Dr. Spontaneous
M-81B Zastava Ipabog
The same lessons that led to the development of the M-72AB Zastava Zmey were applied to some of the JNA's other armored vehicles. That is to say, the omnipresence of incredibly mature anti-tank munitions and countermeasures left many of Yugoslavia's vehicles exposed to lethal threats during the Second Eastern European War. Indeed, despite what many contemporaneous public reports stated, this rebuke of Yugoslavia's armored forces was felt most heavily among those that rode and served in the M-81A Ipabogs. Rather than being designed for sustained confined warfare, the Ipabog was meant to ambush and overwhelm. This discrepancy in modus operandi would come to haunt the JNA during the war's peak.
To rectify these concerns, the Ministry of Defense once again turned to Zastava Arms (hence the new designation) to create a suite of applique for the M-81 series. Many of the improvements and additions are simply commonsense items: explosive reactive armor, a dozer blade, hardened underbelly, slat armor, and an active protection system. Although many of these add-ons obviously improve the overall protection of the vehicle writ large, particular emphasis was paid to the troop bay in the rear--if the dismounts can arrive in good health, then they can offer 360-degree protection for their respective vehicles. Whether or not this idea translates to reality has yet to be seen. Indeed, it appears that NATO is doing its utmost to see that Belgrade never has a chance to use its new toys. Still, that hasn't stopped the Balkan nation from stirring up trouble in the past, so the future might be bathed in red as well.
Belated joint upload with Evan's HQ-7C SHORAD and Brian's Boeing "Shabh" Multirole Fighter.
M-81B Zastava Ipabog
The same lessons that led to the development of the M-72AB Zastava Zmey were applied to some of the JNA's other armored vehicles. That is to say, the omnipresence of incredibly mature anti-tank munitions and countermeasures left many of Yugoslavia's vehicles exposed to lethal threats during the Second Eastern European War. Indeed, despite what many contemporaneous public reports stated, this rebuke of Yugoslavia's armored forces was felt most heavily among those that rode and served in the M-81A Ipabogs. Rather than being designed for sustained confined warfare, the Ipabog was meant to ambush and overwhelm. This discrepancy in modus operandi would come to haunt the JNA during the war's peak.
To rectify these concerns, the Ministry of Defense once again turned to Zastava Arms (hence the new designation) to create a suite of applique for the M-81 series. Many of the improvements and additions are simply commonsense items: explosive reactive armor, a dozer blade, hardened underbelly, slat armor, and an active protection system. Although many of these add-ons obviously improve the overall protection of the vehicle writ large, particular emphasis was paid to the troop bay in the rear--if the dismounts can arrive in good health, then they can offer 360-degree protection for their respective vehicles. Whether or not this idea translates to reality has yet to be seen. Indeed, it appears that NATO is doing its utmost to see that Belgrade never has a chance to use its new toys. Still, that hasn't stopped the Balkan nation from stirring up trouble in the past, so the future might be bathed in red as well.
Belated joint upload with Evan's HQ-7C SHORAD and Brian's Boeing "Shabh" Multirole Fighter.