SH_MM

There is a document on DTIC from 1987, where the probability of fuel fires after armor penetration was being investigated on the M2 Bradley, M113 and M1A1 Abrams tank (with diesel fuel, JP-08 was introduced in the Army later). The document is a technical report from the Ballistic Research Laboratory written by Antony E. Finnerty.
 
It is noted that the automatic fire suppression system (AFSS) of the M1A1 is not capable of supressing engine fires.
 
Depending on hit location and how much fuel is left inside the fuel tanks, the probability of incinerating the diesel stored in the Abrams with the first hit by a shaped charge is between 10% and 50%; the probabiltiy of a fire in the frontal fuel tanks was only 15% at 8°C ambient temperature and 25% at 24°C ambient temperature. These values are based on Soviet 125 mm HEAT rounds and might not be valid for more modern, larger calibre, HEAT warheads with tandem charges.
 
The probability of a fuel fire after penetration by a 125 mm APFSDS projectile is between 50% and 60% (at 8°C and 24°C ambient temperature respectively). Again this represents Soviet technology from the 1980s and might not be valid for modern APFSDS rounds.
 

The efficiency is determined by using a sample shaped charge against steel armor as reference (reference penetration is Pref), then using the same type of sample charge against the fuel tank (to determine the penetration into fuel Pfuel). The efficiency then is calculated using these factors.
 
If the fuel tank includes 25 mm front and 20 mm back plates of steel, and this is included in Pfuel, the efficiency will be exaggerated depending on the reference penetration of the sample charge. Let's say (just for this argument) that the reference shaped charge penetrates 180 mm, but it can be stopped by 25 mm steel + 680 mm of fuel + 20 mm steel. Then 680 mm of fuel provides as much protection as 135 mm steel. Now if somebody forgets the fact that there is a 25 mm coverplate and a 20 mm back plate, the efficiency of fuel will be exaggerated by 33%.

Leopard 1BE measurements at Gunfire museum (July 22).
Mantlet was not really doable due to time constraints.

Leopard 1A5BE MEXAS light skirts were ~20mm, had a "plywood" texture, probably some type of aramid composite as it was quite heavy.
LFP add-on thickness: 140mm
UFP add-on thickness: 105mm
Turret left side add-on was 260mm LOS, not including stand-off, only the vertical angle.
The add-on on the hull was made of a single thin steel plate, about 6mm, with some kind of foam backer, probably PU foam, roughly 20-30mm thick and "brittle" to the touch.

Variance of about 2mm due to paint etc.
If anyone knows of a way to improve the chances to measure convex and rough surfaces with a TM-8818 and log them, feel free to share.

@Wiedzmin I might go back for mantlet if needed...

thanks to @skylancer-3441 measures on vehicle and photos, i corrected my previous estimations based on vehicle photogrammetry which had theory about 150mm thickness of block overall
 

 

 
steel plates also have a thin layer of some fiber in coating 
 
 

Photos showing the K2 armor thickness, taken by someone in Poland.

Frontal armor seems rather inconsistent (at least in front of the gunner's sight). Basically only achieves consistent protection when seen directly from the front and ranges from ca. 650 mm (directly next to the gun mantlet) to ca. a maximum of 850 mm. Also I am not sure if the element to which the radar panels are mounted is actual armor; it is attached with bolts from the front, but there is also a welding seam at the top. At 30° angle, armor thickness can range from <100 mm to 630 mm.
 
Not a very consistent protection.

Turret side armor is 50 mm thick, seemingly a simple steel plate. Additional ERA can be attached to the stowage boxes.
 

Side skirt armor. 50 mm baseline armor plus ERA panels (25 mm ERA + 25 mm backplate).

Rear hull, 30 mm steel.
 

Fairly certain that we can see a lid + latches at the turret side (on the right - increased brightness and contrast).

Closest to confirmation we’re likely to get regarding the Elbit MT30 turret. 
 

NK repaired and build new structures at their tank factory. On footage of M2020 people managed to spot buildings that they used to geolocate. Maybe M2020 production line?

 
 
And slightly bigger pics of NK Stryker. Looks like he was driving ATGM carrier version.

 
 

pics from 2ch 
 
https://disk.yandex.ru/d/8FBI1A-gl-VUPQ

The glorious leader personally inspecting the new NKStryker.

"Boomerang at home" at the Army 2023

 
 
More pics of T-72 with cope cage and crew cather net

 
 
BMP-2 with Berezhok and uparmor kit.

