Are Russian T-90 Tanks Outsmarting US-Made TOWs?

[Zarvan]

In the battle for Aleppo in Syria where Sunni rebel forces are in retreat is the role played by Russian T-90 tanks which is claimed to be getting better of the Saudi-supplied tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided (TOW) Weapon System.

The TOW anti-tank missiles, made by US firm, Raytheon are understood to have been the main rebel weapons against the Syrian army's T-52 and T-72 tanks and BMP armored vehicles. Sunni militia websites have several photos and videos showing TOW missiles pulverizing the older generation Russian-supplied Syrian tanks.

However, Russia is understood to have supplied the latest generation T-90 tanks which are equipped with reactive armor capable of holding out against the deadly explosive power of the TOW missiles, Russian media reported over the last few days.

In addition, these tanks have sensors which can track the missile the moment it locks on to the tank and take evasive action which includes throwing a smoke screen around the tank or taking electronic counter-measures to jam the lock-on system of the missiles.

The surprisingly agile T-90 tanks can take offensive action by turning and firing at the threat in a matter of seconds.

Some Turkish and Syrian news outlets have reported about T-90 tanks being supplied to Damascus since November 2015. Some images have also surfaced of the T-90 tanks bearing Syrian flags in the thick of battle in Syria.

The offensive by President Bashar al-Assad's regime is understood to have turned the tide against rebels in the north particularly around Aleppo, Syria's largest city, which has been partly controlled by Sauci-backed Sunni rebels since 2012.

Are Russian T-90 Tanks Outsmarting US-Made TOWs?

@Horus @DESERT FIGHTER @Khafee @Dazzler @Bratva @Irfan Baloch @balixd @Nihonjin1051

 

[C130]

if the TOW is hitting the KontaKt-5 ERA I would say yes, but if these rats smarten up they would aim for the sides and rear of a T-90

or the U.S/Saudi Arabia can start giving them the more advance Tow-2B top down attack which can defeat any tank without a APS

 

[phantomrush]

Unfortunately, the "Shtora-1" can not fully protect the tank from the rocket TOW-2. It will make the missile guidance difficult. Although I think it is enough to return fire hit the operator ATRA, prior to entering the tank. All older TOW-2 yes, it will be blocked. Cornet just able to hit the tank. But it is possible that in Cornet are blockers of the defeat of their T-90 tanks.

if the TOW is hitting the KontaKt-5 ERA I would say yes, but if these rats smarten up they would aim for the sides and rear of a T-90

or the U.S/Saudi Arabia can start giving them the more advance Tow-2B top down attack which can defeat any tank without a APS

Each rocket of this complex costs about $ 150 000. Even the Saudis do not have enough money that would provide Rabelo.

 

[C130]

Unfortunately, the "Shtora-1" can not fully protect the tank from the rocket TOW-2. It will make the missile guidance difficult. Although I think it is enough to return fire hit the operator ATRA, prior to entering the tank. All older TOW-2 yes, it will be blocked. Cornet just able to hit the tank. But it is possible that in Cornet are blockers of the defeat of their T-90 tanks.


Each rocket of this complex costs about $ 150 000. Even the Saudis do not have enough money that would provide Rabelo.

Pentagon approves $1.1 billion Raytheon missile sale to Saudi Arabia| Reuters

the Sauds have tens of thousands of TOW-2A and a few thousand TOW-2B

cost isn't a issue

they bought another 14,000 for the Saudi National Guard

Washington to supply 14,000 TOW missiles to the Saudi National Guard | Defense Update:

 

[Stannis Baratheon]

Pentagon approves $1.1 billion Raytheon missile sale to Saudi Arabia| Reuters

the Sauds have tens of thousands of TOW-2A and a few thousand TOW-2B

cost isn't a issue

But the problem is that it can't shoot down fighter jets. Because Russia's air campaign is putting the rebels on the back foot. Unlike the Syrian Army, Russia is using its most advanced ground attack jets to target the rebels. I have seen a few pictures of the Syrian Mig-21 and some of them have seats that are torn-up.

 

[C130]

But the problem is that it can't shoot down fighter jets. Because Russia's air campaign is putting the rebels on the back foot. Unlike the Syrian Army, Russia is using its most advanced ground attack jets to target the rebels. I have seen a few pictures of the Syrian Mig-21 and some of them have seats that are torn-up.

if Saudi Arabia is able to ship in 50 to 100 TOW launchers and 1,000 TOW-2B aero not even Russia Air campaign would be able to stop that

guerrilla strikes with ATGMS would whittle down what is left of Syria/Hezzy armor. you hit then you hide before Russia air can find and kill you.

Russia would have to send in it's own ground forces or double down or even triple down it's air campaign to gain the edge back

 

[phantomrush]

if Saudi Arabia is able to ship in 50 to 100 TOW launchers and 1,000 TOW-2B aero not even Russia Air campaign would be able to stop that

guerrilla strikes with ATGMS would whittle down what is left of Syria/Hezzy armor. you hit then you hide before Russia air can find and kill you.

