New UKBTM ERA mounting patent

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UKBTM continues to develop more designs to provide MBTs with additional side protection against shaped charges. One of the more well-known protective measures was integrating soft-bag ERA on T-72B3 and T-80BVM MBTs. The bags would contain shaped moulds which held the ERA slabs in a fixed position.

As of 2023, UKBTM has publicly released a new patent for one of their new design approaches to provide MBTs with more side protection. The design still follows the same concept as soft-bag ERA but now utilizes a steel case container to hold the ERA in place. 


Image 1

The entire package is mounted to the top ledge of the side skirts using 2 clamps. The ERA container is attached to a holding plate which serves 2 purposes. As depicted in Image 2, the mount can swing up and down, allowing the container to be lifted on a fixed axis. 
Image 3 (diagram 2) shows 3 variable mounting angles based on the mounting line. This directly represents the front side skirt segment on T-72B3M, T-80BVM and T-90M MBTs, which all have sloped side skirt ledges. 


Depiction of how the brackets would mount depending on ledge slope and how the container has to be adjusted using fixation holes. 
Image 2 

Image 3 

Overall the package is well made, having adjustable mounting angles allowing complete side coverage. It is worth pointing out that the steel containers are more robust when compared to the soft-bag ERA. The total weight of the package, including ERA slabs, is unknown. Considering the number of steel containers and their total volume, it can be assumed that the package would exceed its predecessor in weight. It is difficult to judge how such a package would affect the ability to traverse areas with minimal space for manoeuvring due to the wider profile of a vehicle fielding such a package. 
It is also interesting how fast the package can be serviced; by inserting ERA slabs, mounting the brackets, attaching the container, or even entirely replacing a damaged or spent container.   

References: 

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