 
BMP-3 with uparmor kit

 
T-90M with additional ERA

SAZP-57 guntruck. Its Spartak armored truck armed with S-60 57 autocannon.
Offered in 3 varaints, 1st is basic gun in truck with crew of 4, 2nd - additional night optics, gunner control in cabin,LRF, more accurate electrical aiming servos, etc, crew of 3. 3rd - with optical station and target tracking, crew of 3. 

 
 

Guys. We got it.

 

PAT-S prject looks like got reanimated.

Simon Tan passed away in May.

Lance turret shell in Australia

The assembled vehicle is now being showcased at the German Infantry School in Hammelburg:

Close-up of the damaged turret armor:

I would not trust the claims about the blast tests without any more detailed source. People somehow believe that Redback has good armor, because it uses armor provided by Plasan. The fact that Rheinmetall acquired IBD and IBD at its peak was a bigger player (in terms of total armor kits deliveried, locations around the globe and number of different vehicles types fitted with armor solutions) than Plasan in the armor market is often not known to those people. Plasan doesn't really have the same references, being not active on the global market for as long as IBD/Rheinmetall. They don't even provide the full armor kits for the Piranha series, only the mine protection kit. Just like with WCSP, where they only provided the turret armor.
 
For the BAE Systems' ACV, IBD developed an armor kit capable to withstand the detonation of 10 (!) 155 mm artillery shells stacked ontop of each other... and that was ten years ago.

M2020 has ERA now:

The assembled vehicle is now being showcased at the German Infantry School in Hammelburg:

The assembled vehicle is now being showcased at the German Infantry School in Hammelburg:

Leopard 2A6 was hit by an "anti-tank weapon" at the turret side within the frontal arc.
 




 
After traveling through the add-on armor module, the shaped charge still penetrate some 20 centimetres deep into the main armor (see 3:13 in the clip).
 
 
 
 

A third batch of 11 Wisent 2s was just confirmed for Norway. 8 will be in the AEV role, and the remaining 3 in the ARV role. FMA also makes a point to mention that some of these were needed to replace the 3 NM189 AEVs and the single NM217 ARV that were donated to Ukraine earlier this year.
 
https://www.fma.no/aktuelt-og-media/2020/forsvaret-far-flere-ingenior-og-bergingspanservogner
 
Another 2 LEGUAN Leo 2 AVLBs are also in the pipeline, but there's been no news of any contract just yet.
 
And finally, the option to purchase the additional 18 Leo 2A8NOR apparently runs out today, so unless we see some kind of announcement on this today, even just an extension of the deadline, I don't have much hope for any additional MBTs for Norway.