Russia would have to send in it's own ground forces or double down or even triple down it's air campaign to gain the edge back

You surely have indicated that in addition to the tanks, there is a Russian Air Force. Each TOW-2B will light up on the radar of the Su-34. Although Russian lacks targeting containers, but the Su-34 is quite himself up for these functions. Do not forget, there is in the Air Il-20 that keeps track of all the electronic systems, up to the phone. Therefore TOW-2B will be too easily detectable. This is their problem, they have a radio emission.

Here, in the exercise Center-2011 was one episode. Our special forces have been in the role of a subversive group, the task of which was the attack on the military units.
Here then Russia for its part, raised the Il-20M, just past the modernization of the program "Monitor". Subversive group was quickly discovered.

 

[C130]

You surely have indicated that in addition to the tanks, there is a Russian Air Force. Each TOW-2B will light up on the radar of the Su-34. Although Russian lacks targeting containers, but the Su-34 is quite himself up for these functions. Do not forget, there is in the Air Il-20 that keeps track of all the electronic systems, up to the phone. Therefore TOW-2B will be too easily detectable. This is their problem, they have a radio emission.

how many Su-34 are in Syria and what are the odds that one would be in the same area as the TOW 2 being firing? very slim... same goes for COOT spy plane.

TOW-2B firing would go like this

-identification of enemy vehicle
-firing
-missiles flies for like 5 to 30 seconds
-destruction of vehicle
-TOW-2 disassembled
-TOW-2 firing team leaves in the span of 5 minutes

 

[phantomrush]

how many Su-34 are in Syria and what are the odds that one would be in the same area as the TOW 2 being firing? very slim... same goes for COOT spy plane.

TOW-2B firing would go like this

-identification of enemy vehicle
-firing
-missiles flies for like 5 to 30 seconds
-destruction of vehicle
-TOW-2 disassembled
-TOW-2 firing team leaves in the span of 5 minutes

So in fact TOW-2B task to hit the T-90? Over Latakia always be IL-20 or Su-34. Next to go, yes, dangerous. But I think, after the closure of the border with Turkey, in Syria would be much easier to destroy Rabelo and TOW-2 will not help.

Do not forget that on the T-90 radiation sensors are also cost and as soon as the TOW-2B starts to measure the distance to the tank T-90 immediately shoot in that direction aerosol cloud, at the same time, the computer remember the location of the radiation, will offer the crew a tank hit the target at that point. Shtora-1 is not only the suppression of radiation, it is also a fixation target.

 

[C130]

So in fact TOW-2B task to hit the T-90? Over Latakia always be IL-20 or Su-34. Next to go, yes, dangerous. But I think, after the closure of the border with Turkey, in Syria would be much easier to destroy Rabelo and TOW-2 will not help.

Do not forget that on the T-90 radiation sensors are also cost and as soon as the TOW-2B starts to measure the distance to the tank T-90 immediately shoot in that direction aerosol cloud, at the same time, the computer remember the location of the radiation, will offer the crew a tank hit the target at that point. Shtora-1 is not only the suppression of radiation, it is also a fixation target.

only one way to find out who is right.

 

[phantomrush]

only one way to find out who is right.

Unfortunately, yes.
By the way, you can add to the disadvantages that the tank is not run by the Russian tankers. In the hands of untrained people and the F-22 will be a piece of shit) =

 

[Stannis Baratheon]

if Saudi Arabia is able to ship in 50 to 100 TOW launchers and 1,000 TOW-2B aero not even Russia Air campaign would be able to stop that

guerrilla strikes with ATGMS would whittle down what is left of Syria/Hezzy armor. you hit then you hide before Russia air can find and kill you.

Russia would have to send in it's own ground forces or double down or even triple down it's air campaign to gain the edge back

Weapons need to be stored and Russia would target (they already) weapon storages, military camps, enemy hardpoints such as heavy machine guns, mortars, vehicles, etc. Their main target are not small forces carrying such weapons like ATGM. Also, they can just give the Syrian Army combat and surveillance drones. That will reduce reliance on tanks and will give them a better idea of approaching enemy.

 

[Penguin]

You surely have indicated that in addition to the tanks, there is a Russian Air Force. Each TOW-2B will light up on the radar of the Su-34. Although Russian lacks targeting containers, but the Su-34 is quite himself up for these functions. Do not forget, there is in the Air Il-20 that keeps track of all the electronic systems, up to the phone. Therefore TOW-2B will be too easily detectable. This is their problem, they have a radio emission.

What radio emission? Tow is wire guided: Guidance signals from the guidance computer are transmitted along two wires, which spool from the back of the missile to the control system on the missile. Only if the firing team does not maintain communication silence (use tactical radio or use cell phone) would there be some emission.

 

[T-123456]

Bs,it has more to do with the areal bombing of the Russians,the tank batalions are protected by air.

 

[C130]

Weapons need to be stored and Russia would target (they already) weapon storages, military camps, enemy hardpoints such as heavy machine guns, mortars, vehicles, etc. Their main target are not small forces carrying such weapons like ATGM. Also, they can just give the Syrian Army combat and surveillance drones. That will reduce reliance on tanks and will give them a better idea of approaching enemy.

true but there could be tactics get around this.

you don't put all your eggs in one basket, different grounds could operate two TOW firings posts and 20 missiles each. this would make it harder for Russia to find and bomb them where they are stored.


the point is keep moving and not let Russia find them. shoot and scoot constantly.