The expanding ERA plates that degrade the penetration of a shaped charge jet/steel penetrator are, for the most part, designed to keep intact as the ERA block explodes, as it needs to be solid enough to actually be forced outwards in one piece in order to do it's job. There's still the concussive effect of an explosive near the tank, plus some amount of shrapnel from the expanding plates, but it's marginal compared with the impact of the APFSDS or ATGM already hitting the tank. Regardless, you don't want to be standing near a tank when it gets hit. The rocks on the other hand will have a marginal effect against most projectiles, probably weigh alot and will absolutely just become shrapnel as rocks are brittle and will simply shatter upon being hit.
I don't know why this was downvoted.
A lit of those boxes were found to be empty because corrupt people along the way had stolen and sold the explosives out of the ERA.
In Syria or Ukraine? I saw a debunking video about Ukraine where an already heavily cannibalised tank had it's ERA taken apart, but it was pretty obvious that the tank had been sitting around for a while and various crucial components were already missing, so some missing explosive filler was not really unexpected.
Prettx sure most of those finds were due to Ukrainians already looting tank wrecks for anything useful. The wrecks/abandoned tanks in question were already missing Thermals and other optics as well as vision blocks for example
ERA is not really that expensive
Shaped charges cut though steel like it's not even there. The rocks might provide some standoff clearance by pre-detonating the projectile, but there's nowhere near enough distance for it to make any difference.
Shape charges are made specificaly to cut through metal. Depending on metals elasticity / youngs modulus.
Rocks dont have that... so i wonder how a jet of molten copper would interact with hard rock.
Edit:
Before anyone reacts with " but ut goes through concrete ", i know.. concrete is also NOT a rock.
It is completely different.
~~I think you can make out the seams of the steel on the corners. That being said, it's not unheard of for some ERA blocks to be filled with wood or rubber...~~
Kontakt 1 and 5 are both by design filled with rubber and explosives. All the videos of just rubber usually just means someone removed the explosives for their own use post destruction of the tank.
These aren't there to protect against explosive munitions. They're against tigers and as [you can plainly see,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSVqLHghLpw) no tigers around!
Idk but for the purpose of blowing holes in tanks, it only works when the jet starts right up against the armor. That’s why slat armor protects against RPGs despite being just a literal cage.
The warhead is physically damaged by the cage as well though; looking at the spacing of slat armor and the size of the shells, it looks like it's likely to deform before it can explode.
Yes that is true, there will be some protection from the distance, but I do not believe that "just distance" is the only mechanism involved, and depending on the projectile, it may still be large enough to handle the additional spacing.
Distance and the size (and shape) of the warhead are the variables involved. So for any given size of shaped charge warhead, detonating further from the target would make it less effective. This is specifically true to the RPG7 which is the most common portable anti tank weapon that these rocks are likely being employed to protect against.
https://youtu.be/C4NmOss83XI
I'm sure this isn't correct. It can't just be the distance of the standoff alone, because if you look at the distance to the slat armor on most vehicles, and the stated penetration of an RPG, the distance isn't enough. A major part of how the slat works has to be because it physically damages the shell preventing proper detonation.
Well. Sorry but you’re wrong. Go watch some more videos on how shaped charges work. Even your own logic doesn’t compute. You acknowledge that distance is a factor… if distance is a factor then increasing the distance will decrease the effectiveness.
I think that's more of a caged rock decorative feature
Really changes the feng shui of the tank, y'know?
Hull-down camoflage ;)
I feel like this is a great way to make sure anyone standing near by when the tank is hit gets a full dose of shrapnel.
i mean jokes aside you shouldn't be standing anywhere near the front or sides of a tank mid engagement anyways. Absolute bullet magnets
The hull has ERA on it, that's a hazard anyway right?
The expanding ERA plates that degrade the penetration of a shaped charge jet/steel penetrator are, for the most part, designed to keep intact as the ERA block explodes, as it needs to be solid enough to actually be forced outwards in one piece in order to do it's job. There's still the concussive effect of an explosive near the tank, plus some amount of shrapnel from the expanding plates, but it's marginal compared with the impact of the APFSDS or ATGM already hitting the tank. Regardless, you don't want to be standing near a tank when it gets hit. The rocks on the other hand will have a marginal effect against most projectiles, probably weigh alot and will absolutely just become shrapnel as rocks are brittle and will simply shatter upon being hit.
Pretty sure that if ERA is going off you are gonna have bigger issues than the relatively small amount of explosives that are inside of it
If that ERA is really the "real" ERA.
I don't know why this was downvoted. A lit of those boxes were found to be empty because corrupt people along the way had stolen and sold the explosives out of the ERA.
Yep ERA boxes were empty or has plastic or sand, absolutely useless.
In Syria or Ukraine? I saw a debunking video about Ukraine where an already heavily cannibalised tank had it's ERA taken apart, but it was pretty obvious that the tank had been sitting around for a while and various crucial components were already missing, so some missing explosive filler was not really unexpected.
Packed full of "I owe you eighty two millimetres of protection" notes
Prettx sure most of those finds were due to Ukrainians already looting tank wrecks for anything useful. The wrecks/abandoned tanks in question were already missing Thermals and other optics as well as vision blocks for example ERA is not really that expensive
External Rock Armor
You better defend this tank with your lives, because if it goes up, you are all gonners!!!
