The need for program implementation of a single methodology in a complex of mathematical models and information-calculation tasks is emphasized. A detailed analysis of previous methods was carried out. The main shortcomings of most methods of the Soviet period consist of the lack of combat efficiency coefficients of modern anti-tank weapons and the impossibility of taking into account the presence of various types of enemy tanks and armored fighting vehicles on the battlefield. The main shortcomings of most of the methods developed in the Armed Forces of Ukraine are the replacement of combat effectiveness coefficients of anti-tank weapons with the coefficients of combat potential, separate, fundamentally different approaches to determining the capabilities of artillery anti-tank weapons and the capabilities of anti-tank weapons of tank and mechanized units, inflated, unreliable values of the capabilities of artillery anti-tank weapons etc. A general scheme of calculations for determining the fire and strike capabilities of army groups in fighting enemy armored objects is provided with a detailed description for each stage. The essence of the calculations is to estimate the armored group of the enemy through the number of conventional tanks, to evaluate the fire capabilities of anti-tank weapons to damage enemy armored targets in conventional tanks, to determine the composition of the enemy group, the blow of which can be repelled by the fire of anti-tank weapons in the defense or defeated in the offensive. Keywords: fire and strike capabilities, operational-tactical calculations, fighting enemy armored objects, operation of army groups (forces), fire damage, anti-tank weapon.

DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS OF MAIN TANKS T-64, T-72, T-80 OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE

The article presents the results regarding the set of indicators and criteria that have undergone further development; improved methodology and well-founded promising directions for the development of the main types of tanks in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, a priority series of the level of technical excellence of domestic and foreign tank models has been built.
 The proposed measures will make it possible to increase the combat capabilities of tank military units and units, reduce the number of modifications of the main tanks in the troops, which will simplify their operation, ensure the loading of the state defense order by enterprises of the domestic defense industry, build up the experience of international cooperation in the production of anti-tank weapons, which is extremely necessary for the further integration of Ukraine in the Euro-Atlantic security space, to rationally use the available limited resources in the interests of increasing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the conditions of war with an enemy that numerically outnumbers our country by most indicators.
 As a direction of further research, there may be additional consideration in the set of selected indicators of additional technical characteristics that affect the fire capabilities of tanks, as well as cost indicators.

АЛЬТЕРНАТИВНИЙ МЕТОД РОЗРАХУНКУ СНАРЯДОСТІЙКОСТІ БРОНЕВИХ КОНСТРУКЦІЙ БОЙОВИХ КОЛІСНИХ І ГУСЕНИЧНИХ МАШИН

The purpose of the development is to find alternative methods of strengthening the protection of BMP (APC) against modern anti-tank weapons in the attacking order of battle of a mixed mechanized (tank) battalion of the Armed Forces. The difference of the project underlies in the possibility of choosing the optimal ratio of protection and mobility in order to increase the combat effectiveness of the samples of the OVT of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Аn original concept design of heavy (assault) IFV-64 «Sluch» layout was developed during the work on the basis of existing IFV and tanks structures by selecting successful solutions, optimizing and reconfiguring them. This project eliminates passivity of the landing party, isolation of the crew. High security and mobility ensures the effective use of the main and landing weapons, especially in the front and side sectors, all-round surveillance of the battlefield, safe and quick exit from the vehicle in battle and landing in it, reloading ATGM launcher. The vehicle is a hybrid of the T-64A (T-64B1) tank body with reinforced frontal and side projection armor, an improved BMP-2 type armament complex in the turret with complex circular rotation armor. In terms of its security and mobility, it is superior to promising heavy infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers of NATO countries. The practical significance of the development underlies in the restoration of the lost active concept of modern BMPs, the possibility of improving and finding weak points in the armor protection of combat wheeled and tracked vehicles of the light category, a significant reduction in the development time of OVT, saving materials and finances Keywords: projectile resistance, armored construction, conditional damage, safe velocity of the projectile, coefficient of even durability of the material.

