Who is Kathryn Toohey. What is her background in lacrosse. How has she contributed to Penn State’s women’s lacrosse team. What makes her a promising player for the future.
Kathryn Toohey’s Journey to Penn State Lacrosse
Kathryn Marie Toohey, a junior on the Penn State women’s lacrosse team, has been making waves since her high school days. Her journey to becoming a Nittany Lion is a testament to her skill, dedication, and passion for the sport.
High School Achievements
Toohey’s lacrosse career began at Garnet Valley High School, where she played under head coach Jenny Purvis. Her impact on the team was significant:
- Led Garnet Valley to a 21-4 record in 2019
- Helped secure a 17-3 mark, a District Title, and a Central League Championship in 2018
- Named All-Delco second team in both 2018 and 2019
- Selected All-Central League second team in 2019
These accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed. Inside Lacrosse rated Toohey as a five-star prospect and ranked her as the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2020 signing class. This high-profile status set the stage for her collegiate career.
Toohey’s Collegiate Career at Penn State
Upon joining the Penn State women’s lacrosse team, Toohey found herself in a competitive environment where she could further develop her skills.
Freshman and Sophomore Seasons
During her freshman (2021) and sophomore (2022) seasons, Toohey did not appear in any games. While this might seem discouraging, it’s not uncommon for talented players to take time to adjust to the collegiate level and find their place on a competitive roster.
Junior Season Breakthrough
In her junior season (2023), Toohey made two appearances for the Nittany Lions. This marks a significant step forward in her collegiate career, suggesting that her hard work and perseverance are beginning to pay off.
Toohey’s Playing Style and Strengths
Penn State’s head coach, Missy Doherty, has high praise for Toohey’s abilities on the field. According to Doherty, “Kathryn is an extremely talented and fast attacker. She will bring tremendous scoring ability and versatility to our offensive end.”
This assessment highlights several key attributes that make Toohey a valuable asset to the team:
- Speed: Her quickness allows her to outmaneuver defenders and create scoring opportunities.
- Scoring ability: Toohey has a natural talent for finding the back of the net.
- Versatility: Her adaptability makes her a dynamic threat on the offensive end.
- Attacking prowess: As an attacker, Toohey’s role is crucial in driving the team’s offensive strategy.
The Influence of Family and Background
Toohey’s passion for sports runs in the family. Her father, Frank Toohey, played soccer at Widener University, while her sister, Elizabeth, plays lacrosse at Manhattan College. This athletic background has likely contributed to Kathryn’s drive and understanding of competitive sports.
Interestingly, Toohey isn’t the only Garnet Valley alumna on the Penn State roster. She joins Kara and Regan Nealon, creating a small community of former high school teammates at the collegiate level. This connection could provide a sense of familiarity and support as Toohey continues to develop her skills at Penn State.
Academic Pursuits and Future Goals
Beyond the lacrosse field, Toohey is focused on her academic career at Penn State. She plans to major in communications and psychology, demonstrating a well-rounded approach to her college experience.
This choice of majors could serve Toohey well in her future, whether she pursues a career in sports or explores other professional paths. The combination of communications and psychology can provide valuable skills in areas such as sports marketing, team dynamics, or sports psychology.
Why Penn State? Toohey’s Perspective
When asked about her choice to attend Penn State, Toohey’s response reveals her thoughtful approach to selecting a university:
“I chose Penn State because of all the many different majors it has to offer. I also love the fun-loving atmosphere at Penn State. I love how welcoming the school is and it is a place I can call home.”
This statement highlights several factors that influenced Toohey’s decision:
- Academic diversity: The wide range of majors available at Penn State allows for exploration and flexibility in academic pursuits.
- Campus atmosphere: The vibrant and welcoming environment resonated with Toohey’s personality.
- Sense of belonging: Penn State’s community made Toohey feel at home, an important factor for student-athletes who spend significant time on campus.
