I seem to remember a few +months back I believe someone (Don?) asked a question concerning smoke grenades for tanks and their effectiveness. I think the question was settled as I recall relating to coverage area and range. Below is the info as it applies to the
VARTA system as equipped on the OPLOT. This will either reinforce the answers given then (To include mine.) or cause maybe a closer look and slight adjustment. Key points are highlighted.
http://www.morozov.com.ua/eng/index.php
SPECIAL PROTECTION MEANS
Optronic countermeasures system
To improve the tank protectability, the
Varta optronic countermeasure system is integrated in the tank.
The optronic countermeasure system provides:
•confusing of the guidance systems of ATGM by putting out laser jamming covering the horizontal plane of ±18° relative to the main gun tube and ±2° in the vertical plane
•jamming of the ATGM guidance systems that use laser illumination of targets, semi-automatic laser guided homing projectiles as well as artillery systems equipped with laser range-finders by activating the remote fast-deploying aerosol screens in a sector of ±45° relative to the main gun tube
Optronic jamming station
Time of readiness 6 h (unlimited in combat conditions)
Time of uninterrupted operation 6 (в боевых условиях не ограниченно)
Sector of setting the light interferences relatively the gun:
in elevation ±2 degrees
in azimuth (relative to the gun barrel axis) ±20 degrees
Aerosol screen laying system
Mode of operation automatic, semiautomatic, manual
System reaction time in auto mode less than 0.5 s
Coverage sector by four laser emitters:
in azimuth 360 dg
in elevation -5 to +25 dg
Qty of launchers 12
Grenade caliber 80 mm
Screen laying range at least 50 m
Applicable grenade:
time for laying the screen not more than 3 s
average area covered by a grenade 10x15 m
effective screen duration time 60 s
A little news...
1. As the picture shows the MERKAVA tank deal for Columbia is now dead. Columbia was to have been the first export customer for the MERKAVA.
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...rica&Itemid=58
2. Indonesia's LEO deal with the Dutch has ended as well. However the LEO A6 is the MBT of choice. It should be somewhat easy to figure out where they are getting them from, if not it'll be on the Patch Post.
3. TROPHYS all around!! Well if your a MERKAVA. They are actually moving at a rapid pace to get them installed on all their MBTs. B)The next is more see what happens when "Can't we all just get along?". C) A little something about a pulse cannon.
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...asia&Itemid=56
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...asia&Itemid=56
http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_...n_1307124.html
4. Well the next isn't the best image I've seen of the ARJUM MKII, hopefuly it'll go up from here. Evaluations are on going as of late June/early July.
http://www.armyrecognition.com/augus...a_1808124.html
Have a great weekend!!
Regards,
Pat