Evaluation of Anti-Tank Guided Missiles: An integrated Fuzzy Entropy and Fuzzy CoCoSo multi criteria methodology using technical and simulation data

The Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) selection problem, a sub-problem of the Weapon Systems Selection Problems (WSSP), is an extremely important strategical level decision problem and is the main focus of this study. The study aims to determine a new methodology that represents accurate and reliable results from simulation model. This model decides on the anti-tank weapon system for various combat scenarios with high uncertainty. Data obtained from hundreds of simulation scenarios, with different combat conditions such as friendly and enemy forces, terrain, and environmental conditions, and technical weapon specifications is used to define solutions for the ATGM problem, such a solution proposal was not seen in any of the previous studies. For this aim, we proposed a comprehensive methodology consisting of 4 phases and 15 steps, using simulation and technical data, Fuzzy Shannon’s Entropy (F-Entropy) based on α-level sets, and Fuzzy CoCoSo with Bonferroni (F-CoCoSo’B) methods for the selection of ATGMs to be used in the close quarter combat conditions. F-Entropy method is utilized for obtaining the criteria weights and F-CoCoSo’B is used for ranking the ATGM alternatives. 3 main and 22 sub-criteria have been determined by considering not only the technical data of the weapon systems but also data obtained from JCATS simulation tool. This combination of data sources results in criteria that reflects the combat environment more precisely, when compared to previous studies where only technical data or the experience of military experts were collected. The sensitivity analysis performed to test the validity and applicability of the proposed methodology approves the stability, robustness, and practicality of the methodology. The purpose of this paper is to present the proposed methodology, findings, and insights.

Primena metode modelovanja na izračunavanje verovatnoće pogotka nepokretnog cilja prilikom vatrenog dejstva tenkovskog odeljenja u odbrani

Introduction/purpose: The theory of direct firing of armored units deals with the calculation of the probability of hitting the target depending on the number of projectiles fired, in certain combat circumstances as well as under certain meteorological conditions. Successful performance of the combat task of armored units in defensive actions against stationary targets depends to the greatest extent on the effectiveness of fire of tank weapons. Under the tactical assumptions that define real combat conditions, i.e., that the attacking formation opens fire from small arms and anti-tank weapons, that the defense is organized in a timely manner on maneuvering ground and in optimal meteorological conditions, and that the tank squad opens fire while stationary, the scientific goal of the research is to determine the probability of hitting and destroying the target as closely as possible depending on the method of determining the distance to the target and the number of projectiles fired. Methods: Mainly applying the method of situation modeling in scientific research, the authors try to determine, as precisely as possible, the percentage of the probability of hitting (destroying) a stationary target, with the first, second, or third projectile. Results: The main scientific contribution of the research would be the determination of various quantitative indicators as significant parameters necessary for a successful design of defense operations of ground army units. Conclusion: By creating an appropriate model for a specific situation in order to solve a problem (combat task), it is possible to precisely determine the probability of hitting and the probability of destroying the target in relation to the number of projectiles fired, as well as the expected consumption of ammunition.

МЕТОДИКА ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ ЗАДАНОГО РІВНЯ БОЙОВОЇ ЖИВУЧОСТІ БРОНЬОВАНИХ КОЛІСНИХ МАШИН

The experience of military conflicts of the last decades has shown the constantly growing role of armored wheeled vehicles (AWVs). In recent years, a significant number of AWVs of various purposes have been developed and adopted by the security forces of Ukraine: armored personnel carriers; carriers of anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft weapons, mortars; machines of radio-electronic intelligence and radio-electronic warfare; medical evacuation vehicles, etc. AWVs that deliver personnel to the battlefield, provide their fire support, or are equipped with powerful weapons and other combat equipment are being the priority targets for the enemy. AWVs damages significantly reduce the probability (or completely makes it impossible) to perform a specific combat task, therefore there is an objective need to ensure a certain minimum level of survivability of an armored wheeled vehicle in order to preserve its combat capability and ensure the performance of the intended tasks. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to create a methodology for ensuring a given level of combat survivability of armored wheeled vehicles. A technique for ensuring a given level of combat survivability of AWVs has been developed. It allows to obtain combat survivability indicators that correspond to a given level of combat survivability by the consistent improvement of the vehicle operational characteristics. The methodology can be used to form the requirements for the technical characteristics of armored wheeled vehicles at the stage of their development and modernization, as well as to assess the compliance of the existing AWVs with the requirements for combat survivability. The direction of further research is to study the impact of other armored wheeled vehicles properties on combat survivability.

