Two video materials simultaneously appeared in open access raising topic of improvised protection on M1A1 tanks in Armed Forces service. Specifically there is episode where one of these MBTs withstood hits from as many as 20 enemy FPV drones, underscoring simultaneously high survivability level of this vehicle and quality of improvised protection solutions.
Against this backdrop, logical question arises whether Abrams and other tanks have perspective given drone dominance on battlefield. Picture further will look as follows.
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Specifically, Ukrainian media Hromadske took interview from tankers of 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelia. Specifically in this video material, episode is mentioned where one of Abrams withstood hits from 20 enemy FPV drones, considering this vehicle was additionally covered with cage armor and active protection blocks. Although hedgehog protection is recognized as even more effective in terms of tank survivability
Regarding M1A1 Abrams use advisability — besides combination of mobility and firepower, and specifically firing accuracy, tank employment on battlefield enables minimizing infantry use during assault operations.
Even if under current combat conditions even one tank outing onto battlefield needs two weeks of planning, and timing must be selected considering weather to reduce rashists' capability to employ strike drones.
Worth noting material from Armia Media portal, whose journalists filmed one of tank crews from 225th Separate Assault Regiment. There Abrams already has hedgehog-type protection, which, as stated, is quite effective against fiber-optic drones: drone cable tears on steel spikes, loses control and falls.
At same time, as one can notice from video footage, hedgehog is welded quite ergonomically, providing turret access, and design itself does not appear to limit tank mobility.
In above-mentioned Hromadske material, one of interviewees expresses confidence that if they manage to find some asymmetric solution, tanks will be able to return their dominant role on battlefield.
But we can note another point: very fact of improvised solutions in various variations, specifically on Abrams, already somewhat extends tank's life on modern battlefield.
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