In 2003, the US military acquired four T-84 main battle tanks from Ukraine for testing and evaluation.
They were shocked to discover that the M829A2 120mm DU APFSDS of the M1 Abrams couldn't penetrate the hull armor of the T-84 when its covered with the Kontakt-5 ERA.
They were shocked to discover that the M829A2 120mm DU APFSDS of the M1 Abrams couldn't penetrate the hull armor of the T-84 when its covered with the Kontakt-5 ERA.
"but wasn't the M829A2 already designed to defeat the Kontakt-5?"
During the development of the M829A2 in the early 1990s, the US was only able to test the new round using T-72M1, T-72A and T-72B tanks equipped with the Kontakt-5 as well as a single T-80U mod. 1989 from the UK.
During the development of the M829A2 in the early 1990s, the US was only able to test the new round using T-72M1, T-72A and T-72B tanks equipped with the Kontakt-5 as well as a single T-80U mod. 1989 from the UK.
Due to their limited samples of Soviet armor, the US military had no idea if the M829A2 would also be effective against older Russian main battle tanks when they're equipped with the Kontakt-5.
It was this shocking revelation that caused the US Army to rapidly develop and introduce the M829A3 DU APFSDS in 2003.
Way before the introduction of the T-90A in 2004.
And way before the introduction of the Relikt ERA in 2006.
Way before the introduction of the T-90A in 2004.
And way before the introduction of the Relikt ERA in 2006.
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