MBT Modernization in Order their performance in urban setting.
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Newest MBT Challenger 2 has a considerable number of improvements regarding survivability, including lattice armor aft

Traditional sphere of action of main battle tanks (MBT) - open area, and although it is still more important, however, recent surgery showed that the tanks are a powerful tool in the conduct of military operations in the city. The article deals with international developments, which aim to create more suitable for the war in built-up areas tanks.

The main objective of main battle tanks has always been shelling and destruction of other MBT on the battlefield and for many countries it still remains a major challenge.

However, the Russian experience in Chechnya, operations in the Balkans, the recent operation of the West in the Middle East and elsewhere have shown that MBT is a very flexible weapons system plays an important role not only in urban combat, but also in counter-insurgency operations.

In order to remain efficient in urban environments, the tanks have to be modified in three key areas: survivability, fire power and situational awareness. There is a wide range of options such modifications and although some approaches are universal, there are a number of individual decisions, which are identified with specific theaters of operations (TVD).

Traditionally, the highest level of protection MBT was always on the frontal arc from 60 to 90 degrees, but the fighting in the city may even attack from, including top and bottom. In this regard, many additional MBT was installed on the body armor and, in some cases also on the tower. As for the housing, there is a reservation bead currently protects not only the separation of the driver ahead of the car, but also increasingly widens towards the stern to protect the crew compartment. Currently feed tank often has protection against anti-tank weapons, for example, widespread reactive grenades the RPG-7.

Another trend is the installation of blocks of dynamic protection (RS), which have long been established for the majority of Russian MBT to improve their survivability on the frontal arc. Currently DZ is also part of the kit to improve the survivability of the tank in TUSK (Urban Survival Kit) installed on U.S. MBT M1A1/M1A2. The main disadvantage of the DMZ is that it can be potentially dangerous and can cause injuries dismounted infantry, located near the machine. The Israeli army has equipped active armor many of their old tanks, but currently available MBT Merkava Mk 4 are passive reservation system; its components are modular and it allows you to remove and replace the blocks depending on the combat conditions or reservations technology development.

Some MBT were also equipped with anti-tank mines, but it can be a costly exercise due to the fact that it involves the modification of armor on machines with relatively low ground clearance and is not intended for this purpose. Company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has developed a set of mine protection for the tank Leopard 2A6, were designated 2A6M, which mainly consists of additional sheets of armor, mounted on the bottom. It initially met the requirements of Germany and the Netherlands, but also the Canadian Army has leased 20 German tanks Leopard 2A6M, of which 19 were deployed in Afghanistan.

In general, all the tanks actually involved in Afghanistan and Iraq, have been equipped with various electronic devices to neutralize improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

MBT Protection can still improved by installation of an opto-electronic warfare or complex active protection along explosion suppressing sprinkler system and to improve the survivability of the crew if the complex does not work properly and the machine will be amazed.

Various seats to improve crew protection. For many years, drivers seat Russian tanks were soon attached to the roof, and not to the bottom in order to improve its survivability, and some countries are now replacing their usual seats all crew seat Autoflug, which are attached to the sides and the roof and have no contact with bottom.


Tank Leopard 2 PSO, equipped with a front dozer blade, with a camouflage for the urban environment and remotely controlled weapon station with a 12.5 mm machine gun

Increased fire power
As for fire power, urban operations offer a range of purposes than the traditional set for MBT and tank ammunition are not always suitable for the task. Much of western MBT usually shoot two types of ammunition from its 120-mm smoothbore gun: armor-piercing (APFSDS) and universal anti-cumulative (HEAT-MP). Russian MBT also shoot APFSDS, but their second shell is high-explosive (HE-FRAG) and the recent Russian development - this high-explosive shell, which can be programmed for different range by MSA and which is seen as a means to attack targets behind cover.

Several other countries have now started to get adopted similar shells, some of them can be programmed to blow over entrenched infantry for maximum impact. Grapeshot shells highly effective against both infantry and to neutralize barriers of barbed wire. Company Israel Military Industries has developed and launched the fragmentation / materiel to defeat shell Anti-Personnel/Anti-Material (ARAM), which produces a number of fatal subsnaryadov during horizontal flight, to provide a highly zone about 50 m long and 20 m wide. First admitted to the troops became a shot for 105-mm rifled gun, and then followed by a projectile for a 120 mm smoothbore gun.

British Challenger 2 tanks retain their 120-mm rifled gun L30, which in addition to APFSDS, can also shoot with explosive projectile crushes the head part (HESH), well suited for urban operations, since it is effective for punching walls. Another popular method for breaking barriers - set dozer blade on MBT. It has also shown to be effective in clearing blockages city in Afghanistan with the help of his pit filled and cleared the way for going after the machine quickly moved forward. In some cases, the dozer blade can be replaced by systems clearance plow or roller-type, which are used in conjunction with devices undermine minutes ahead of the car.

The possibility of self-defense can be improved by installing roof remotely controlled weapon stations with 7.62-mm, 12.5-mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, which usually works loader. This gives a distinct advantage in areas where high threat snipers fire that makes the crew work under armor protection while reducing the level of situational awareness.