The Road Ahead: Toohey’s Potential Impact
As Kathryn Toohey continues her journey with Penn State women’s lacrosse, there’s considerable excitement about her potential impact on the team. Her high school accolades and coach Doherty’s glowing assessment suggest that Toohey has the skills to become a key player for the Nittany Lions.
Areas for Growth
While Toohey has shown promise, there are always areas for improvement in any athlete’s game. Some potential focus points could include:
- Consistency: Building on her junior year appearances to become a regular contributor to the team.
- Leadership: As an upperclassman, Toohey has the opportunity to mentor younger players and take on a leadership role.
- Tactical development: Continuing to refine her understanding of Penn State’s offensive strategies and her role within them.
- Physical conditioning: Maintaining and improving her speed and agility to stay competitive at the highest collegiate level.
Long-term Prospects
Looking beyond her collegiate career, Toohey’s skills and dedication could open doors to various opportunities in the world of lacrosse:
- Professional play: With the growth of professional women’s lacrosse leagues, Toohey could potentially pursue a career as a professional athlete.
- Coaching: Her experience and understanding of the game could translate well into a coaching role at various levels.
- Sports administration: Combining her athletic background with her studies in communications and psychology could lead to opportunities in sports management or administration.
The Bigger Picture: Women’s Lacrosse at Penn State
Kathryn Toohey’s story is part of a larger narrative of women’s lacrosse at Penn State. The program has a rich history and has produced numerous talented players over the years.
Program Achievements
Penn State women’s lacrosse has been a competitive force in collegiate lacrosse for decades. Some of the program’s notable achievements include:
- Multiple NCAA tournament appearances
- Several conference championships
- Producing All-American players and professional athletes
Toohey’s journey with the team contributes to this ongoing legacy, as she and her teammates strive to add to the program’s successes.
The Role of Player Development
Toohey’s progression from a highly-rated high school prospect to a collegiate player making her first appearances as a junior underscores the importance of player development in college athletics. It demonstrates that:
- Success at the high school level doesn’t always translate immediately to college play
- Patience and perseverance are crucial for young athletes
- Coaching staff play a vital role in nurturing talent and helping players reach their potential
As Toohey continues to develop, her story can serve as an inspiration and learning opportunity for younger players in the program and aspiring collegiate athletes.
Balancing Athletics and Academics
One of the challenges faced by student-athletes like Kathryn Toohey is balancing the demands of high-level athletic competition with rigorous academic pursuits. This juggling act requires discipline, time management, and support from the university.
Penn State’s Support Systems
Penn State, like many top athletic programs, provides various support systems to help student-athletes succeed both on and off the field:
- Academic advisors specializing in student-athlete needs
- Tutoring services and study halls
- Time management workshops
- Mental health resources
These resources can be crucial in helping athletes like Toohey navigate the challenges of balancing sports and studies.
Life Skills Development
The experience of being a student-athlete can foster valuable life skills that extend beyond the lacrosse field or classroom:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Leadership and communication
- Time management and prioritization
- Resilience and ability to handle pressure
These skills can serve Toohey well in her future career, whether in sports or another field.
The Impact of Women’s Lacrosse on Collegiate Athletics
Kathryn Toohey’s participation in Penn State’s women’s lacrosse program is part of a larger trend of growth and recognition for women’s sports in collegiate athletics.
Growing Popularity
Women’s lacrosse has seen significant growth at the collegiate level in recent years:
- Increasing number of NCAA Division I programs
- Rising attendance at games and tournaments
- Greater media coverage and exposure
This growth provides more opportunities for talented athletes like Toohey to compete at high levels and potentially pursue professional careers.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the progress, women’s collegiate sports, including lacrosse, still face challenges:
- Achieving equity in resources and support compared to men’s programs
- Increasing visibility and media coverage
- Expanding professional opportunities post-college
Players like Toohey, through their performances and advocacy, can play a role in addressing these challenges and furthering the growth of women’s lacrosse.
