"Doesn't activate dynamic protection": Western press evaluates the "Kaplya" ammunition

As early as the beginning of 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on the use of FPV-drones, armed with the new "Kaplya" munition with a 3-kg warhead, which was then classified as a "roof-buster." A video recently surfaced, this time from the Russian side, indicating that factory production has commenced and serial deliveries of this weapon (along with other devices required by drone operators) to UAV units have been established. Regarding this, Russian Armed Forces soldiers explained:

This new type of ammunition was created specifically to penetrate grills and nets using a shaped-charge core. It even penetrates armor quite well. It also produces fragments that can harm infantry or crew members.

"The Drop" in 2024:

Previously, soldiers dismantled existing equipment, such as mines and Shmel anti-tank missiles, to equip drones. Now, with the establishment of centralized supplies of serial production models, this is no longer necessary.

The "Kaplya" has received praise in the Western press. It is noted to be a shaped-charge fragmentation munition, similar in design to a mine, and designed to destroy armored vehicles protected by protective screens and roof canopies:

This is a standardized, mass-produced product supplied to FPV drone operators, not a homemade device.

"The Drop" in 2026:

As reported, when a Kaplya detonates, the metal projectile penetrates the protective shell and strikes the armor, while the resulting shrapnel cloud incapacitates personnel. It is hypothesized that a 150mm diameter warhead can penetrate armor thicker than 100mm without activating the reactive armor.

Comments

[OSE4Kinsura]

The assumption that a 150mm diameter warhead can penetrate armor thicker than 100mm without activating dynamic protection is a myth. If so, it's a miracle! Get it to the troops ASAP!

[GGV]

It's like this is a video from the troops. There's even footage of various types of ammunition being used.

[Inj Meh]

Quote: GGV

It's like this is a video from the troops. There's even footage of various types of ammunition being used.

As if in a video describing at least three different munitions, footage of drones approaching with an unknown warhead.

There is no specific video of the "kaplya" ammunition in action against armored vehicles with a barbecue.

If this is a munition of the impact core type, then the description does not correspond to the operating principle, and the mechanism of action on the dz without initiating it is very interesting.

[Stanislav Chernov]

This is just nonsense from a journalist or another "expert." It's clear from the photo that it's a shock core, and the dynamics of the Contact 1 type simply can't destroy or weaken it. But compared to a jet, cores of equal caliber have lower armor penetration, which is why they are used in submunitions that hit from above, in all sorts of ATGMs that hit tanks from the roof, like the TOU-2B. We have a mine that hits the side of vehicles with a core. The advantage is that it is effective up to 50 meters, unlike a jet, which has an effectiveness of 0.5-2 meters.

[Inj Meh]

Quote: Stanislav Chernov

This is just nonsense from a journalist or another "expert." It's clear from the photo that it's a shock core, and the dynamics of the Contact 1 type simply can't destroy or weaken it. But compared to a jet, cores of equal caliber have lower armor penetration, which is why they are used in submunitions that hit from above, in all sorts of ATGMs that hit tanks from the roof, like the TOU-2B. We have a mine that hits the side of vehicles with a core. The advantage is that it is effective up to 50 meters, unlike a jet, which has an effectiveness of 0.5-2 meters.

It is hard to say
The interaction of the nucleus and the electron must depend on the angle of the collision.

By the way, if contact 1 is used, it may not work, but in theory it should, since the impact core is a high-speed body
Contact V and Relic should work

According to this
https://btvt.narod.ru/4/kontakt5_.htm

[Vitaly Az]

I'm curious too. The only thing that comes to mind is the kinetic destruction of the reactive armor before the HEAT charge initiates. But with such a size and mass, the projectile's velocity should be like that of a hazelnut.

[Inj Meh]

Quote: Vitaly Az

I'm curious too. The only thing that comes to mind is the kinetic destruction of the reactive armor before the HEAT charge initiates. But with such a size and mass, the projectile's velocity should be like that of a hazelnut.

Strictly speaking, it could be something between a core and a jet.