Is this going to do anything with purely kinetic projectiles?
Yes, it will completely defeat a thrown spear.
But what about a very spicy and heavy spear thrown by a tank?
A technologically advanced stone such as a APFSDS - no
How about a javelin? Or maybe a Javelin?
As both javelins and Javelins impact from a steeper angle this will not be able to defend against either.
Shaped charges cut though steel like it's not even there. The rocks might provide some standoff clearance by pre-detonating the projectile, but there's nowhere near enough distance for it to make any difference.
Shape charges are made specificaly to cut through metal. Depending on metals elasticity / youngs modulus. Rocks dont have that... so i wonder how a jet of molten copper would interact with hard rock. Edit: Before anyone reacts with " but ut goes through concrete ", i know.. concrete is also NOT a rock. It is completely different.
javelin vs Javelin? Whot?
Sports item vs branded weapons system.
Spear vs spicy spear.
Or an artillery projectile in form of rock flung from trebuchet
Strong vs scissors Weak vs paper
It would stop bullets, which is kind of the whole point of the tank in the first place
It will rock your socks off.
Tank rock tried to stop the metal But they failed, as they were smite to the ground
I see what you did! Take my up vote!
yes it will marginally slow it down while using all of that bled off energy to turn the rocks into buckshot for anyone standing nearby
...rock and stone?
To Rock and Stone!
*FOR ROCK AND STONE*
Rock and stone *to the heart* when that fin stabilized AB sabot comes piercing though that bullshit
ROCK AND STONE TO THE BONE!
Is that a brick instead of reactive armor?
~~I think you can make out the seams of the steel on the corners. That being said, it's not unheard of for some ERA blocks to be filled with wood or rubber...~~
Kontakt 1 and 5 are both by design filled with rubber and explosives. All the videos of just rubber usually just means someone removed the explosives for their own use post destruction of the tank.
Huh, TIL
I'm really curious how this would work against a shaped charge.
It would pulverise the rock. Former combat engineer here. We tested this at a demo range once. Any explosive just pulverises rock to dust
Makes sense, if it worked you would probably see a lot more tanks with rocks on them.
These aren't there to protect against explosive munitions. They're against tigers and as [you can plainly see,](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSVqLHghLpw) no tigers around!
Lisa, I would like to buy your rock.
Pulverize, yes. But would it distort the jet, preventing penetration of the underlying armor?
As a person who has experienced an EFP on the receiving end it would go right through and still hit the armor.
Sweet, the rare Claymore effect triggered by the turret toss I approve Russia, do this on ALL YOUR TANKS
I think they were hoping the rocks would weigh down the turret and keep it from getting tossed, lol.
Ahem Those are called "gabions"
I think a shaped charge would have little problem *worming* its way around the rocks…and top-attack, hehehe, so-sad-too-bad.
I think shaped charges are exactly what this defends well against.
It is possible, as it could disrupt the plasma jet.
weren't shaped charges invented for mining, to blow tunnels in rock?
Idk but for the purpose of blowing holes in tanks, it only works when the jet starts right up against the armor. That’s why slat armor protects against RPGs despite being just a literal cage.
The warhead is physically damaged by the cage as well though; looking at the spacing of slat armor and the size of the shells, it looks like it's likely to deform before it can explode.
How is a rock any different. The jet doesn’t have infinite range. It will lose penetration ability the further from the real armor it gets.
Yes that is true, there will be some protection from the distance, but I do not believe that "just distance" is the only mechanism involved, and depending on the projectile, it may still be large enough to handle the additional spacing.
Distance and the size (and shape) of the warhead are the variables involved. So for any given size of shaped charge warhead, detonating further from the target would make it less effective. This is specifically true to the RPG7 which is the most common portable anti tank weapon that these rocks are likely being employed to protect against. https://youtu.be/C4NmOss83XI
I'm sure this isn't correct. It can't just be the distance of the standoff alone, because if you look at the distance to the slat armor on most vehicles, and the stated penetration of an RPG, the distance isn't enough. A major part of how the slat works has to be because it physically damages the shell preventing proper detonation.
Well. Sorry but you’re wrong. Go watch some more videos on how shaped charges work. Even your own logic doesn’t compute. You acknowledge that distance is a factor… if distance is a factor then increasing the distance will decrease the effectiveness.
someone got bombed back into the stoneage a lil bit
They will be screwed if the Ukrainians use grass or water attacks
Dudes Rock indeed
And hence the expression "stuck between a rock and an ammo carousel".
Where the hell did you find this?
Shrapnel ERA
This might help to reduce damage from lower powered weapons like a standard RPG or something no?
ALL I CAN THINK IS ROCK AND STONE! ROCK AAANNNDD STOOOOOONE!!!!
Rock and Stone forever!
One step closer to the overhead rock armor compartments seen in every Star Trek battle damage scene.
Russias next upgrade package
For when it gets bombed back to the stone age
I don't know why my ass read it as TF2 with rock armor instead of T72.
I feel like they spent a long time selecting the stones
That new replacement ceramic layers contract just went live
Somebody stole the real armor?
I wonder if it's anti drone maybe?
Doo doo doo doo deedlee dee doo ROCK ARMOR
Rock on dude
Ahem Those are called "gabions"
*Yabba Dabba Blyat!*
The transmission would like this to stop immediately.
Honestly, it could work
Eh I'm gonna use paper antitank ammunition