Russian Tank Turret - Pop-Up-Targets

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Bekeart

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There's a Problem with the Design of Russia's Tanks

It relates to the way ammunition is stored; to facilitate the automatic loading, there are multiple shells in the turret.

"Even an indirect hit can start a chain reaction that explodes their entire ammunition store of up to 40 shells," CNN explains. The blast can pack enough force to send the tank's turret up to two stories into the air,

There's a Problem With the Design of Russia's Tanks

Unverified Ukranian message to Russian Commander:
Send more tanks. We need target practice.
 
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Everybody seems to have suddenly discovered this story ;)

The lower profile and shallower hull and turret surface angles make the Soviet designed-tanks harder to hit, and may have originally not actually been a design flaw. BUT that only applies in a conventional tank-to-tank battle where the hostile fire comes in laterally.

With the anti-tank warfare as the Ukrainians have been conducting it, leaning heavily not on direct-aimed guns, but guided or self-guided anti-tank missiles, the tank's profile no longer matters. What's worse, the Javelin actually goes in directly from the top, often into the turret. Game over.
 
Found this illustration that shows the issue in comparison to the German Leopard 2 and US M-1 Abrams:


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Yep, this has been a problem with Soviet tank designs for generations. Basically, ever since they went to the auto loader system on their tanks and even earlier too. When their ammo goes up, it takes out everything, including the crew and blows the turret off the hull. Silver bullets out of the big 120 mm guns on western tanks will cook em off just as well as the ATMs too.
 
Yes, Russian tanks (the T55, T62, T72 and the newer T80s) all seem to have the same "fault" in their internal ammo storage. Saw a lot of the results during DS/DS. Our own early M4 Sherman Tanks (WWII) would "cook off" when penetrated by AT rounds. The British referred to the Sherman as the Rosion after the lighter of that time. They got around the problem by using a "Wet" storage system, which surrounded the internal ammo storage with a non-flammable liquid (water) and additional external armor plating. Sometimes you will see a Sherman referred to as "M4A3(W)" which means it was modified to the wet storage configuration.
 
Here's an M1 Abrams getting hit in Iraq.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taOZIXzbVuI[/ame]
 
The evolution of human combat.

Rocks and sticks lost out to swords, bows and arrows. Swords, bows and arrows were displaced by muskets and grenadiers. Horse-mounted cavalry wreaked havoc on dismounted troops. Cannons were overcome by rockets and missiles. Aircraft extended the eyes, ears, and striking abilities of naval and ground forces. Muzzle-loading rifles became obsolete as cartridge-loaded repeating rifles became common. Large numbers of humans with repeating rifles found themselves facing machineguns, mines, and long-range artillery. Early airplanes were useful for surveillance and communications, then someone found ways to mount effective weapons and aerial warfare joined the human conflict plan. Surveillance aircraft operating far above the range of defensive systems led to more advanced defensive systems. Gravity bombs were replaced by TV and laser-guided smart bombs. Horse-mounted cavalry evolved to armored vehicles (tanks and personnel carriers) capable of punching through and defeating larger forces and fixed positions. Bazookas and RPGs became standard equipment for dismounted ground forces, then intelligent missiles and rockets took away much of the advantage of armored cavalry forces. Satellites and GPS technologies have rendered stealth and concealment nearly useless exercises. Stealth technology became the norm for air, ground, and naval forces. Intercontinental ballistic missiles now compete with hypersonic defensive and offensive systems.

Stay tuned! The next generation of human conflict might be conducted from air-conditioned offices staffed by 15-year old computer geeks with AI-controlled forces of ground and aerial drones. Actually, no need to stay tuned because we are there already. Billion-dollar aircraft and ships are being targeted by remotely-controlled and pre-programmed AI weapons capable of differentiating and selecting targets far over the horizon in any weather conditions.

The weapons and tactics have evolved. The humans remain as the limiting factor. Will we be capable of limiting ourselves?
 
"……….Stay tuned! The next generation of human conflict might be conducted from air-conditioned offices staffed by 15-year old computer geeks with AI-controlled forces of ground and aerial drones………."

Had a friend, a Marine H-53 Helo driver, who's next assignment after a tour at MCAS CH PT, was Nellis AFB. He was flying drones over Iraq from Nellis. Told me it was the best job he ever has. Worked 9 to 5 in an AC office, had his weekends basically free so he had lots of time to spend with the family. Got shot down twice, didn't hurt a bit……
 
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
-Albert Einstein

I suggest that we start stockpiling sticks and stones. Future ammo shortages, you know...
 
Jeff Cooper

Man has always struggled against his environment. His environment has always include other men.


Read some of Mr. Coopers writings, very streetwise man.
 
Yep, nothing new regarding Soviet tanks. Mid 72 we started arming Cobra gunship with TOWs just as the " Spring Offensive" was underway by NVA/VC. Forget location other than in II Corp, a group of 3 Cobras came on a column of T-54s. 4 or 5 were lit up, one drove inside a large building with windows. A gunner/ weapons officer sent a TOW through the window hitting the T-54. Ammo went off removing turret and roof of building. Saw pics of turret upside down 20' away. About a year later was in Womack Army hospital at Ft Bragg waiting room. Low and Behold there was an Army Times with more pics and nice article. Wish I had kept it.
 
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