Ukrainian brigade bolsters Abrams tanks with Soviet-style armor

The Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade, renowned for its daring operations, unveiled their M1A1 Abrams tank. This specific variant, in addition to the TUSK reactive armor package, features Soviet-style Kontakt-1 reactive armor tiles. Here’s why these modifications were made and what advantages they offer.

For a significant period, the 47th Brigade, alongside other units, defended key regions, initially near Avdiivka and later extending westward to Pokrovsk. They gained a reputation for bold raids on Russian positions using M2A2 Bradley ODS infantry fighting vehicles and M1A1 Abrams tanks.

These vehicles were adapted to the unique conditions of the Ukrainian theater of operations, overcoming initial challenges. This adaptation includes the installation of drone jammers and a significant number of Kontakt-1 reactive armor tiles on areas not covered by the American ARAT tiles.

While Ukrainians have praised the Abrams for its formidable weaponry, advanced fire control system (FCS), and effective ammunition isolation, there has been some criticism regarding its vulnerability to FPV drones.

Although the Abrams doesn’t explode like Russian tanks even when hit in the ammunition area, there were occasions where units were lost. To address this, the Ukrainians mounted Kontakt-1 reactive armor tiles on exposed parts of the tank not protected by the reactive armor ARAT included in the TUSK package.

K-1 tiles were strategically placed across various parts of the tank, from the drone-vulnerable upper front plate to the front and sides of the turret and hull. Additionally, these tiles—which contain around 9 ounces of a potent explosive charge—were even fitted on the turret roof and, unusually, on the gunner’s sight.

In such situations, a K-1 tile detonation is likely to damage the FCS, effectively blinding the tank. Although K-1 tiles are difficult to detonate, a 30 mm caliber cannon could potentially activate them, unlike a 14.5x114 mm caliber rifle.

It's important to note that this armor significantly enhances resistance to FPV and Lancet-3 drone strikes but also substantially increases the tank’s weight. The M1A1 Abrams typically weighs around 77 tons, and the addition of Kontakt-1 armor can add over 2 tons. For comparison, T-72 tanks with Kontakt-1 tiles add about 1.3 tons, and the larger Abrams requires a special mounting frame.

This results in overloading and accelerated wear of the suspension and engine, leading to more frequent maintenance issues. Furthermore, it remains unclear how the Ukrainian modifications affect the Abrams' blowout ammunition compartment system, which, in the event of ammunition ignition, is designed to expel damaged compartment sections outward.