INFLUENCE OF MIDDLE EAST ARMED CONFLICTS INTO BATTLEFIELD CHANGES

Wars conducted in the Middle East after the WWII significantly affected the course of military strategy, and combat tactics, and military technology. Presented paper describes circumstances of local wars and military conflicts in the Middle East and their influence on development of warfare art and technology. The wars with Israel which were lost by the Arabic countries in 20th century affected development of military strategy and tactics of using the armoured weapons and air forces. They contributed significantly to development of the intelligence, and antiaircraft combat assets, and antitank weapons. In consecutive wars the Arabic countries were not able to coordinate military operations, what gave possibility for the Israel army to successively defeat armies of particular countries. Military conflicts between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah, and suffered losses, caused the development of new revolutionary combat assets such as combat vehicles active self-defence systems (Trophy), or antimissile/antiaircraft systems (Irone Dome). Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), drones, and precise weapons were widely used. Reconnaissance and military intelligence affected significantly the results of military operations. Palestinian and Lebanese organisations counterweighed the advantages of Israelian army by systems of fortifications, tunnels, and hidden fire positions. Israelian army implemented combat vehicles in urban area fights. They proved to be efficient what denied opinions about uselessness of armoured weapons at urban fights, or even the tanks in the 21st century. The war in Syria indicated the efficient use of combined combat tactics, conventional military operations, and guerrilla and terrorist methods and actions.The high morale represented by Hezbollah and ISIS fighters proved to be an essential component of military operations. Risking own life at fighting the enemies made great impression on them, and disorganised the defence, and provided dazzling successes in the battlefield. Aviation played important role in all operations fighting the forces of Arabic countries, Hamas, Hezbollah, or Islamic State (IS).

Развитие средств борьбы с бронетехникой на переднем крае обороны. Первая половина 1930-х гг. По материалам советской военной печати

In the article on the materials of the military press of the first half of the 1930s. the author analyzes the change in views on the fight against armored vehicles in the specified period. The author considers the main addition and alternatives to anti-tank guns, which were popular with military theorists considering the issues of countering armored vehicles at a distance of up to a kilometer. In the course of his work, the author considers proposals on the tactical and technical aspects of using various types of grenades against armored vehicles, mines, bi-calibre artillery system, heavy machine guns, automatic guns received from both foreign and domestic experts. As a result of the study, the author comes to the conclusion that in the USSR in the first half of the 1930s. the military leadership quickly came to the conclusion that anti-tank guns were needed to fight tanks, and grenades and mines could play a very limited role in the fight against armored vehicles. While outside the USSR, heavy machine guns, automatic guns, field artillery guns continued to be considered as anti-tank weapons. Thus, we can say that in the USSR the conceptual awareness of the vector of counteraction to armored vehicles occurred earlier than in Germany, France, the British Empire, the United States of America and Poland.

The Development of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Its Response to the Russian Conventional Threats in 2015‒2020

In a period of 2015-2020, Lithuanian Armed Forces (LAF) military spending increased twice, thus it enabled to initiate and to arrange significant critical projects that eventually allowed armed forces to upgrade military equipment and tactics. New artillery units, armoured personnel vehicles, air defence systems, anti-tank weapons, radars, anti-drone systems boosted military power of LAF. Tactics switched from anti green men to conventional tactics, where fire and manoeuvre dominates again. Meanwhile, in the same period of time in Kaliningrad the Russian armed forces boosted the number of military personnel, upgraded equipment (most of it to offensive one) and increased military exercises. In order to be prepared, LAF must look for the most efficient ways of defence towards a potential foe. In a near future LAF must decentralize a central military storage thus critical assets could be secured and used by battalions at any time. Moreover, LAF capabilities could be improved by cyber conscripts and non-conventional tactics which could bring extra dividends when a small state fights against technologically advanced adversary. Eventually, with an additional military spending LAF could obtain MLRS artillery, the coastal defence systems and unmanned combat aerial vehicles that could deal with enemy from a safer distance.

Методика визначення оптимальної кількості та виду озброєння мобільних тактичних груп для забезпечення дій по стримуванню противника

В статті представлено методику визначення оптимальної кількості та виду озброєння мобільної тактичної групи для забезпечення дій по стримуванню противника на широкому фронті. Дана методика ґрунтується на вирішенні задачі лінійного програмування загального виду. Представлена методика враховує: вогневі можливості підрозділу, з якого призначається мобільна тактична група, та величину заподіяної шкоди противнику, при знищені його озброєння та військової техніки. Оцінювання оборонних можливостей своїх військ по відношенню до сил противника, здійснювалось на основі порівняння вогневих потенціалів відповідно. Запропонована в статті методика може бути використаний для забезпечення формування складу мобільної тактичної групи в умовах плануванні сучасного бою.

