Can a tank ‘umbrella’ protect the turret of a main battle tank?

Abstract

In response to the destruction of the hatch of main battle tanks, as has been evidenced in the on-going Russo-Ukrainian War, when a bomb or other explosive device is dropped onto the tank or its turret from above, a protective structure that deflects the device from causing harm to the turret – and thus the tankers – is desirable. This concept paper discusses one possibility: a tank ‘umbrella’, which offers, at least in theory, protection to the turret and tankers.