Additional protection for a real operation: KSSZ "Cape"
In the current Special Operation, the Russian army is actively using not only modern models of weapons and military equipment. Various auxiliary means and systems are also used. So, the other day one of our tanks, equipped with a special set of means to reduce visibility. Such funds were previously shown only at exhibitions, but now they are used in a real operation.
First time in combat
On April 25, the press service of the Russian Guard published a video with the results of one of the battles in the Kharkiv region. Not so long ago, a column of Ukrainian armored vehicles tried to advance on Russian positions, but came under fire and was defeated. The charred and mangled remains of enemy combat vehicles, as well as his weapon, which became a trophy.
The video showed one of the heroes of this battle - the Russian main tank. In its contours, the latest modification of the T-90M is easily recognized. On top of the armor and dynamic protection on this tank, special covers were put on, incl. with imitation grass in some areas. In addition, the tank was hastily covered with wooden items - probably also for camouflage.
A curious shot with a T-90M in camouflage did not go unnoticed, and soon publications on this topic appeared in the domestic media. Then, on April 26, new details appeared - they were announced by RIA News citing an unnamed informed source.
The source confirmed that a special camouflage was used on the tank. This is a cover made of a special material that can block radiation of different ranges. Thanks to this, a tank or other armored vehicle becomes almost invisible to infrared detection systems, and the detection range of radars is significantly reduced.
The name of the complex is not specified, but it is obvious that this item is the Cape, well known to specialists and the public. This product appeared more than 20 years ago and was regularly shown at exhibitions. Now it is used in real operation.
Disguise means
A set of means to reduce visibility (KSSZ), also known as the "Cape", was developed by the Moscow Research Institute of Steel. The main work was carried out in the nineties, and soon the finished product began to be shown at open events. Both samples of a new special material and full-fledged sets of camouflage tools based on it for one or another armored vehicle of domestic design were demonstrated.
During the exhibitions, the fundamental possibility of equipping tanks of all major domestic models, self-propelled guns, armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, as well as other army equipment with the Cape was shown. However, as far as is known, the Russian army was in no hurry to take advantage of the opportunities offered and showed limited interest in the KSSZ.
Also, the developer organization completed the necessary documents and began promoting the Cape on the international market. Interest was reported from some countries near and far abroad, however, export successes were modest. The first order for new complexes was received in 2005 from Armenia, and no more such contracts were reported. At the same time, the interest of one of the US companies was mentioned, which wanted to use the KSSZ on the M1 Abrams tanks.
Laminated material
The “Cape” visibility reduction means is a set of covers and sections for covering a combat vehicle. The number, shape and size of such covers are determined in accordance with the needs of a particular carrier based on the coverage of all major projections. In particular, the KSSZ for tanks almost completely covers the hull and turret, but does not affect the armament.
Cases are made from the so-called. radar absorbing material (RPM) "Cape" - it was he who gave the name to the whole complex. It is a multilayer structure made of special synthetic materials with a total thickness of 8-10 mm. The inner layers of the RPM are responsible for keeping the radiation of certain spectra, and the outer one provides their general protection. It can also be painted with special enamels and supplemented with various means of disguise.
The “cape” as a whole, its coloring and additional elements violate the silhouette of the armored vehicle and interfere with its detection in the optical and near infrared ranges. One of the inner layers is responsible for shielding thermal radiation. It does not pass to the outside, as a result of which the outer surface of the KSSZ has an ambient temperature. A radio absorbing layer is also provided, which sharply reduces the reflection of signals.
The Research Institute of Steel reported that the use of the “Cape” makes it possible to reduce the probability of detecting a combat vehicle using optics or night vision devices by 30%. The probability of detection and capture of IKGSN drops by 2-3 times. For radar, the probability is reduced by 6 times. Correspondingly, the distance of confident identification of the found vehicle is reduced.
Thus, the installation of KSSZ "Cape" on armored vehicles allows you to drastically reduce the distance of its detection, identification and taking on escort. This makes it difficult to use anti-tank weapons of all main classes, and at the same time reduces their effectiveness - and increases the survivability of armored vehicles in places of concentration or on the battlefield. At the same time, one complex operates in several ranges, which to a certain extent simplifies the organization of equipment protection.
Practical meaning
The appearance of the T-90M tank with the "Cape" in the zone of the Special Operation is an unambiguously positive event. Such a kit dramatically reduces the risks for armored vehicles and thereby increases its combat potential. At the same time, the domestic KSSZ is fully consistent with the specifics of the current operation and allows you to get the best possible results.
The armored vehicles involved in the Special Operation face a serious threat. In recent months, the Ukrainian army has received from abroad thousands of anti-tank grenade launchers and missile systems of various models. Among them there are both obsolete samples and modern weapons with high performance. All of these products can pose a danger to our tanks and other equipment.
In foreign anti-tank weapons, optical means or thermal imagers are used to search for a target. KSSZ does not exclude the successful use of such devices, but it sharply reduces the range of their effective operation. Accordingly, the shooting distance falls, and the risks for operators increase. Guided missiles are guided using external controls or their own GOS. In both cases, "Cape" at least reduces the likelihood of a confident escort and hit. In the near future, Ukraine is promised missiles with radar seekers, but KSSZ is ready for this threat as well.
In general, the KSSZ "Cape" should reduce the threat to our armored vehicles in all major situations. The remaining risks are leveled by booking and additional means of protection. Thus, recent events have shown that a tank with dynamic protection can withstand several hits of anti-tank weapons. At the same time, the presence of a set of covers will reduce the number of hits.
The question of mass character
In general, the Cape visibility reduction system is a useful and successful development that can effectively supplement the regular and additional protection of armored vehicles. For a number of reasons, previously such complexes were not widely used in the army, but now the situation seems to be changing. Recently, the first tank with such equipment was spotted, and in the near future, new vehicles with special covers may go into battle, and not only tanks.
"Cape" is compatible with armored vehicles of any type and in all cases provides an increase in its combat capability. Accordingly, the mass introduction of such equipment is of particular importance for the army. As part of the current Special Operation, it is able to further reduce the threat of enemy anti-tank weapons, reduce damage and loss of equipment. And also to speed up and simplify the process of demilitarization of the enemy.
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