As far as I understand, in general it depends on the shape of the cladding (the degree of its taper)

but it should be something relatively ineffective in terms of armor penetration, but sufficient to break barbecues, nets, etc. and fragments from the explosion of the core itself.

If we are to believe the description, in this sense of the name the drop generally corresponds to this under-stream-over-nucleus.

Well, in general it’s difficult to say.

[Sensor]

The velocity of the penetrating core is approximately 2,5 km/s, significantly exceeding the velocity of the APFSDS round. The penetrating core's armor penetration is maintained at distances of tens of meters. At these distances, the penetration of the penetrating core against steel armor can reach values ​​of 0,4-0,6 times the initial liner diameter (approximately the diameter (caliber) of the shaped charge). In hydrodynamic mode, the penetration depth is proportional to the mass density of the charge's metal liner, which is 16,65 g/cm3 for tantalum, 8,96 g/cm3 for copper, and 7,87 g/cm3 for iron.

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A3%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D1%8F%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%BE

Impact core on the ground and in the sky SVO https://topwar.ru/253554-udarnoe-jadro-na-zemle-i-v-nebe-svo.html

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: ose4kinsura

A warhead with a diameter of 150 mm can penetrate armor thickness of more than 100 mm.

Hardly more than 100 mm! There are "natural" laws of SFZ/EFP ammunition! And they state: SFZ ammunition with copper or steel lining penetrates armor thickness of approximately 0,5 (0,4-0,6) diameter (in "our" case = approximately 80 mm...) This is the "highest probability" in Russian reality! Only tantalum can penetrate 1 diameter (150 mm in "our" case), but I don't know about the use of tantalum for the manufacture of lining for Russian SFZ ammunition! It is very expensive! But some NATO countries use it in the "modest" production of EFP ammunition! There is also an "intermediate" option ... an alloy of copper and tantalum! It is "slightly" cheaper than "pure" tantalum and its penetration is slightly less! Ammunition with a lining made of this alloy can have a penetration of over 100 mm with a diameter of 150 mm! But it is much more expensive than copper lining! Considering that such ammunition is needed in large quantities, I doubt copper-tantalum alloy is used in Russian ammunition for the air defense system! So that leaves copper and steel! And armor penetration is approximately 80 mm!

[Neptus]

Quote: Nikolaevich I

And armor penetration is approximately 80 mm!

You just confused millimeters with centimeters.

[Dmitry Ivanov_8]

This is similar to the "impact core." For a conventional contact HEAT charge, the rule is 5 calibers based on the crater diameter (meaning a 125mm HEAT charge theoretically penetrates 650 +/- mm of armor). I think in the case of the "core," plus or minus about 100 mm of armor seems about right.

[KCA]

Tantalum is used in the production of CT capacitors; it would be expensive to use a spoon for dinner in disposable shells.

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: KCA

the spoon will be a bit expensive...

It's a bit pricey, but they use it! It's used in TOW-2B EFP charges...SPBE "Bonus"... Copper-tantalum and tungsten-tantalum alloys are also used...

[KCA]

Although I looked, this is high-purity tantalum that is used for electronics, expensive, $3600, but for cores, it seems, it is used without any special purification, $200 per kg

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: KCA

It seems that the kernels are processed without any special cleaning, $200 per kg

But still...it's considered too expensive for mass production of EFP munitions, and this limits actual production! In any case, tantalum and tantalum alloys haven't displaced copper or even steel in the linings of shaped-charge and nuclear-impact munitions! Although...as businessmen say, copper has also become more expensive in recent years and the trend continues!

[savage3000]

It's just ipanatas writing articles. It activates everything. It's just that the DZ is ineffective against impact nuclei.

[Neptus]

Quote from Savage3000

It's just that DZ is ineffective against impact nuclei.

The DZ remains effective. It's just that the phone malfunctioned somewhere, and the lattice protection, which is useless against a penetrating core but effective against a cumulative charge, suddenly mistakenly became dynamic.

