I think that a key thing to watch here is the evolution of the radios in FPV drones. There are already reports of the Ukrainians deploying "$40K FPVs" that use higher-frequency, directional, and therefore jam-resistant communications. If the Ukrainians are able to deploy those in significant numbers then the ad-hoc barrage jammers that are carried by these turtle tanks will lose relevance
Great article. Thank you. The one nuance I might add is that the turtle tank itself appears to be principally a method of delivering infantry across the fire swept zone, if you will. The shell is there mainly to protect the infantry riding on top from FPV drones. The Russians are playing with different ways to get their infantry across: speed=motorcyles/ATVs or protection=turtle tank. Deposit the infantry, get a toehold and then dig in. The Ukrainians, with their artillery disadvantage, then have a hard time dislodging them. Rinse, repeat field after field.
Turtle tanks look less adaptive and more a sign of desperation to me. Moscow's officers have largely reverted to WW1 thinking. They're at a dead end. It took Ukrainian soldiers all of a week to work out countermeasures, and that was even before artillery supplies improved. Javelins appear to do for turtle tanks just fine - here again the solution is increased support.
Not giving Ukraine every available resource because it might be needed to handle some other crisis somewhere is the real issue and always has been. Small wonder Putin is sending his rusting fleet on exercises in Cuba and the Pacific. Reflexive control really is a thing...
Rule #1 of modern warfare: what is seen, gets killed. Turtle tanks violate this rule too frequently to be effective.
I think that a key thing to watch here is the evolution of the radios in FPV drones. There are already reports of the Ukrainians deploying "$40K FPVs" that use higher-frequency, directional, and therefore jam-resistant communications. If the Ukrainians are able to deploy those in significant numbers then the ad-hoc barrage jammers that are carried by these turtle tanks will lose relevance
The one that got captured ran over a mine, so perhaps the answer is to rig up a drone which is a flying mine and go for under the tank or tracks...
Both the Ukrainians and Russians are using UGVs and UAVs in this role.
Great article. Thank you. The one nuance I might add is that the turtle tank itself appears to be principally a method of delivering infantry across the fire swept zone, if you will. The shell is there mainly to protect the infantry riding on top from FPV drones. The Russians are playing with different ways to get their infantry across: speed=motorcyles/ATVs or protection=turtle tank. Deposit the infantry, get a toehold and then dig in. The Ukrainians, with their artillery disadvantage, then have a hard time dislodging them. Rinse, repeat field after field.
Turtle tanks look less adaptive and more a sign of desperation to me. Moscow's officers have largely reverted to WW1 thinking. They're at a dead end. It took Ukrainian soldiers all of a week to work out countermeasures, and that was even before artillery supplies improved. Javelins appear to do for turtle tanks just fine - here again the solution is increased support.
Not giving Ukraine every available resource because it might be needed to handle some other crisis somewhere is the real issue and always has been. Small wonder Putin is sending his rusting fleet on exercises in Cuba and the Pacific. Reflexive control really is a thing...
Rule #1 of modern warfare: what is seen, gets killed. Turtle tanks violate this rule too frequently to be effective.