Armed Forces of Ukraine have deployed U.S.-made M2A2 Bradley ODS-SA vehicles with the new Tower 1 anti-drone armor, designed by domestic engineers at Iron Nuts.
Several vehicles in the 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are already fitted with components of this system. A prototype of a new Tower 2 version reportedly exists, although developers are currently unable to display it publicly.
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According to an Iron Nuts representative, the installed protection has already been used in combat and repeatedly proven effective against shaped-charge attacks. The system has been continuously refined and will continue to undergo improvements.
The armor design combines a rigid frame with flexible mesh screens. This configuration not only reduces the penetration capability of shaped-charge munitions but also increases the likelihood of deflecting incoming rounds from their initial trajectory.
Information about Iron Nuts' additional protection first emerged in September 2024, although only images of the design were initially available. The final configuration differs from these early concepts, likely reflecting iterative improvements based on practical battlefield experience.
It should be noted that the M2A2 Bradley already offers solid protection and high survivability, as demonstrated in previous conflicts and confirmed by its operational use with Ukrainian forces. However, the vehicle was originally designed during the Cold War, and despite all upgrades, it still has vulnerabilities to strike drones. Additional protective systems help mitigate these gaps.
Purpose-built armor solutions are more effective than improvised "grill" armor often seen on the battlefield. Similar systems are also being fitted to Ukrainian tanks, other armored vehicles, and even Caesar self-propelled artillery systems.
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