The proliferation of active protection systems (APS) on armored vehicles is one of the main challenges facing armies today on the battlefield, and this technology effectively neutralizes the threat of many older anti-tank missiles.
The industry is now looking at how armies can gain the upper hand again using anti-tank missile technology, including systems that use electromagnetic pulse (EMP) warheads that can disable vehicle electronics and render active defense systems useless.
One of the companies working on such a concept is the German TDW.
Currently, TDW continues to develop an electromagnetic warhead intended for electronic suppression and weakening of enemy tanks equipped with active protection systems.
The weak point of active protection systems is their dependence on sensors designed to detect and destroy incoming missiles. At the same time, the sensors themselves are susceptible to interference and electromagnetic impulses.
TDW's solution is an all-in-one missile that uses an electromagnetic pulse to first disable sensors and electronics and then hit the tank, destroying it with a conventional warhead.
The EMP warhead uses a unique system with an antenna, RF source and capacitors. It can be integrated into missiles of different sizes.
The main feature of the warhead is an explosive magnetic generator, which converts the energy of an explosive into a powerful electromagnetic pulse.
According to a TDW representative, prototypes of the system were developed and tested.
Despite significant interest in this technology, the company is still looking for an initial client to fully develop the warhead.
“We have prototypes and we've done some testing… there are a few more steps we need to take before we get a fully finished EMP warhead,” a company spokesman said. "The further development of the warhead is up to the customer … Development is currently funded by TDW … this could push development to a certain level, and then the final development will be done for specific customers."
While TDW warheads are sold all over the world, European countries have shown particular interest, worried about the apparent progress of active protection systems that are being installed on new Russian tanks ("Armata").
“When you look at the capabilities of Russia, there is a new threat from the development of Russian tanks, and we had great interest here (Eurosatory 2018) from European delegations,” said a spokesman.
A source.