Detecting opponent can be challenging in an urban environment and good situational awareness is vital, especially when placed in a tank with zadraennymi hatches. Not counting the tank commander, which is often mounted on the roof has stabilized panoramic sight, turning 360 degrees, opto-electronic devices for the driver and loader arrow usually cover the frontal arc, although some of the latest MBT also equipped with a rear view camera in order to the driver can take back safely. However, there are several ways to improve the situational awareness of the crew, the tanks can be equipped with a camera on a mast or a group of compact cameras, which are installed in the front, with the sides and stern, and the picture is displayed as it is made in the latest Merkava Mk 4.

However, some electro-optical devices are vulnerable to small arms bullets and rocket fragments and some of the cars were equipped with flaps that cover the appliances when they are not necessary, although it is only palliative.

Limited angles of elevation and decline can make it difficult for the tanks shelling the enemy, as in the melee, and is located in tall buildings, but at least for melee MBT usually have grenade launcher with electric firing usually smoke grenades or other means masking. Some countries are redesigning their firing fragmentation grenades for protection against infantry in urban environments.

Instead of direct visual exchange, modern MBT have battle management system for the rapid exchange of information, as well as a comprehensive communications system. Melee with dismounted infantry many MBT deployed in urban or counterinsurgency operations, equipped with a telephone in the stern and "clever" intercom, which provides wireless communication with the crew of the tank infantry.

French development

Some machines are pretty cool system. Option MBT Leclerc from Nexter, which France acquired 406 machines specifically designed for urban operations and named Leclerc Action en Zone Urbaine (AZUR). It was shown for the first time in mid-2006 and was estimated by the French army in late 2006 early 2007.

Side skirts standard MBT Leclerc only protect the front of the chassis, but the new screen of a modular composite armor has been installed on AZUR, where it extended from the front of the chassis until the end of the fighting compartment. The remainder of the sides and stern with lattice protected by armor, and the roof aft engine compartment has been upgraded to provide increased protection against firebombs. Panoramic camera mounted on the roof to ensure that the tank commander quick round visibility, remote-controlled 7.62mm machine gun mounted on the roof, pointing and shooting conducted from inside the tank. The tank also has seven grenade launchers GALIX each side towers that shoot smoke grenades GALIX 4. Addition to standard ammunition APFSDS and HEAT, 120-mm smoothbore gun can also shoot a newly developed high-explosive ammunition Nexter Munitions 120 HE F1. It was developed under contract with the Agency for the purchase of arms, ordered 10,000 of these shots.


Preview MBT Leclerc from the stern; modernized tank for the urban environment, the changes are shown in blue

Leclerc MBT MBT usually has two additional diesel tank, but they were removed from the tank and replaced by two AZUR discharged drawers, which can be transported ammunition or allowance for dismounted infantry. Infantry has direct communication channel with the crew Leclerc tank through a communications system melee.

At the request of Nexter Systems, AZUR kit is modular, and users can choose the parts that meet their requirements. In this regard, the entire assembly may be mounted on the machine for less than half with the use of standard tools and equipment.

Further improvements may include installation survivability active protection systems, possibly using experience with a set KBCM (Kit Basique de Contre-Mesures) from Nexter Systems, which has been tested on reconnaissance vehicle AMX-10RC 6x6 in the early 2000s.

Total 254 cars Leclerc French army will mean upgrading (installation kit AZUR), the first machine to re-entered service in 2015. According to a statement Nexter, upgrading can be boosted and tanks deployed earlier periods if requested by operational requirements.

Leclerc AZUR tanks are not equipped with dynamic protection, but the French army established a DMZ on some of their MBT AMX-30B2, which is now decommissioned. DZ is currently installed on the machine engineering EBG and remotely operated vehicle clearance on the chassis of AMX-30.

The French army also suffered two wheeled armored vehicles, upgraded for the urban environment: VAB APCs from Renault Trucks Defense and light reconnaissance vehicle from VBL Panhard General Defense.

Leopard PSO

Company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), the main producer of widespread Leopard 2 MBT, developed a variant of the Leopard 2 PSO (Peace Support Operation - peacekeeping operation), which was shown to the public for the first time in mid-2006. When designing performed at his own expense by KMW and many other subcontractors, the wishes of a number of buyers MBT Leopard 2. According to KMW, modular design allows the Leopard 2 PSO to adapt it to specific customer requirements, some of the components of the kit can be quickly installed on the machine before sending the troops.

MBT modernization in order to improve their performance in an urban setting
Canadian Leopard 2A6 CAN on trial in Germany lattice armor on the hull and turret


Upgraded ARV Büffel for Canada with a new set of booking, including lattice armor around the stern

120-mm smoothbore gun L/44 Rheinmetall from left, but the standard shells APFS-DS and HEAT-MP is not optimized for urban operations. To address this shortcoming, the company Rheinmetall Munitions has developed a new "smart" 120-mm high-explosive shell, which is programmed to blow over the target for maximum impact on dismounted or entrenched infantry.

7.62-mm coaxial machine gun abandoned, but also set a remotely controlled weapon station for direct cover. You can install a 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, from which fire can lead loader.