Deadly injuries through recoilless anti-tank weapons while military shooting practice\u2014two case studies from Germany and Switzerland

In this casuistry, two accidents from Germany and Switzerland are presented that happened during the shot of recoilless anti-tank weapons. In both cases, the injuries led to the death of two soldiers: A 22-year-old soldier in Germany was struck by the counter mass of a so-called Davis gun which had been fired by a comrade during a firing exercise; he died from his severe injuries, especially in the abdominal part of the body. As a peculiarity of the wound morphology, it was found to be a thick-layered, metallic, gray material in the wound cavity, which corresponded to the material of the counter mass that was ejected opposite to the shooting direction. The other case took place in Switzerland, where a 24-year-old soldier was seriously injured during an exercise with portable anti-tank rockets. At the time the shot was fired, he stood behind the launcher and was hit by the propulsion jet of the rocket motor. He died as well from his severe injuries, which were located at the chest done by the gas jet and by the very high pressure. In both cases, two different causes of death were present: massive blunt violence in the first case versus a jet of hot gases of very high speed and temperature in the second case.

The 84 mm recoilless support weapon systemin the armament arsenal of the Hungarian Defence Forces

Today’s modern infantry forces are often deployed in urban or complex combat environments as part of anti-insurgency or peacekeeping operations as well as traditional force-on-force conflict scenarios. In these situations tactical flexibility is a key element for success. As part of the Zrinyi 2026 National Defence and Armed Forces Development Programme, the Carl-Gustaf M4 shoulder-launched, recoilless multi-role anti-tank weapon system is introduced into the army in support of the antitank capabilities of the Hungarian Defence Forces.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE CALCULATION ORDER OF EFFICIENCY INDICATORS OF ARMORED FIGHTING VEHICLES DAMAGING BY THE DIRECT FIRE OF PROSPECTIVE ANTI-TANK MEANS

Modern means of fire influence in the traditional performance in recent years have not undergone any structural changes. However, certain areas of development of scientific and technical activities of mankind have made it possible to rethink approaches to the lethality of weapons. However, the so-called high-precision munitions, which have taken a fairly clear position in the weapons market have both a number of significant advantages in use, and no less than a list of disadvantages, one of which is the cost of production. However, the world's fleet of armored combat vehicles is growing steadily, while the list of anti-tank weapons is limited to anti-tank missile systems and, in some cases, single samples of anti-tank guns. The calculation of efficiency indicators today is traditionally based on the defeat of an armored vehicle by direct hit of a fragmentation and high-explosive projectile, rather than its so-called «useful fragments». The experience of recent local wars and conflicts requires increasing demands for new samples, characterized by the compilation of a means of destruction, a means of delivering fragile mass to a target, as well as the means of reconnaissance and the control devices of these components of fire influence on enemy armor. This problem can be solved by means of prospective anti-tank automatic cannons in combination with fragmentation and reconnaissance missiles and reconnaissance devices, including airborne (UAV, «flying platforms» type balloon). In addition to analyzing the directions of improving the means of defeat of combat armored vehicles, the mathematical apparatus by which it is possible to determine the expected consumption of shells on the target, which provides the effectiveness of firing, the ways of calculating the effectiveness indicators of damage to combat armored personnel by direct fire of prospective anti-tank means without shooting in return.

The development of Finnish anti-tank weapons, 1918-1939

This article deals with the Finnish army's failure to acquire anti-tank weapons in the interwar period. Even though Finland was an early adopter of armor, anti-tank weapons became neglected when a clique of German-trained officers took control of the Finnish army in 1924. Disregarding practical evidence, they believed that Finnish terrain was impassable to armor, and therefore anti-tank defenses were unnecessary. Their beliefs were rooted in a nationalist conception of Finnist terrain as totally different from Central Europe, and were only challenged in the 1930's when formally trained officers started rising through the ranks. Once they questioned the prevailing orthodoxy and practical experiments were performed, it became clear that Finnish terrain was not so unique after all.
 Even after the need for anti-tank weapons was understood, the chaotic state of the Finnish armed forces delayed procurement. There was no formal procurement process, and weapon system evaluations were carried out by small, over-worked committees. When the decision was made to procure 37mm anti-tank guns from Bofors, national industrial policy intervened, and instead of buying guns from Sweden, complex schemes to create joint Finnish-Swedish armament production were developed. When these came to naught, it was decided to create a state-owned munitions plant, effectively from scratch. After a 1935 decision to procure the guns, the first pieces were delivered in October 1939; barely over a month before the Soviet invasion.

