Russian T‑90M tank meets its match with Ukraine's drone attack
Despite increased production, Russian T-90M tanks are still scarce in the Russian arsenal, and Ukrainians consider each identified tank a high-priority target. Here is the outcome of an encounter between the T-90M and the "Flying Javelin," the Switchblade 600 drone.
Russians have currently lost at least 117 T-90M tanks (units confirmed by photos or recordings), but the real number may be higher since not all instances of destruction are documented. The latest case, likely destroyed by a Switchblade 600 drone, occurred behind the front line.
This is indicated by the commander standing above the hatch observing the surrounding area. Such behavior was typically seen only deep in the rear, where no enemy was present. It's worth noting that the ability to observe the terrain inside the tank is very limited, so this behavior was common in what was considered a safe zone.
However, in the era of drones capable of attacking targets miles behind enemy lines, such behavior is no longer justifiable, as attacks can occur even there. Below, you can see the impact of the detonation of the ammunition storage in the hull, which led to a massive explosion.
Switchblade 600 - "Flying Javelin"
The Switchblade 600 is a 33-lb drone designed to attack armored vehicles or infantry groups. It is launched from a launcher resembling a 7.5-inch mortar, bringing the total set weight to about 65 lbs.
These properties allow a maximum range of up to 56 miles, but control is maintained for over 25 miles, with a flight autonomy of over 40 minutes. The drone carries a dual-function combat warhead similar to the renowned FGM-148 Javelin, capable of taking down top Russian tanks like the T-90M, T-72B3M, or T-80BWM.
The Switchblade 600 attacks targets by diving and hitting the upper armor; its double cumulative warhead can easily penetrate several inches of steel armor, handling makeshift covers or reactive armor blocks. An alternative mode of the warhead involves exploding in the air and showering the area with fragments.
T-90M Tank - Fundamentally flawed pinnacle of Russian armored thought
The T-90M tanks, introduced into service in 2021, are an evolution of the T-90A tank, which was a deep modernization of the T-72B tank developed at the end of the USSR era. Vladimir Putin repeatedly praised the T-90 M during Russian arms fairs as the best tank in the world.
In practice, however, it is a revamped T-72B with enhancements including a fire control system with a thermal camera from France (now replaced with solutions from other sources) and two-layer Relikt reactive armor. Besides protection against tandem cumulative warheads, this is also supposed to offer partial protection against kinetic penetrators from other tanks. Additionally, a more powerful 1,250 HP engine compensates for the increased weight of 53 tons.
It should be noted, however, that this is merely an overlay on the old armor and does not completely cover it, which FPV drone pilots exploit by targeting these weak points. It's also important to note that the tank's roof was not designed to withstand anything stronger than anti-tank bomblets from cluster munitions, which can penetrate at most about 8 inches of steel armor.
The main flaw of post-Soviet tanks, namely the automatic loader with a hull-stored magazine holding a full set of 22 shells and propellant charges, remains unchanged. Two of the three crew members sit atop it, and it is not isolated, so any damage to the shells or charges inside guarantees a spectacular explosion with the turret being blown off.