All MBT Leopard 2 have two groups of four 76-mm grenade launcher mounted on each side of the tower, they set the standard smoke grenade or traps, but one can also shoot fragmentation grenades to fight with the infantry.

The Leopard 2 PSO is equipped with additional armor on the roof, as well as armor shields, the extended aft and down each side of the tower.

Perhaps tanks Leopard 2 PSO will also be equipped with a set of standard mine protection 2A6M, which is already on some Canadian, German and Swedish Leopard 2 MBT series. Ahead mounted dozer with hydraulic drive controlled by the driver from his seat, it can be used to clear obstacles such as roadblocks and barricades.

Optics Leopard 2 PSO is protected so that it can not be damaged by stones. Can also be mounted camera to improve situational awareness of the crew at 360 degrees. Situational awareness system AZEZ from Rheinmetall Defence Electronics has already been tested on a tank Leopard 2A4.

While Leopard 2 PSO can be made to this specification, it seems that most buyers prefer instead to alter the existing machine. You can install a new electrical drives instead of standard electrohydraulic system MBT Leopard 2. Can also be installed auxiliary power unit that allows subsystems to operate mainly at the muffled diesel engine capacity of 1500 hp MTU

The company completed several prototypes KMW Leopard 2 PSO, but while the German army did not confirm their procurement plans. One time was supposed to modernize the party of 70 Leopard 2 towers, which could be quickly installed on existing Leopard 2 chassis.

The Canadian Army has leased 20 Leopard 2A6M tanks from the German Army for use in Afghanistan in order to meet urgent operational requirements (UOR). Before deploying they were upgraded to the configuration Leopard 2A6M CAN, which includes the installation of the Canadian communications equipment, protective shields to reduce heat signatures from Saab, cooling jackets for the crew, bar armor on the hull and turret, and electronic equipment to combat IEDs.

The Canadian Army also rented two ARV production Biiffel Rheinmetall Landsysteme to support their tanks Leopard 2A6M CAN, deployed in Afghanistan. They were modernized by Rheinmetall Landsysteme before shipping was an extra bar armor stern machine, Canadian communications equipment, cooling crew modified dozer blade and an additional supply of water for the crew. In this upgrade also includes a new set of mine protection for Biiffel, which became the first buyer of Canada.

Strengthening the protection of tank Merkava
Israeli Merkava MBT was originally designed for conventional warfare and is currently commercially produced model Merkava Mk 4. He is perhaps the highest level of protection of modern tanks, it has an unusual layout, power unit located at the front, and the remainder is given over to the crew compartment.
Merkava has a high level of protection not only in the frontal arc and the sides but also aft. In addition to the crew of four people it can carry troops who quickly desantiruyutsya from the stern.

Not one MBT can not provide the crew and troops will be protected, some of the Merkava MBT has been lost in recent years, from being blown up by mines and anti-tank weapons. Combat experience gained in South Lebanon, accelerated to further improve the survivability MBT Merkava. After extensive testing, the Israeli army is now beginning to equip their MBT Merkava Mk 4 complex Trophy active protection from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. During recent tests, he successfully intercepted 100 percent certain types of anti-tank weapons, which increased protection vserakursnym Merkava Mk 4 from anti-tank weapons such as the RPG-7. To collaborate with their MBT Israel has developed a wide range of machines to ensure the tank chassis, including armored fighting vehicles Achzarit based on the chassis of tanks T-54 and T-55, an engineering Puma car chassis Centurion. They have a high level of protection with the established systems of production companies Rafael Advanced Defence Systems and Israel Military Industries. Both companies also offer protection kits for foreign MBT, they were sold to several countries, including Slovenia (T-55) and Turkey (M60A3). Currently adopted worth heavy infantry fighting vehicle Namer (Tiger), it is a completely new car component-based tank Merkava Mk 4. On her complex set of active protection from Iron Fist Israel Military Industries. Russian experience during the war in Chechnya, about 10 percent of BMP deployed in Chechnya, the Russian army had lost most of the battles in the nearby city. Since then, Russia has made ​​increased focus on improving the survivability of their BMP, but negatively affected by a large number of different types of machines currently deployed, which seek to get rid of the Russian army at the moment. Produced now the Russian T-90 MBT have advanced solutions Booking including the DMZ on the frontal arc. Russia developed and tested a number of protective systems, such as Arena The PCU and Drozd-2 from KBM, but they apparently are not credited to the Russian army. During the hostilities in Georgia in 2008, large BMP part of the Russian army was outdated, including MBT T-62 and T-72 and BMP-1 and BMP-2. None of these machines has not been optimized, although some T-62 was installed on the sides of the tower bar armor to protect against RPGs. Lattice armor also installed a number of other Russian armored vehicles, mostly on the basis of combat expediency. DZ Russia develops many years and has the latest systems to ensure protection from kinetic, explosive ammunition and cumulative. In addition to installing these units MBT DZ also been installed on the BMP-3 and offered for export. BMPT on the chassis of T-90 MBT (Terminator) is currently produced in small quantities for the Russian army, the machine will normally be used to support other AFVs in urban operations.

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