Looking to the Future: Toohey’s Final Seasons
As Kathryn Toohey enters her senior year, expectations and opportunities are likely to increase. Her journey from a highly-rated recruit to a player making her first collegiate appearances demonstrates the importance of persistence and continuous improvement in athletics.
Potential Milestones
In her remaining time at Penn State, Toohey has the opportunity to achieve several milestones:
- Earning a starting position on the team
- Contributing to key victories and potentially playoff runs
- Developing into a leadership role for younger teammates
- Earning academic and athletic honors
Legacy and Impact
Regardless of statistical achievements, Toohey’s impact on Penn State women’s lacrosse extends beyond the field. Her journey serves as an example of:
- The value of perseverance in the face of challenges
- The importance of team culture and supporting roles
- The potential for growth and development throughout a collegiate career
As she continues her academic and athletic journey at Penn State, Kathryn Toohey represents the dedication, skill, and potential that define collegiate athletics. Her story is still unfolding, and the lacrosse community will be watching with interest to see how she concludes her time as a Nittany Lion and what the future holds for this promising athlete.
Kathryn Toohey – Women’s Lacrosse
Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content
Scoreboard
2023 Women’s Lacrosse Roster
-
Bio -
Related -
Stats -
Historical
Biography
2023 – JUNIOR SEASON
Season: Made two appearances.
2022 – SOPHOMORE SEASON
Season: Did not appear in a game.
2021 – FRESHMAN SEASON
Season: Did not appear in a game.
High School:
Played at Garnet Valley high school for head coach Jenny Purvis…Led Garnet Valley to a 21-4 record in 2019…Helped Garnet Valley to a 17-3 mark, a District Title and a Central League Championship in 2018…Named All-Delco second team in 2018 and 2019…Selected All-Central League second team in 2019…Rated as a five-star prospect and the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2020 signing class by Inside Lacrosse…Also played soccer at Garnet Valley…Set to join Kara and Regan Nealon as Garnet Valley alums on the Penn State roster…Played for the Philly Blast club team.
Personal:
Full name is Kathryn Marie Toohey…Daughter of Frank Toohey and Karen Graver-Toohey…Has a sister, Elizabeth…Father, Frank, played soccer at Widener University…Sister, Elizabeth, plays lacrosse at Manhattan College…Mother, Karen, attended Penn State, graduating in 1983…Planning to major in communications and psychology.
Why Penn State?
“I chose Penn State because of all the many different majors it has to offer. I also love the fun-loving atmosphere at Penn State. I love how welcoming the school is and it is a place I can call home.”
Doherty on Toohey:
“Kathryn is an extremely talented and fast attacker. She will bring tremendous scoring ability and versatility to our offensive end.”
Statistics
Season:
Season Statistics
Season Statistics
No statistics available for this season.
Career Statistics
There are no statistics available for this player.
Historical Player Information
-
2019-20Freshman
Midfielder
-
27
2021Freshman
M
5’8″
27
-
27
2022Sophomore
M
5’8″
27
-
27
2023Junior
Midfielder
5’8″
27
Catherine Halsey
Catherine Halsey is a victim of Ellsworth Toohey and a perfect example of Toohey’s ghastly method of power-seeking.
Early in the story, Katie is a sincere, good-natured girl, genuinely in love with Peter Keating. Though she had not been a great high school student, she planned on going to college, a goal supported by Keating but not by Toohey, her uncle. She is wishy-washy regarding this dream and allows Toohey to talk her out of it.
The one consuming passion of Katie’s life is her love for Keating. But her uncle works hard to convince Keating to woo Dominique, not Katie, knowing that if his scheme succeeds, he will have reached two goals at once: He will have emptied Keating’s soul of its last personal value and deprived Katie’s soul of its only value. The lives of both will then be devoid of meaning, love, and passion. Both will be internally empty vessels, lost at sea and floundering, existing in painful misery, crying for a leader to guide them. This is exactly what happens. Keating loves Katie but abandons her for a showcase wife in the person of Dominique Francon. Keating’s betrayal is a crushing blow to Katie.
