Switchblade 600 drone exposes vulnerabilities of russian T‑90M
Russian T-90M tanks remain a rare presence in the Russian arsenal despite increased production, and Ukrainians prioritise each identified machine. Here is the outcome of a clash between the T-90M and the "Flying Javelin," the Switchblade 600 drone.
The Russians have currently lost at least 117 T-90M tanks (units confirmed by photos or recordings). Still, realistically, there may be more losses, as not all destructions are captured in photos or videos. The most recent case, likely destroyed by a Switchblade 600 drone, occurred well behind the front line.
This is indicated by the commander positioned above the hatch, observing the surrounding area. Such behaviour was typical only deep in the rear, where there was no enemy presence. It is worth noting that the ability to observe the terrain from inside the tank is very limited; hence, this behaviour was normal in a safe zone.
However, in the era when drones could attack targets tens of kilometres behind enemy lines, such behaviour is unjustified, as an attack could occur even there. Below, you can see such an impact, culminating in the detonation of the ammunition storage in the hull, leading to a massive explosion.
Switchblade 600 - "Flying Javelin"
The Switchblade 600 is a 15 kilogram drone designed to attack armoured vehicles or groups of infantry. It is launched from a launcher resembling a 190 mm mortar, and the set weighs around 30 kilograms.
These characteristics provide a maximum range of roughly 90 kilometres, but control is maintained for over 40 kilometres, with a flight autonomy of over 40 minutes. The drone carries a dual-function combat warhead, similar to the famed FGM-148 Javelin, capable of defeating even the best Russian tanks, such as the T-90M, T-72B3M, or T-80BWM.
The Switchblade 600 attacks its targets by diving and hitting the upper armour. The double cumulative warhead, capable of burning through several centimetres of steel armour, easily handles makeshift covers or reactive armour blocks. An alternative mode of operation involves the warhead exploding in the air and showering the area with fragments.
T-90M tank - fundamentally flawed pinnacle of Russian armoured thought
The T-90M tanks, introduced into service in 2021, are an evolution of the T-90A tank, which was essentially a deep modernisation of the T-72B tank created towards the end of the Soviet 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 an enhanced fire control system, a thermal camera from France (now replaced with solutions from other sources), and two-layer Relikt reactive armour. Besides protection against tandem cumulative warheads, it is also supposed to provide partial protection against kinetic penetrators fired from other tanks. Additionally, a more powerful 1,250 horsepower engine has been implemented to compensate for the increased weight of 53 tonnes.
It should be noted, however, that this is just an overlay on the old armour, not covering it 100% tightly, which FPV drone pilots exploit by targeting these weak points. It is also worth mentioning that the tanks' roofs were not designed to withstand anything stronger than anti-tank bomblets from cluster munitions, which can burn through at most about 20 centimetres of steel armour.
However, the main flaw of post-Soviet machines, 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 in any way, so any damage to the shells or charges inside guarantees a spectacular explosion, often resulting in the turret being blown off.
