Ukraine's M1 Abrams Tanks Get Soviet Reactive Armor, Anti-Drone Cages

Tired of waiting for US supplies, Ukraine has begun up-armoring its valuable US-manufactured M1A1 Abrams tanks with strong metal anti-drone cages as well as Soviet-designed reactive armor tiles for better protection.

As an example of the adaptive nature of this war, it quickly became apparent that original US and European armor was inadequate to prevent damage by FPV drones. These modifications are the result. JL 

Joseph Trevithick reports in The Drive Warzone:

Ukraine's U.S.-supplied M1A1 Abrams tanks are getting new production-standard anti-drone armor screens, known as "cope cages," on their turrets. Modified Abrams also show additional explosive reactive armor (ERA), modifications that have also been appearing elsewhere in the field. Soviet-designed Kontakt-1 ERA tile arrays have been added to the top, sides and underside of the front of the hull.

Ukraine's U.S.-supplied M1A1 Abrams tanks are getting new production-standard anti-drone armor screens, also commonly known as "cope cages," on their turrets. Pictures of one of the modified Abrams show it has also received additional explosive reactive armor (ERA), modifications that have also been appearing elsewhere in the field.

 

This all comes roughly a month after U.S. officials reportedly said Ukrainian forces had pulled the M1A1s from the front lines, particularly due to concerns about their vulnerability to first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones and other uncrewed aerial threats. The extent to which Ukraine's Abrams tanks have returned to service since then is unclear, but they may well be back in action.

Ukraine-headquartered Metinvest Group, a steel and mining conglomerate, put out a press release about the new armor screens earlier today. The company said that it is also making factory-standard anti-drone armor for Soviet-designed T-64 and T-72 families of tanks (which include the T-80 and T-90 series, respectively), but only showed an example of the design for the Abrams. This is a part of the firm's broader "Steel Front" wartime production initiative, which has also been churning out pre-fabricated protected shelters, body armor, and other kinds of materiel for the Ukrainian armed forces.

Another view of the Abrams with the new Metinvest anti-drone armor screens on its turret. MetinvestThe video player is currently playing an ad. You can skip the ad in 5 sec with a mouse or keyboard

"After a long and thorough procedure of testing and testing, steel screens began to be supplied to the Armed Forces free of charge," according to a machine translation of the release. "So far, more than 25 additional protection systems have been manufactured and delivered, seven of which are for M1 Abrams tanks."

"All drawings of protective screens were made taking into account the specifics of the design features of each type of tank, because additional structures should not only protect against external threats, but at the same time not limit the functionality of the equipment itself, not complicate its operation in combat conditions, not interfere with the fighters," the press release adds. "The total weight of the screen structure is up to 430 kg [approximately 948 pounds]."

From the pictures Metinvest has released of the Abrams equipped with the screen, the array is extensive with a main screen on top of the turret and others around the front, sides, and rear. Some images show an additional screen attached to the rear of the hull.

A picture showing the screen around the rear of the hull. This also has the Steel Front initiative logo at the top right. Metinvest

The full configuration looks to have additional angled sections that close the gaps between the top and the side panels. Very small gaps are left open for the Abrams' side-mounted launchers that are used to fire smoke grenades to help conceal the tank. It is worth noting that FPV drone operators have been proven very adept at using available gaps, even small ones, in armor screens and other defenses to slip in and make attacks.

A close-up of the Metinvest "cope cage" on the Abrams showing the additional connecting sections between the flat screen on top and the side panels. The gap for the smoke grenade launcher is also visible.

Another view of the gap for the smoke grenade launcher. Metinvest

There is definitely a folding panel on top that helps seal the gap over the loader's hatch, but that still allows relatively ready ingress and egress. The commander's hatch has a raised armored structure around it with various windows, but is still open-topped and it is unclear if it can be covered if desired. The are also what may be hinged sections over the blowout panels on top of the rear of the Abrams turret where the ammunition is stored. These offer a way to vent the force of an ammunition explosion, such as one caused by a hit to the tank that causes the rounds to detonate, up and away from the crew.

A top-down look at the gunner hatch and the panel above that folds over it when it is closed. A portion of the additional protection fitted around the commander's hatch is visible to the left. What may be other hinged sections over the blowout panels can be seen at the top of this picture. Metinvest

A look from the top showing the still open-topped commander's hatch. Metinvest

Another good view of the armor screen on top of the M1A1's turret, as well as some of the panels on the right side. What looks like it may be a hinged section is also visible at the rear of the top section. Metinvest

 

"Together with military engineers, we analyzed the areas of military equipment typical for damage by FPV drones, vulnerable places that need to be protected, and developed additional protection structures," Oleksandr Myronenko, Metinvest's Operational Director, said in a statement in the release. "Anti-drone steel screens help not only to protect expensive equipment from damage by the enemy, but also protect the lives of Ukrainian servicemen."

The Abrams with the new anti-drone screen has additional explosive reactive armor (ERA) on top of its arrays of U.S.-standard M19 Abrams Reactive Armor Tiles (ARAT) along the sides of the hull. Four Soviet-designed Kontakt-1 ERA tiles had been added to the fronts of both sides of the hull. Whole arrays have been added to the top and underside of the front of the hull.

A close-up of the tank with the Metinvest armor screens on its turret showing the four additional Kontakt-1 ERA tiles at the front of the right side of the hull, as well as the full arrays on the top and underside of the front of the hull. As Metinvest's press release today makes clear, the main purpose of the new and elaborate factory-made cope cage for the Abrams is to help protect these high-value tanks against FPV kamikaze drones. Highly maneuverable and carrying warheads that detonate on contact, armed uncrewed aerial vehicles of this type have become a near-constant scourge on both sides of the battlefield in Ukraine. FPV types, in particular, are now talked about as being on par with artillery in terms of battlefield significance. Russia has also steadily challenged Ukraine's initial dominance in this field, as well. beyond Ukraine, layers of active and passive defenses look set to increasingly be the norm for protection tanks and other heavy armored vehicles against the very real threats that drones pose.