Just some minor wheeled update:
Negotiations on the purchase of the Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie based (based on Boxer CRV) with Australia have started. An Australian delegation has visited Germany. The goal is to sign a government-to-government deal in 2023 and receive first vehicles by 2025. Overall 121 vehicles are to be purchased. A recent article written by authorized representative for the program in the German MoD detailed that the selection of the manned turret was a result of the vehicle commander somehow needing "direct visual contact and direct communication" to nearby infantry (apparently that is not possible when the commander has a hatch in the hull ).  As the Boxer CRV is a reconnaissance variant based on an IFV variant, it is designed with capacity for infantry (dismounting scouts), but the German Jäger will not have dismounts on the Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie... so they are trying to come up with some sort of use for the rear compartment such as carrying UAVs (which can be and are already carried in lighter vehicles at greater distance from the front line) or "UGVs armed for example with an autocannon" (currently market available UGVs with autocannon - unless talking about an anemic solution with the M230LF - are too heavy and too large to be carried inside the Boxer and have enough endurance - e.g. Milrem Type X UGV: 600 km - to be drive on their own). Also German media reported (based on "industry sources") that an alternative offer - likely from KMW - with full production in Germany supposedly was only half as expensive. The Caracal (a variant of the Enok 4.8 AB from ACS Armoured Car Systems offered in cooperation with Rheinmetall and Mercedes-Benz) has been selected as the new lightly armored vehicle airborne for the airborne units of the Dutch and German armies. At the moment 1,504 vehicles (1,000 for Germany and 504 for the Netherlands) have been ordered, but there is an option for a further 1,500 (1,000 for Germany and 500 for the Netherlands). Deliveries are to start 2025 at a rate of 300 vehicles (with 200 going to Germany and 100 to the Netherlands each year). The Netherlands have also purchased 138 armor kits for the Caracal; there are currently no infos on how many Germany has purchased/will purchase. The Caracal beat the GRF from KMW & Defenture. Originally GDELS also competed with the Merlin, but withdrew due to it being to heavy for the weight limit. As per the German concept for the Medium Forces (Mittlere Kräfte), at least some Marder IFVs are to be replaced with a Boxer IFV model. The latest plans suggest that a total of 148 Boxer IFVs should be procured. Supposedly the Army favors an unmanned solution, so there won't be any turret commonality with the Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie. Germany also remains comitted to the procurement of a wheeled SPG; the stated requirement is for 160 vehicles. Currently the maturity of the Boxer-based RCH 155 is being tested with (based on rumor mill) rather positive feedback, but also some minor improvement ideas that are being implemented by KMW. The "wheeled self-propelled howitzer" from a cooperation of Rheinmetall (providing the HX3 truck chassis, weapon system and local modifications) and Elbit Systems (providing the turret and autoloader of its SIGMA system) is not being tested yet due to the immaturity of the design (still in development, no real prototype has fired its gun) and for being incompatible with a partner's (UK) requirement. further Boxer variants are also planned including ARV, AVLB, long-range anti-tank vehicle, air-defence missile carrier and SPAAG with the Skyranger 30 turret are also planned, but not much concrete details regarding numbers and equipment. KMW has proposed the Boxer UAV variants (carrying & controlling more than a dozen small/micro drones) and Boxer Digitalization (for controlling UGVs) for the German medium forces The program for the Fuchs successor is also on-going. Currently the German Army plans to purchase 629 new vehicles. Germany has joined the Patria CAVS program, but this is not a final decision as it is a prerequisite for testing the Patria 6x6 vehicle. Patria has stated in an interview with German media that it is looking for local partners that would take care of the production for the Bundeswehr's program, if the CAVS is selected. Rheinmetall is offering its Fuchs Evolution, which is not really a Fuchs 2, but also more than the previously proposed Fuchs 1A9. Meanwhile Rheinmetall and Ukraine have agreed on the supply (and later local production) of Fuchs vehicles including a new upgraded IFV variant. There are/were two options being discussed: using the Skyranger 30 turret (which is an air-defence turret and thus not optimal for a modern IFV) or leftover Marder 1A3 turrets (which are quite outdated). Production of Fuchs vehicles in high quantities in Ukraine might be advantageous for the companies' chances against the CAVS. Last but not least, Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin have detailed their offer (based on HIMARS) in the German wheeled artillery program. The new system is called GMARS (German Medium/Multiple Artillery Rocket System) based on a HX3 truck and fitted with a full-sized launcher from the latest/improved M270A2 variant; so it is rather comparable K239 Chunmoo and HOMAR-K (Polish Chunmoo on Jelz truck) but based on official ToT/cooperation and not a bootleg copy. The two companies want Diehl to join their offer, competing against a team formed by KMW, MBDA, EGS and Elbit Systems offering the Euro-PULS system. Euro-PULS is likely cheaper and due to the removable pods, missile size is not limited to the MRLS-launche's internal dimensions, but it carries less ready-to-fire missiles (at least when using GMRLS-sized rockets). Germany favors having a Leopard 2-like "user-club" for its new vehicles (to share development costs, place common orders and help each other with training/logistics), which IMO favors Euro-PULS, as the normal PULS artillery system has been purchased by traditional partners of Germany (the Netherlands and Denmark). GMARS OTOH is based on some HIMARS components and HIMARS has seen a wider adoption in Europe (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Poland all have signed contracts for HIMARS).  

