NB: Maj Ndegwa, kindly give the full meaning of ATGMs
Maj E T N Ndegwa
FUTURE TRENDS IN ARMOUR LETHALITY
In recent times, urban warfare has deflated the reputation of Main Battle Tanks (MBT), with heavy losses in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine, thus provoking some pertinent thoughts about the applicability of armoured vehicles in urban warfare and in all other theaters at large. Consequently, most countries are looking to increase the effectiveness of heavy armour in urban combat while still maintaining the ability to engage peer targets at a distance. This in effect, calls for a radical improvement in lethality.
The current trends indicate that there is a growing trend towards outfitting armoured vehicles with ATGMs. While ATGMs can substantially increase the tank’s lethal distance, the increased flight time will be a downside, thereby negating the need to maintain kinetic energy. This notwithstanding, traditional tank cannons still remain a key requirement into the foreseeable future, and countries are still acquiring large caliber, high-velocity guns.
MBT gun technology has remained largely unchanged, with most contemporary tanks featuring a smoothbore gun and kinetic rounds. The only variable has been the ammunition type and loading method, with auto loading being the preferred way forward. In addition, remote-controlled turrets have been favoured as they enable the crew to focus on monitoring sensors and to assess the tactical situation.
Another controversial issue has been taking the human element out of the equation by automating target detection and engagement, thus increasing performance and, by extension improving combat abilities. However, this is still a long way off due to International Law implications and the ability to produce this kind of technology on a large scale.
Sensor Technology is also becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to increase situational awareness. When each vehicle is outfitted with an array of sensors, a network is formed, equipping each unit with better situational awareness. Modern sensor technology is aligned with cameras and video surveillance for the vehicle, such as 360° field of visions for cameras around the vehicle, as a way to alert crews of any threat from all directions.
In addition to sensors, improvements to lethality include new forms of ammunition such as case telescoped ammunition, and remote-controlled turret technology, which is becoming a prominent feature of today’s vehicles.
Thermobaric warheads and electromagnetic ammunition is also another improvement to armour lethality in recent times. This kind of weapon utilizes shockwaves to neutralize the inhabitants of an armoured vehicle, as opposed to the traditional kinetic or explosive force meant to disable the vehicle itself. In addition, there are electromagnetic pulse weapons to consider, which destroy all of the electronics aboard a vehicle. Many countries are looking towards this this technology by 2030.
Russia is at the forefront in armour lethality development. It is focusing on a tank called the T-14 Armata, which features an unmanned turret with a 125mm cannon. The crew is placed in a central compartment in the front of the vehicle, thereby making it smaller and lighter. This means that it presents a smaller target than contemporary tanks, thereby enhancing survivability. This is complemented by its increased mobility and easy deployability.
In conclusion, technology is becoming increasingly available to shift the MBT design using advanced materials, novel automotive systems, new weapon systems and active protection systems, resulting in much lighter, more agile platforms. There will however always cause a dilemma when trying to strike a between cost and lethality, which comes with increased complexity as the solutions to the problem must be able to increase the reliability of the MBT in all environments and still maintain resilience to all types of threats.
One thing for sure is that the future tank will be a different beast indeed with unprecedented lethality.
T-14 Armata. Source: Shutterstock