Toohey succeeds in conquering both of their souls. Katie, in empty despair, turns to the altruistic creed of her uncle, becoming, in effect, a miniature version of Toohey, seeking spiritual power over the poor individuals to whom she ministers as a social worker.
When Keating meets Katie by chance on the streets of New York, years after his abandonment of her, she is a bustling Washington bureaucrat, who exists to give orders, “not big orders or cruel orders; just mean little ones — about plumbing and disinfectants.” She is neither angry, hurt, nor embarrassed at their meeting. She simply takes unstrained control of their time together, tells him what he will eat, and listens in amused tolerance to his heartbreaking admission that marrying her was the only thing he had ever wanted to do. Katie is Toohey writ small: She possesses no values or personal loves — she considers them “selfish” — only a desire to control small matters in the lives of weak people who are either unable or unwilling to control their own lives.
As a consequence of possessing a soul devoid of personal values, she is an unfeeling automaton who bustles through her days in cold controlling efficiency.
As a chilling victim of Toohey’s power lust, Katie serves to illustrate an important aspect of Ayn Rand’s philosophy. Her sweetness, innocence, and good nature are inadequate to protect her from Toohey’s evil. She was a conventional person, dutifully following her family and her uncle, not too ambitious, not committed to living by her own judgment or pursuing her own dreams. Her lack of independence — her unwillingness to bear the responsibility of sustained, self-initiated thought — costs her the loss of her soul. An uncritical emotional sweetness of disposition is insufficient to gain a person happiness or to protect her against evil. She needs to use her own mind to think for herself. A lack of independent thinking is what dooms Katie’s attempt to gain love and happiness.
Ain (http://marsexxx.com, email protected) – Source » Page 70 » Online books of all genres to read for free
— Very nice of him.
I’m sure Mr Toohey is a very intelligent man.
Yes, mother.
He got up impatiently and went to his room.
This was Keating’s first visit to the first-class boarding house where Katherine and her uncle had recently moved. Their number did not leave any memories in his memory, everything was simple, very clean and exquisitely modest; he noted that there were many books and very few pictures, but all were originals, and very valuable. People never remembered the dwellings of Ellsworth Toohey, only his owner. The owner on this Sunday afternoon was in a charcoal gray suit as immaculate as a military uniform, and black leather slippers with red trim – the slippers challenged the formal elegance of the suit, yet complemented that elegance as a happy counterbalance. He was sitting on a large low chair, and his face wore an expression of cautious good nature, so careful that Keating and Katherine sometimes felt like insignificant soap bubbles.
Keating didn’t like the way Katherine was sitting in the chair, hunched over and awkwardly moving her legs.
He noted with regret that she was wearing the same costume for the third season. Her eyes fixed on a spot somewhere in the middle of the carpet. She seldom looked up at Keating, and she never looked at her uncle. Keating did not detect a trace of that cheerful admiration with which she always spoke of her uncle, and which he vainly expected to manifest in the presence of his uncle himself. All of her was somehow motionless, colorless and very tired.
The bellboy brought tea on a tray.
“Please, dear, spill it,” Toohey said to Catherine.
— Oh, there is nothing better than drinking tea in the afternoon. When the British Empire disappears, historians will find that it made two invaluable contributions to civilization – the tea ritual and the detective novel. Katherine, dear, why are you holding the handle of the kettle like a butcher’s knife? But, okay, that’s charming, that’s what we love you for, Peter and I, we wouldn’t love you if you were as elegant as a duchess – well, who needs a duchess these days?
Katherine spilled the tea on the tablecloth, which had never happened to her before.
“I really wanted to see the two of you together,
,” Toohey said, holding the delicate cup carefully. “Stupid of me, isn’t it?” Generally speaking, nothing particularly remarkable happens, but sometimes I get stupid and sentimental, like the rest of us. I want to congratulate you, Katherine, although I must apologize to you, because I never suspected so much taste in you. You and Peter are a wonderful couple. You can give him a lot. You will cook donuts for him, wash his scarves and give birth to children, although, of course, children, they all get chickenpox sooner or later, which is very unpleasant.
