In April, there were reports that the American M1 Abrams third-generation main battle tanks had undergone upgrades and acquired an invisible anti-missile shield that destroys armor-piercing shells and other threats before they can get close to the vehicle.
The Pentagon is preparing its main battle tank for the next phase of its hybrid wars, expected to begin in the mid-2020s or earlier.
According to The Times of Israel, the US military has signed a $ 193 million contract with the Israeli company Rafael. Under the terms of the agreement, the Israeli arms manufacturer undertakes to equip Abrams tanks with Trophy active protection systems (KAZ).
The system is designed to combat missile threats. It includes four radar antennas and fire control radars that detect targets such as anti-tank guided missiles and anti-tank rocket grenades. As soon as the system notices the projectile, the interceptors located in the launchers fly out and neutralize the threat.
Under the contract, KAZ America will be supplied by Leonardo DRS, which manufactures systems in partnership with Rafael.
The production of KAZ "Trophy" will be established in the United States and in Israel, and for the Trump administration this is an achievement, and in the meantime, the war is approaching.
Developed by the Israeli company Rafael, the system is the world's first full-fledged active protection complex (invisible shield) and enemy detection system for armored vehicles. Rafael representatives mention that more than 1,000 systems have been installed on Israel's main ground combat vehicles.
“For over 20 years, Rafael has been equipping armored vehicles such as Bradley BMPs, Stryker armored personnel carriers and AAV7 tracked amphibious vehicles with active and passive protection systems. We are delighted to continue our cooperation and install Trophy systems,”says Moshe Elazar, Rafael Executive Vice President. "Most of the Trophy components are manufactured by the American military-industrial complex, and we welcome the opportunity to increase production in the US (including the production of parts for Israeli systems) as America purchases new equipment."
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The Trophy active protection system is installed on the Merkava main battle tank, which the Israeli army has been using since 2009. In addition, armored personnel carriers of the Israel Defense Forces are equipped with the system. For the first time, the Israeli military was able to test the complex in combat conditions in March 2011, when fire from a grenade launcher was opened on the Merkava tank near the border with the Gaza Strip.
The system operates on the basis of sophisticated algorithms that provide comprehensive protection using radars. Four antennas and two rotating launchers located on the turret are attached to the hull of the tank.
As soon as a threat is detected, the algorithm determines its type, and if a direct attack is planned, the countermeasure system is automatically activated - the interceptors located in the launchers rush towards the warhead and neutralize the threat.
Colonel Glenn Dean (developer of the Stryker brigade combat group project) said at the annual military exhibition in Washington last year that the Trophy system "exceeded expectations."
“I tried 48 times to destroy the Abrams tank, but to no avail,” the colonel said.
The Pentagon equips the main battle tank with an invisible shield. A major new conflict is likely to erupt soon.
Anton Komarov