The ongoing war in Ukraine has become a symbol of the triumph of advanced Western weaponry over Soviet-era solutions.
A Plume of White Smoke
A prime example is the effective use of FGM-148 Javelin missile launchers, which have proven instrumental in destroying modern Russian armored vehicles, such as the T-72B3, according to WP.
In a recent incident, soldiers from the Kara-Dag Brigade utilized the Javelin system to eliminate a T-72B3 equipped with a thermal imaging fire control system. Footage shows the missile's trajectory and its subsequent dive, striking the tank's upper armor.
Within seconds of impact, a plume of intense white smoke indicated the ignition of the ammunition stored in the tank's carousel magazine.
Take Cover Immediately
The FGM-148 Javelin is a "fire-and-forget" anti-tank missile system developed in the 1990s. This technology marks a generational leap over older systems like the TOW-2B and RBS-56B BILL 2, which required continuous guidance until impact.
Such requirements placed operators in danger, as tanks can respond within about 10 seconds. In contrast, the Javelin allows operators to take cover immediately after launching, thanks to its fourth-generation infrared guidance system.
Once fired, the missile autonomously seeks out targets with a thermal signature similar to what was registered before launch. Upon identifying a suitable target, it descends in a dive, targeting the tank’s vulnerable upper armor.
Notably, while protective cages on tanks may be effective against certain threats, they are ineffective against the Javelin’s dual-warhead design, which can penetrate over 27.5 inches (700 mm) of armor.
Though many of the Javelins used in Ukraine are older models with a range of approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 km), they have still proven effective against Russian armor.