Tanky 3. a 4. generace a jejich místo v moderních konfliktech

Tanks and anti-tank weapons in modernized and innovated forms will still appear on battlefields in the next 20 years to eliminate armoured targets and personnel with the usage of precision-guided munition. The progress of electronation and digitalization of tanks allows better situation awareness on the battlefield and cooperation with other military assets. An active protection measures were introduced to protect the crew such as reactive armour, active defence weapon systems and composite armour. By establishing a safe perimeter with active defence systems, tanks can sustain the incoming anti-tank weapons. Hence is the U.S. Army currently looking for a replacement of 3rd generation Abrams tanks. The U.S. Army is considering in this case unmanned vehicle as well. The Russian Federation on the other hand enhances conventional tank scheme with modern technologies. Far too much electronation does not have to be necessarily due to the automatic loading mechanism always a step forward.

Split warhead simultaneous impact

A projectile system is proposed to improve efficiency and effectiveness of damage done by anti-tank weapon system on its target by designing a ballistic projectile that can split into multiple warheads and engage a target at the same time. This idea has been developed in interest of saving time consumed from the process of reloading and additional number of rounds wasted on target during an attack. The proposed system is achieved in three steps: Firstly, a mathematical model is prepared using the basic equations of motion. Second, An Ejection Mechanism of proposed warhead is explained with the help of schematics. Third, a part of numerical simulation which is done using the MATLAB software. The final result shows various ranges and times when split can be effectively achieved. With the new system, impact points are increased and hence it has a better probability of hitting a target.

Guidance Philosophy for Impact Angle Maximization for Anti-Tank Flight Vehicle

Abstract In general, anti tank weapons are designed to attack the tank on the top of the tank, where the armour is relatively weak compared to the front and sides of the tank. In this paper, a generalized guidance philosophy for top attack mode is described. This paper presents a novel guidance philosophy which enhances the impact angle for top attack mode by using seeker measurements. This proposed method also reduces the weight and cost of the weapon system by eliminating the need for Laser Range Finder, which is primarily used for target range measurement. Sensitivity analysis of the algorithm is carried out with different parameter perturbations. Lastly, the performance of the algorithm is evaluated through nonlinear Six Degrees of Freedom simulation in time domain.

Measurement of high level impulse noise for the use with different damage risk criteria

On the battlefield, but also during training, a soldier is continuously exposed to various types of noise (impulse and continuous). This exposure is not only noise generated by his own weapon but also by weapons or vehicles of close by troops. The exposure levels are between 160 dB peak for small arms and 190 dB peak at the soldier's ear for some anti tank weapons, with A-durations from 0.3 ms (small caliber) to 4 ms for large caliber weapons (e.g., Howitzers). In order to protect the soldier to noise exposures which may induce hearing loss, damage risk criteria (DRC) are implemented, and proposed for the prediction of the potential risk due to a certain noise exposure. Depending on the type of criteria (Pressure-Time-History or A-weighted Energy based), the recording and evaluation of different physical signal parameters has to be done in accordance to the used DRC. The paper will present the problems which may arise when recording impulse (weapon) noise with very high peak pressure levels and discuss measurement techniques compatible with the used DRCs. The paper will also discuss problems which may arise during the use and development of portable noise dose meters for the use in the military environment.

Eagle's-eye View: An American Assessment of the 1973 Yom Kippur War

The United States displayed a keen interest in the nature, progress and results of the Yom Kippur War, because the fighting was thought to reflect how non-nuclear hostilities between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact (WP) would unfold on the plains of central Europe in case war broke out there. In contrast to many observers of the war, who concluded that the losses suffered by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) at the hands of Egyptian and Syrian anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapons had rendered the aircraft and the tank largely impotent, thereby revolutionizing how wars would be waged in the future, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) analysts and United States Army Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) Command officers, based upon an in-depth review of the nature, progress and results of the fighting, re-affirmed the centrality of these weapons systems on the modern battlefield. Rather than focus obsessively on technological developments, they concluded that training, leadership and tactics were ultimately the decisive elements in the Yom Kippur War.