The US Army has announced significant plans to enhance the passive protection capabilities of its tracked armored vehicles, spurred by insights gained from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
According to a recent budget assessment document for fiscal year 2026, the Army aims to procure 1,500 additional sets of passive top hemisphere protection systems, known as ‘Top Attack Protection’ (TAP).
These systems are intended to shield vulnerable areas of combat vehicles from threats originating above, which have been highlighted as significant risks in modern warfare.
While the exact design of the TAP system remains unspecified in the documents, it is speculated that it will share similarities with the metal grids and nets previously employed in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The TAP system is described as a passive enhancement to conventional vehicle armor, strategically installed over crew compartments and hatches.
This approach aims to work in conjunction with the basic armor of the vehicles to mitigate damage from high-explosive and fragmentation projectiles, providing a crucial layer of protection against overhead threats.
The Justification Book notes that the quantity of TAP systems assigned to each platform varies based on the vehicle’s existing armor and the positioning of crew compartments.
This modular design allows for installation similar to dynamic protection kits, facilitating a more flexible approach rather than relying on a single, monolithic structure.
The TAP kits are poised for installation on all combat vehicles, with initial focus on those categorized in the highest risk groups, such as Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.
These vehicles are known for their frontline deployment and are frequently exposed to enemy fire.
In terms of funding, the Army has allocated approximately $92 million for the installation of TAP kits on 1,528 vehicles, which is part of a broader $107 million Vehicle Protection System (VPS) initiative.
This comprehensive package also includes investments in Laser Warning Receivers (LWR) and Signature Management Paint (SMP).
The Army anticipates awarding contracts for these enhancements no earlier than April 2026, with the initial deliveries expected by November 2027.
Retired Army Major Michael Liscano Jr., who formerly managed development for the Abrams tanks and Bradley vehicles, emphasized the critical need for such upgrades.
He highlighted that, to date, no tank—including the M1 Abrams—offers adequate passive armor protection against modern threats targeting the upper hemisphere.
The conflict in Ukraine has underscored the vulnerability of contemporary third-generation tanks to drone strikes, pointing to a pressing need for improvements in defensive systems.
An illustrative incident involved a Ukrainian Abrams tank that endured multiple drone hits in rapid succession while engaged on the battlefield.
The tank commander from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Magura” recounted the harrowing experience where his vehicle was struck twice within just two minutes.
Despite this intense barrage, all crew members survived and managed to return to their positions without severe injuries.
The tank commander provided a detailed account, revealing that his vehicle faced several drone strikes within the brief time frame, yet the protective measures in place helped mitigate the damage.
He noted that at least one of the incoming projectiles might have been intercepted by their netting system, contributing to their survival.
Furthermore, he remarked on the importance of the advanced design of the Abrams, which incorporates separate armor layers and knockout panels that helped protect the crew from harm.
Without the additional dynamic protection and nets atop the turret, he firmly believed that the outcome would have been dire.
This real-world application and the experiences of the crew highlight the necessity for continued development and implementation of enhanced protective measures in armored vehicle technology.
image source from：militarnyi
