ERA discussion

[tankme]

Created a separate thread to discuss the ERA question Doc asked.

There are all kinds of ERA (explosive reactive armor). ERA from different countries can differ in it's composition and effectiveness. ERA is used to artificially increase the effective armor thickness. Earlier versions were effective against single penetrator rounds, but most systems have now evolved to have some effectiveness against dual penetrators and some ATGM rounds. ERA is generally used to save weight and can be added to older vehicles to improve armor effectiveness without having to re-engineer the vehicle.

Russian types are typically called Kontakt. Kontakt-1 and Kontakt-5 are the primary types with a new 4th gen ERA system called Monolith on the Armata series of vehicles. Relikt ERA is also used on some tanks and is said to be an improved version of Kontakt-5.

US SEP packages (v1, v2, and now v3) on the Abrams are not ERA. SEP is a "Systems Enhancement Program" which encompasses a specific package of upgrades. SEP could be anything except TUSK. TUSK is an separate add on package (ERA, add on armor, and some countermeasures) for the urban environment which also has ERA. There are two TUSK ERA kits, one has just the ERA blocks and the TUSK2 has the ERA and additional ceramic plates added. It can be removed or added in the field depending on the theater of operations. Not all parts need to be added for every situation. SEP is not removed as they are permanent additions to the tank installed at the depot level.

Ukraine uses Nizh which is their version of ERA. Nizh-1M is their 1st gen, Nizh-LM is their 2nd gen, and Duplet-2M is their 3rd gen version.

Those are versions of which I'm most familiar.

[tankme]

Chinese ERA is thought to be very similar to Russian ERA, but since the CCCP is so closed it's hard to get great information:

There are at least three types of NORINCO ERA. The Type I weighs 100 kg/cm2 with steel plates 13 mm thick. This is claimed to reduce the armour penetration of a single HEAT warhead by over 70 per cent.

The Type II weighs 200 kg/cm2 with the steel plates 26 mm thick. This is claimed to reduce the armour penetration of a single HEAT warhead by over 70 per cent and KE penetration by over 30 per cent.

Finally, the Type III weighs 250 kg/cm2 and uses steel plates 32.5 mm thick. This is claimed to reduce the armour penetration of a single HEAT or tandem warhead by over 70 per cent.

The ERA is only initiated by a HEAT warhead or a large calibre KE warhead. It will not be initiated by fire, gas cutting or sympathetic detonation.

According to NORINCO, the main advantages of their family of ERA armour systems can be summarised as a high level of protection, lightweight, simple structure and manufacturing technology, low cost, easy installation and boxes can be quickly replaced under field conditions.

[tankme]

British TES isn't exclusively ERA. Like the TUSK add-on package, TES is an add-on package that can be added in the field.

The most important feature of the Challenger 2 TES Megatron is the use of a new armor that consists of a mix of the standard Chobham (this is called Dorchester in the UK) composite armor, reactive, passive, and bar armor. The front of the hull is fitted with a Chobham armor block. The side of the hull and the turret are fitted with explosive reactive armor which consists in a series of layers offering maximum protection to the crew fighting compartment and ammunition stowage, against both kinetic energy rounds and modern ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles) completed by cage armor to provide more protection against RPGs (Rocket Propelled Grenades) threats. The rear part of the turret and the hull are also fitted with cage armor.

[BarryC]

Very informative sir!

Barry

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Thank you all. I have seen information on some types of ERA, but there is more information here than I had heretofore seen. (Wow! "heretofore": now that's a moldy oldie.) I'm reading it all and will read again and again. I also picked up David Doyle's book on the Abrams, as he said there is some information in there on some of the ancillary systems (e.g. SEP 1).

Doyle, David. M1 Abrams. Pen and Sword Military, 2019. ISBN 978 1 52673 877 6.

[tankme]

I have quite a few books from David Doyle on various vehicles. They are decent and have lots of pics or tanks in the wild.

[Meter rat]

Tank me.
Thank you for the expansive information. I was aware of the how’s and why’s of it all, but I would not have been able to articulate the information so well due to dyslexia.

[tankme]

As an expansion to the SEP explanation, I found this in open sources:

The M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP V1) was introduced as part of a continuous upgrade path for M1A2 tanks. The kit introduced an armor enhancement in the form of a monolithic and composite armor, and compartmented storage for fuel and ammunition. The turbine engine was improved, to become true multi-fuel system. It uses digital control for optimal operation. The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) was moved under armor, protecting the tank’s power supply when at static positions. To clarify what this last sentence means - the big square box in the Abrams bustle is the APU.

The tank is fitted with second generation thermal imaging systems for the commander’s independent viewer (CITV) and gunner. The sight uses 2nd generation FLIR and is fully stabilized, enabling fire on the move capability in day or night. The driver has a wide-field-of-view thermal driver vision enhancer (DVE) for driving and situational awareness. Vetronics systems include enhanced GPS and inertial position/navigation system, driving a color, digital terrain map display. The tank also received an eyesafe laser rangefinder. Radios include SINCGARS and Enhanced Position/Location Reporting System (EPLRS) supporting tactical situational picture via the FBCB2 system. Systems on board are integrated via digital databus architecture. To improve maintenance, the tank is equipped with on-board malfunction detection system. Other elements in the SEP V1 program includes Pulse Jet Air System (PJS) enabling self-cleaning of the engine air filters, thermal management system In November and December 2006 The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command awarded GDLS several contracts worth over US$800 million for M1A2SEP reset work, starting 2007 through 2009.

The M1A2 SEPv2 is currently fielded.

- It upgrades the M1A2 SEP by providing increased memory and processor speeds; full color tactical display; digital map capability; compatibility with the Army Technical Architecture; improved target detection, recognition, and identification through incorporation of second-generation Forward Looking Infrared technology and electronics; and crew compartment cooling through the addition of a thermal management system (sits where the old APU used to sit in the bustle rack).

- The Army integrated M153A1E1 Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS)-Low Profile (LP) into the M1A2 SEPv2. The CROWS-LP incorporates upgraded software and addresses visibility concerns associated with the M153 CROWS II by relocating the sights and laser range finder to the side of the weapon and ammunition box rather than under the weapon. This reduces the system height by 10 inches.

M1A2 SEPv3 fielding is planned for FY20. The M1A2 SEPv3 is an upgrade to the M1A2 SEPv2.

The upgrades include the following:

- Power generation and distribution to support the power demands of future technologies.
- Network compatibility.
- Survivability against multiple threats by incorporating NEA, a new underbody IED kit, and other vulnerability reduction measures to reduce the tank’s vulnerability to IEDs. These measures include redesigned crew seating, additional floor stiffeners, hardware to provide lower limb protection, and changes in the material and dimensions of internal structural supports.
- Lethality by providing the ability for the fire control system to digitally communicate with the new large caliber ammunition through use of an
ammunition datalink.
- Energy efficiency (sustainment) due to the incorporation of an auxiliary power unit.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

This thread is getting usefully informative. I wonder if it belongs in the "Other Reference" section: viewforum.php?f=78