[Inj Meh]

Quote: Neptus

Quote from Savage3000

It's just that DZ is ineffective against impact nuclei.

The DZ remains effective. It's just that the phone malfunctioned somewhere, and the lattice protection, which is useless against a penetrating core but effective against a cumulative charge, suddenly mistakenly became dynamic.

Yes, it seems so. Lightweight grills like lightweight mesh grills and the like should be ineffective.

It will be interesting (although I won’t because it will help the enemy).

[Stanislav Chernov]

Only DZ with a throwing plate is effective against nuclei; the most common contact 1 has practically no effect.

[savage3000]

It doesn't stay. It's almost useless against a striker.

[olboop]

A wunderwaffe, no less. And what a timely idea.
Seriously speaking, there is no trust in this kind of information.
If this is indeed a new weapon, then the first results of its combat use should be secret.

[Vauxhall]

Quote: olbop

A wunderwaffe, no less. And what a timely idea.
Seriously speaking, there is no trust in this kind of information.
If this is indeed a new weapon, then the first results of its combat use should be secret.

Everything new is well forgotten old..
If anything, since 1983. Anti-tank mine. And not only.

[ideo098]

A cumulative or tandem anti-tank mine? That's interesting.

[Vauxhall]

Quote: ideo098

A cumulative or tandem anti-tank mine? That's interesting.

Neither one nor the other.


The TM-83 is a Soviet anti-tank mine designed to disable enemy wheeled and tracked armored vehicles with a penetrating cannonball fired from the side.[1] It can be installed in both guided and unguided versions.
Developed
USSR 1983 year
total weight
20,4 kg
Size
250 × 250 × 440 mm
Explosive
TG-40/60
Fuse
non-contact
Temperature Range
-30 °C … +50 °C
Affected area
5-50 m

[Viktor Sergeev]

There are no secrets in war, after the first use. This isn't something designed for a global war; this munition is specifically for the air defense system, so there's no secret.

[hagrid]

Well, that doesn't mean it can't be used in a global war, does it?

[Montezuma]

Quote: olbop

If this is indeed a new weapon, then the first results of its combat use should be secret.

From whom are they secret if the enemy has already seen the results of combat use?

[isv000]

Quote: olbop

A wunderwaffe, no less. And what a timely idea.
Seriously speaking, there is no trust in this kind of information.
If this is indeed a new weapon, then the first results of its combat use should be secret.

That is why the performance characteristics are indicated as approximate, since the true ones are not disclosed.
They've already attached an R-60 to the Gerani - the Kh.okhlyaty helicopter is no longer alive, along with its crew of devils.

[Stanislav Chernov]

They made such a big fuss about this helicopter that you're amazed; it's just one helicopter and it won't have any impact on the course of the air defense system.

[Sensor]

If this is indeed a new weapon, then the first results of its combat use should be secret.

First used by the Ukrainian side, VO material from November 13, 2024 https://topwar.ru/253554-udarnoe-jadro-na-zemle-i-v-nebe-svo.html

[Mikhail Nasharashev]

It's such a war that if you're discovered, it's practically impossible to survive.

[Montezuma]

Quote: Mikhail Nasharashev

It's such a war that if you're discovered, it's practically impossible to survive.

True, unless you quickly change your location. Judging by some videos, even artillery pieces, after several shots, remain intact when quickly changing positions. Much also depends on how quickly the surveillance is detected and countermeasures are taken—I'm judging from the LBS information appearing on military information channels, so I could be wrong about some of this.

[Mikhail Nasharashev]

By the way, regarding artillery guns, they've been stationed at key positions lately. They're usually so well-equipped that they can't even move quickly. They're buried under branches or in a caponier. After the command, the soldiers run, deploy the gun, fire, and then close it again. I understand that for some reason they stay in place for a very long time and aren't afraid of being hit.

[Montezuma]

Quote: Mikhail Nasharashev

By the way, regarding artillery guns, they've been deployed at major points lately, and as a rule, they're so well-equipped that they can't even talk about quickly changing positions.

