T-14 Armata

[Fisherking]

The Russians claim they are using an active protection system against incoming projectiles which makes the tank unable to be hit.

Israel has fielded or is fielding a system like what the Russians claim to have. I can’t tell you much about it but you can assume everyone will be mounting them in a few years as an add-on. But the Russians claim that theirs can also stop inert rounds like Sabot.

The Russian reliance on autoloaders has mostly been because of larger ammo. It took around 3 seconds to load aim and fire a 105mm gun but twice as long for the 120mm, due in part to the weight of the rounds. The draw back is in round selection. You have more difficulty with the number of types of rounds you can fire. The currently proposed M-1A3 has an autoloader, similar to the French model. However, each crewman you eliminate makes keeping the tank functional and providing local security exponentially more difficult. How much sensors can alleviate the problem is still up in the air.

There is a lot about the T-14 that could pose difficulties for Western Nations if it works as advertised. If nothing else, it should shake the US out of its complacency and ambivalence toward Armor and perhaps convince the European Nations to increase that combat arm.

Also, on HEAT ammunition, the Russians have moved toward EFP and MEFP rounds. (Explosively Formed Penetrators) They seem to have a better effect in dealing with advanced armour and reactive armour. HEAT has become pretty much useless in dealing with the ceramic and copper sandwiched in more advanced armours.