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Oplot Main Battle Tank - Protection characteristics
Oplot Main Battle Tank (Oplot MBT) |
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The Oplot is fitted with an integrated
vehicle protection system, which includes passive armour, explosive reactive
armour array as well as a number of other tank protection devices that are
optimised against modern anti-tank weapons and make the tank considerably less
vulnerable to the full range of anti-tank weapons.
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The
armour protection of the Olot, which includes advanced multi-layer armour and
built-in third generation explosive reactive armour package for the turret and
chassis, provides to the Oplot a high level of battlefield survivability. The
main armour is a laminated ‘sandwich’ of armoured plate and ceramics which
gives the tank superior ballistic
protection against most forms of attack greatly reducing penetration and behind
armour effect. The
hull and turret of the Oplot over the forward arc are fitted with the latest
generation Nozh explosive reactive armour package
which gives protection against both chemical energy and kinetic energy attack (APFSDS
and HEAT-type projectiles). In addition to
being fitted to the hull and turret, explosive reactive armour panels are also
fitted either side of the hull front to provide lateral protection to each side
of the driver’s compartment. The
explosive reactive armour is so efficient against the chemical energy attack
that sometimes the tank can be hit by an enemy HEAT projectile without the crew
being aware of the damage until much later. The explosive reactive armour system
is of a modular design so that it can be easily replaced or upgraded allowing
new explosive reactive armour developments to be incorporated in the future when
this becomes available. The main armour and the explosive reactive armour together
ensure
superior protection against sophisticated modern anti-armour weapons.
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Explosive reactive armour array on the turret front
Explosive reactive armour array on the glasis plate |
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As top attack weapons pose now a series and deadly threat to battle tanks, the turret roof between the commander’s and gunner’s hatches is
provided with additional protection against top attack weapons.
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The tank hull sides are covered with large rubber skirts to give additional
protection against man-portable anti-tank weapons
of enemy infantry.
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The
tank overall survivability of the Oplot is further enhanced by an optronic countermeasures system which is designated Varta
(which means Guards).
The Varta system consists of three key subsystems: the laser threat warner (to
give warning of impending attack by laser-guided weapons), the infra-red jammers
and the smoke/aerosol screen laying system.
Components of the Varta system and their location on the tank
(from top left clockwise: coarse laser threat warning sensor, infra-red jammer,
presicion laser warning sensors, a bank of grenade launchers) |
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The laser
threat warner includes a control panel, a control unit and four laser threat
warning sensors (two precision sensors installed on the forward part of the
turret roof and two coarse sensors mounted on the top of the turret in its rear
part) activated
by laser range-finders, laser designators or precision-guided munitions fitted
with a laser guidance device. The warner enables the tank react
to threats in a timely manner.
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Precision laser warning sensor
Coarse laser warning sensor |
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The
infra-red jammers introduce
a spurious signal into the guidance circuitry of the incoming missile through
continuously generated coded pulsed infra-red jamming signals. This makes it possible
to
decoy away incoming anti-tank guided weapons.
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Infra-red jammer
Infra-red jammer modulator |
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The smoke screen laying system can operate either as a part of the above-mentioned Varta
optronic countermeasures system or as a self contained unit. The smoke screen
laying system includes 12 smoke grenade launchers and a control panel with
grenade firing buttons. The grenade launchers are electrically operated and are
grouped into two banks mounted on either side of the turret, each bank being
provided with a cowl. The grenades can be launched either automatically (in case
of receiving a signal from the laser warning system about a potential threat) or
manually (from the commander's or gunner's station).
Taking
into account the ability of thermal imagers to operate through conventional
smoke screens and some other obstacles to vision, aerosol grenades can be used
instead of smoke ones to lay an aerosol screen that the thermal imagers cannot
see through.
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Smoke grenade launchers
Smoke screen laying system control panel |
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The Oplot can lay its own smoke screen by injecting diesel fuel in the engine exhaust
(i.e. by using so-called smoke emitter).
As an attack by laser weapons becomes a
growing danger on the modern battlefield, the Oplot vision devices are designed
so that the operator’s eye is protected from direct attack by laser damage weapons.
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The
overpressure-type NBC protection system protects the crew and inner equipment of
the tank against the nuclear weapon effects, radioactive dust, toxic agents and
bacteriological materials.
The
radiation shielding is designed in the form of a liner fixed on both internal
and external surfaces of the tank to give protection against radiation from
nuclear explosions. Spall liners are also fitted greatly reducing behind armour
effect.
To
the right and to the left of the driver’s seat are pillars which strengthen
the hull in the event of the vehicle running over a mine.
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NBC system diagram
Filter-ventilation unit
B-1 measurement panel
B-2 sensor |
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In the overall vehicle design, the designers have laid great emphasis on the urgent
need to reduce the signatures (thermal, radar, acoustic etc) of the tank. In
particular, the Oplot MBT power pack compartment features thermal signature reduction technology, as its top deck is fitted with special heat
insulation devices, this resulting in a low thermal signature of the tank.
To defeat detection by battlefield radar, anti-radar coating is provided and the
tank turret is fitted with a collar of rubber skirts which hang from the turret
front and reduce the radar signature of the Oplot.
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Thermal insulation of the power pack compartment top deck |
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Very
considerable precautions are taken to protect the crew from the effects of
internal fires: the
rapid action fire detection and suppression system
enables internal fires to be detected and suppressed in both crew compartment
and power pack compartment.
All the above protection measures together make the Oplot one of the best protected tanks in the world.
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Fire suppression system bottle
Fire suppression system control panel |
