Anti-drone protection cages are a type of equipment invented during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Russian army has deployed this device on hundreds of light, transport and armored combat vehicles operating on the Ukrainian battlefield. And most recently, the first images show that Russia’s Delta-IV class nuclear submarine is also equipped with such protective cages.
This appearance further proves that small, cheap drones can cause tens of millions of dollars in damage and make even military powers like Russia afraid. Despite being equipped with cages, warships and submarines remain vulnerable to drone attacks and there appears to be no effective defense against them.
The submarine in question is the Tula, a Russian nuclear submarine belonging to the Northern Fleet. The video captured the submarine operating at the port of Gadzhievo in Russia’s remote northern Murmansk region. The grille was mounted directly above the command hatch, from which officers observed the surroundings by visual and electro-optical means when the submarine surfaced.
Cage armor is arranged on Russian submarines.
The question arises
Military observers have asked many questions: What effect does the cage have on the submarine’s ability to operate? Can the cage’s structure withstand the pressure of seawater at great depths? Or will the cage be removed before the submarine dives? If so, the cage can be designed to be easily deployed or retracted.
The role of similar cages equipped on land warfare vehicles is familiar to us, but it can have a completely different purpose when installed on submarines. Some experts believe that this may be a type of roof to protect surrounding surveillance officers when the submarine surfaces.
From the reality of the conflict in Ukraine, when they first appeared, protective cages were ridiculed and thought to be worthless. However, up to now, both warring sides have deployed protective cages on many of their combat vehicles.
The idea even spread to Israel, where the first Merkava tanks with cages on the turret appeared almost a month after the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
At one of the recent military exhibitions in Moscow, the Russian Ministry of Defense also displayed a series of armored combat and transport vehicles with mass-produced cage structures. This shows that anti-UAV cages are becoming increasingly popular and are an effective countermeasure on the battlefield.
Countermeasure cage on Russian tank.
What is a coping cage?
A countermeasure cage is a protective measure designed to counter threats from anti-tank weapons and drones. It acts as a physical barrier, disrupting the trajectory or detonation mechanism of the incoming weapon.
Cage armor is usually made of steel, arranged in a grid around the protected area. When a drone drops an anti-tank weapon, the cage armor will prematurely detonate the warhead, limiting the ability to penetrate the main armor on the protected vehicle, thereby significantly reducing the weapon’s effectiveness. .
Furthermore, cage armor can cause incoming warheads to change direction, reducing its kinetic energy and penetration ability. This is especially effective against shaped charge warheads, which rely on a concentrated explosive beam to penetrate armor.
Cage armor is also considered a simple and lightweight protection option for tanks, transport vehicles and even submarines, because its light weight will have little effect on the maneuverability of combat vehicles. fight. This is important in modern warfare, where speed and maneuverability are often the deciding factors in engagements.
However, it’s important to note that cage armor is not a perfect solution. Advanced anti-tank weapons and drone technology are capable of overcoming these defenses. Therefore, it is often used in combination with other defense measures such as active protection systems and electronic warfare systems to provide multi-layered defense against drone attacks. drive.
Tula submarine project
The Tula Delta-IV class submarine, also known as Project 667BDRM Delfin, is a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine built and operated by the Soviet Navy and later the Russian Navy. This is one of the most advanced submarine classes in the Russian fleet, designed for strategic deterrence and capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads.
The Tula submarine has a submerged displacement of about 18,200 tons and a floating displacement of about 11,700 tons. This makes it one of the world’s largest classes of submarines in active service. The ship has a length of about 167 meters, a width of 11.7 meters and a draft of 8.8 meters.
In terms of technical characteristics, the Tula submarine is equipped with a sonar system, electronic warfare system and advanced navigation system. It has a maximum speed of 24 knots when submerged and 14 knots when surfaced. The submarine can dive to a maximum depth of 400 meters and has an operating period of 80 days.
The Tula submarine requires a crew of about 135 people to operate, including commanding officers, warrant officers and conscripts. The crew is responsible for all aspects of the submarine’s operations, including navigation, weapons control, and maintenance.
The propulsion system of the Tula submarine uses nuclear fuel, including 2 VM-4 pressurized water reactors and 2 steam turbines driving 2 shafts. This allows submarines to stay underwater for long periods of time and travel long distances without refueling.
In terms of weapons, the Tula submarine is equipped with a variety of heavy weapons, including 16 R-29RMU Sineva ballistic missiles, each capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. In addition, it is also equipped with four 533 mm torpedo tubes and carries a variety of torpedoes and anti-ship missiles for self-defense.
Russian submarine Tula Delta-IV.
Speculations
Many people are still wondering, what is the purpose of the anti-drone net on the submarine stationed at Gadzhievo? Because the ship is far from conflict zones in Ukraine and certainly out of reach of Ukrainian long-range drones.
We have seen Ukrainian special forces carry out successful sabotage operations in Russia using short-range armed drones. But these forces have only expanded their operations as far as the Pskov region of Russia, still hundreds of kilometers from Murmansk.
Some experts believe that the exposed command tower of a submarine, especially the tower carrying strategic nuclear ballistic missiles, will be an attractive target for drone attacks.
Furthermore, submarines are vulnerable when they are on the surface, when entering or leaving port, and when moving through busy sea lanes.
In addition, submarines’ maneuverability and close-range defense systems are much more limited than surface warships, so they need additional protection measures, especially in current combat conditions. modern era.
