IDF's Trophy active defence system saves tank in combat

ARI78

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IDF armor-defense system foils attack on tank for first time
The Me'il Ruach (Windbreaker) system, marketed abroad under the name Trophy, successfully stopped an antitank missile fired from Gaza.

By Amos Harel


The Israel Defense Forces Armored Corps successfully operated its new armor-defense system for the first time on Tuesday, defending a tank from an antitank missile attack on the Gaza border.

On Tuesday afternoon, an antitank missile was fired at a Merkava 4 tank on the border with the Gaza Strip, near Kibbutz Nir Oz in the western Negev. The tank crew then activated the new defense system, Me'il Ruach (Windbreaker), and successfully foiled the attack.

The "Windbreaker" armor-defense system first made its field debut two months ago, after antitank missiles were seen used by Palestinian militants from Gaza, as well as following a strike on an IDF tank with an antitank missile.

Produced by Rafael, "Windbreaker" is an active armor defense system that is being marketed abroad under the name Trophy. The system employs sensors and radar to identify an incoming missile, and dispatches interceptor missiles which neutralize the hostile weapon before it can strike the tank.

The decision to develop the system followed the experience of the Second Lebanon War, in which a number of tanks were damaged by advanced anti-tank missiles fired by Hezbollah guerrillas.

Several groups in the Gaza Strip are known to hold hundreds of different antitank missiles, and the growing ability of Gaza militants to use these missiles may force the IDF to change its combat doctrine on the Gaza border, in order to reduce its exposure to the antitank missiles.

Quoted from Haaretz dot com (don't have enough posts to place a direct link)
published 20:11 01.03.11
 
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ARI78

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As far as I know, this is tank warfare history - the first time that a tank mounted active defence system has been used in battle.
 

Kilo 2-3

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As far as I know, this is tank warfare history - the first time that a tank mounted active defence system has been used in battle.
According to a quick a quick wiki search, the Soviets deployed the hard-kill Drozd system in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Apparently, it scored some successes versus Muhajedeen RPGs.

Feanor would probably know more about this, assuming it's true.
 

ItsEden

New Member
Yeah i heard bout it .(i live in israel lol).
We just gotta wish that Hamas\Hezbollah will not get the Russian RPG-30 .
Lol.
 
According to a quick a quick wiki search, the Soviets deployed the hard-kill Drozd system in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Apparently, it scored some successes versus Muhajedeen RPGs.

Feanor would probably know more about this, assuming it's true.
Russians made asystem called (Arena E) ,it was ahard kill system..

the RPG30 considered as antitrophy technique....
 

Kilo 2-3

New Member
Russians made asystem called (Arena E) ,it was ahard kill system..

the RPG30 considered as antitrophy technique....
Drozd was the spiritual predecessor to Arena, and to the best of my knowledge, it predated the ARENA both in design and in deployment.
 

ARI78

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Drozd was the spiritual predecessor to Arena, and to the best of my knowledge, it predated the ARENA both in design and in deployment.
Do you know if those systems scored any kills? I am curious as to how efficient the older systems were.

Anyway it looks like Hammas are running QA tests :) The system is now two for two:

Gaza: IDF tank shield intercepts missile
By: Ron Ben-Yishai
'Windbreaker' defense system intercepts missile fire on Merkava 4 tank; IDF responds with artillery fire; Palestinian injured. Hamas: Reaction will be severe if attacks on Gaza continue

Exchanges of fire between IDF soldiers and Palestinians were reported at around noon Sunday near the Al-Bureij refugee camp in Gaza.

During the fighting, Palestinians fired an anti-tank missile at a Merkava 4 tank, which is equipped with the "Windbreaker" defense system. The system intercepted the missile, and IDF forces responded with artillery fire.

Published: 03.20.11, 12:32 / Ynetnews dot com
 
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