Just some minor wheeled update:
Negotiations on the purchase of the Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie based (based on Boxer CRV) with Australia have started. An Australian delegation has visited Germany. The goal is to sign a government-to-government deal in 2023 and receive first vehicles by 2025. Overall 121 vehicles are to be purchased. A recent article written by authorized representative for the program in the German MoD detailed that the selection of the manned turret was a result of the vehicle commander somehow needing "direct visual contact and direct communication" to nearby infantry (apparently that is not possible when the commander has a hatch in the hull ).  As the Boxer CRV is a reconnaissance variant based on an IFV variant, it is designed with capacity for infantry (dismounting scouts), but the German Jäger will not have dismounts on the Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie... so they are trying to come up with some sort of use for the rear compartment such as carrying UAVs (which can be and are already carried in lighter vehicles at greater distance from the front line) or "UGVs armed for example with an autocannon" (currently market available UGVs with autocannon - unless talking about an anemic solution with the M230LF - are too heavy and too large to be carried inside the Boxer and have enough endurance - e.g. Milrem Type X UGV: 600 km - to be drive on their own). Also German media reported (based on "industry sources") that an alternative offer - likely from KMW - with full production in Germany supposedly was only half as expensive. The Caracal (a variant of the Enok 4.8 AB from ACS Armoured Car Systems offered in cooperation with Rheinmetall and Mercedes-Benz) has been selected as the new lightly armored vehicle airborne for the airborne units of the Dutch and German armies. At the moment 1,504 vehicles (1,000 for Germany and 504 for the Netherlands) have been ordered, but there is an option for a further 1,500 (1,000 for Germany and 500 for the Netherlands). Deliveries are to start 2025 at a rate of 300 vehicles (with 200 going to Germany and 100 to the Netherlands each year). The Netherlands have also purchased 138 armor kits for the Caracal; there are currently no infos on how many Germany has purchased/will purchase. The Caracal beat the GRF from KMW & Defenture. Originally GDELS also competed with the Merlin, but withdrew due to it being to heavy for the weight limit. As per the German concept for the Medium Forces (Mittlere Kräfte), at least some Marder IFVs are to be replaced with a Boxer IFV model. The latest plans suggest that a total of 148 Boxer IFVs should be procured. Supposedly the Army favors an unmanned solution, so there won't be any turret commonality with the Schwerer Waffenträger Infanterie. Germany also remains comitted to the procurement of a wheeled SPG; the stated requirement is for 160 vehicles. Currently the maturity of the Boxer-based RCH 155 is being tested with (based on rumor mill) rather positive feedback, but also some minor improvement ideas that are being implemented by KMW. The "wheeled self-propelled howitzer" from a cooperation of Rheinmetall (providing the HX3 truck chassis, weapon system and local modifications) and Elbit Systems (providing the turret and autoloader of its SIGMA system) is not being tested yet due to the immaturity of the design (still in development, no real prototype has fired its gun) and for being incompatible with a partner's (UK) requirement. further Boxer variants are also planned including ARV, AVLB, long-range anti-tank vehicle, air-defence missile carrier and SPAAG with the Skyranger 30 turret are also planned, but not much concrete details regarding numbers and equipment. KMW has proposed the Boxer UAV variants (carrying & controlling more than a dozen small/micro drones) and Boxer Digitalization (for controlling UGVs) for the German medium forces The program for the Fuchs successor is also on-going. Currently the German Army plans to purchase 629 new vehicles. Germany has joined the Patria CAVS program, but this is not a final decision as it is a prerequisite for testing the Patria 6x6 vehicle. Patria has stated in an interview with German media that it is looking for local partners that would take care of the production for the Bundeswehr's program, if the CAVS is selected. Rheinmetall is offering its Fuchs Evolution, which is not really a Fuchs 2, but also more than the previously proposed Fuchs 1A9. Meanwhile Rheinmetall and Ukraine have agreed on the supply (and later local production) of Fuchs vehicles including a new upgraded IFV variant. There are/were two options being discussed: using the Skyranger 30 turret (which is an air-defence turret and thus not optimal for a modern IFV) or leftover Marder 1A3 turrets (which are quite outdated). Production of Fuchs vehicles in high quantities in Ukraine might be advantageous for the companies' chances against the CAVS. Last but not least, Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin have detailed their offer (based on HIMARS) in the German wheeled artillery program. The new system is called GMARS (German Medium/Multiple Artillery Rocket System) based on a HX3 truck and fitted with a full-sized launcher from the latest/improved M270A2 variant; so it is rather comparable K239 Chunmoo and HOMAR-K (Polish Chunmoo on Jelz truck) but based on official ToT/cooperation and not a bootleg copy. The two companies want Diehl to join their offer, competing against a team formed by KMW, MBDA, EGS and Elbit Systems offering the Euro-PULS system. Euro-PULS is likely cheaper and due to the removable pods, missile size is not limited to the MRLS-launche's internal dimensions, but it carries less ready-to-fire missiles (at least when using GMRLS-sized rockets). Germany favors having a Leopard 2-like "user-club" for its new vehicles (to share development costs, place common orders and help each other with training/logistics), which IMO favors Euro-PULS, as the normal PULS artillery system has been purchased by traditional partners of Germany (the Netherlands and Denmark). GMARS OTOH is based on some HIMARS components and HIMARS has seen a wider adoption in Europe (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Poland all have signed contracts for HIMARS).