I've seen this too. It's safe to assume that distance from the LBS plays a role—the further away, the lower the risk. Looking from the couch, it's difficult to take into account the specifics of the BD in each specific situation.

[Vauxhall]

Quote: Mikhail Nasharashev

By the way, regarding artillery guns, they've been stationed at key positions lately. They're usually so well-equipped that they can't even move quickly. They're buried under branches or in a caponier. After the command, the soldiers run, deploy the gun, fire, and then close it again. I understand that for some reason they stay in place for a very long time and aren't afraid of being hit.

I noticed that too. But mostly they're howitzers. And substantial caponiers. Although there are plenty of drones on that side, too.
I cannot judge or comment.

[Mikhail Nasharashev]

Now almost all the guns there are howitzers.
A howitzer is a type of artillery weapon designed primarily for high-angle fire from closed firing positions, outside the direct line of sight of the target.
D-30, 2A36 "Giatsint-B", Msta-B, D-20
I even find it difficult to name the non-howitzers that are used in the SVO)

[Stanislav Chernov]

Reality is very different from the fantasies of internet experts, who consider UAVs an all-destroying wonder weapon, claiming that everything else must be abandoned immediately. They're unfazed by the fact that millions of them are used annually, but the people, equipment, and artillery are still in place and actively fighting. Remember the howling about the wall of drones and the killzone that the Ukrainians were supposed to have erected by last summer? Everyone's forgotten.

[Adrey]

"Shock core" judging by the appearance.

[savage3000]

This is a shock core. It's been produced for many, many years. They just made a version for FPV.

[tlauicol]

If this thing proves effective, Ukrainians and the West will immediately set up production. Barbecues will start disappearing.

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: Tlauicol

If this thing proves effective, Ukrainians and the West will immediately start producing it. Barbecues will start disappearing.

Already! Ukraine is already producing and using "strike-nuclear" warheads on drones...

[agond]

Quote: Tlauicol

Barbecues will start to disappear
Reply
Quote

It's high time we came up with a mini-air defense system for tanks that would shoot down drones as they approach, at a distance of 10-15 meters.

[tlauicol]

Quote: agond

Quote: Tlauicol

Barbecues will start to disappear
Reply
Quote

It's high time we came up with a mini-air defense system for tanks that would shoot down drones as they approach, at a distance of 10-15 meters.

Then the core will hit from 50 meters above

[ideo098]

It is probably possible to fight without barbecues if you have a decent APS.

[Stanislav Chernov]

My God, what nonsense? A munition like a penetrator core has been around for 60 years, what secrets are there? Just look at the TOU-2B missile, that's from the 70s, hitting a tank roof with a penetrator core. This has all been known for years. Stop falling for every trumped-up piece of information.

[ideo098]

As usual, they're taking too long to get going in Russia. Surely this could have been done a couple of years ago.
Still, thanks to those who are developing new types of weapons.

[Stanislav Chernov]

Another thinker, what new ammunition?

[Stanislav Chernov]

An ordinary impact core, both we and the enemy have plenty of such ammunition, the news was sucked out of a finger

[Ponimatel]

It is assumed that a warhead with a diameter of 150 mm can penetrate armor thicker than 100 mm without activating dynamic protection.

Why the hell make such stupid assumptions? Wouldn't it be better to just test this wonder weapon and, once it's proven to be functional, put it into production?

[Hitriy Zhuk]

A typical "roof-breaker".
It seems that Zhabelin has a core (or I'm confusing it with something similar), and that's what the grills were originally made from.
So the question arises of composite in the roofs, so that at least 300 mm of protection from cumulative (the core is an "unfinished cumulative") is there.

So, the impact core was also made in mines that struck by sound, but those only hit the side well.

[anclevalico]

The admission is fresh, but knowing how the system works, it’s hard to believe.

[Barmal]

In general, information in the media is unnecessary for any new ammunition.

[KCA]

Dynamic protection is not activated, it is just armor plates with explosives under them and the explosives will explode in any case, simply from detonation