— But you… do you approve of that? Keating asked worriedly.
— I approve of this? What is it, Peter?
– Our marriage… over time.
— What a question, Peter! Of course I approve. But you are so young! It’s always like this with young people – they see obstacles where there are none. You ask it like it’s important enough to disapprove.
“Kathy and I have been dating for seven years now,” Keating tried to defend himself.
— And it was, of course, love at first sight?
“Yes,” Keating replied, feeling ridiculous.
“It must have been spring then,” Toohey said. – Usually it happens. There will always be a dark cinema hall and a couple in the clouds. They hold each other’s hands – but your hands sweat if you hold them for too long, don’t they? And yet, being in love is
wonderful. The world knows no more touching story – and more banal. Don’t turn away like that, Katherine. You can’t afford to lose your sense of humor.
He smiled. The warmth of his smile warmed them both. There was so much cordiality that it flooded their love, which seemed so petty and pathetic, because only something worthy could give rise to such an abyss of compassion. Toohey asked:
— By the way, Peter, when are you going to get married?
— Well… actually, we haven’t talked about a specific date yet. You see, so much has happened to me, and now Kathy has her own job and … Yes, by the way, ”he added sharply, because this work of Katy unnecessarily unnerved him,“ when we get married, Kathy will have to refuse from her.
I don’t approve of her.
“I don’t approve either,” Toohey confirmed, “if Katherine doesn’t like it.”
Katherine worked as a day nurse at a school for the poor in Clifford. It was her own idea. She often attended school with her uncle, who taught economics there, and became interested in this work.
— But I really like her! Katherine exclaimed with sudden excitement. “I don’t understand why you’re against it, Peter!” There was a harsh note in her voice, defiant and unpleasant. “Never in my life have I felt such satisfaction: to help people who are helpless and unhappy. I was there this morning too – I didn’t have to go, but I wanted this , and therefore ran there on the way home. I didn’t even have time to change. But that doesn’t mean anything, who cares what I look like? The sharp note in her voice disappeared, she spoke animatedly and very quickly: – Uncle Ellsworth, imagine! Billy Hansen has a sore throat – do you remember Billy? And the nanny wasn’t there, and I had to clear his throat with egrol! Poor thing, he had a terrible white coating in his throat!
Her voice seemed to shine, as if she was talking about something extremely beautiful.
She looked at her uncle. And for the first time Keating caught in her eyes the feeling he expected to see. She went on talking about her work, her children, her school. Toohey listened intently, saying nothing. But the seriousness and attention in his eyes transformed him. The mocking gaiety disappeared, he forgot
his own advice and became serious, really serious. Noticing that Katherine’s plate was empty, he simply offered her a tray of sandwiches, but in doing so somehow made his gesture a gesture of respect.
Keating waited impatiently for her to stop even for a second. He wanted to change the subject. He looked around and saw the Sunday papers. This question has long been stuck in his head. He asked cautiously:
“Ellsworth, what do you think of Roark?”
Roark? Roarke? Toohey repeated. Who is Rorke?
The too innocent, too ordinary tone in which he
repeated the name, with a barely perceptible intonation of contempt at the end, made Keating sure that Toohey knew the name well.
When a person is completely unfamiliar with something, he usually does not emphasize his complete ignorance. Keating said:
– Howard Roark. Remember the architect? The one who builds Enright’s house.
— Oh? Ah yes, the one who finally builds Enright’s house. And what?
– The Chronicle released a sketch of him today.
— Really? I haven’t looked at the Chronicle yet.
— And… what do you think of this building?
– If it were significant, I would remember it.
— Of course! Keating articulated the syllables with difficulty, lingering on each one. “It’s a terrible, crazy thing!” We have not seen anything like it and would not like to see it! A sense of liberation swept over him. It was as if he had lived his whole life knowing that he had a congenital disease, and suddenly the words of the world’s greatest specialist revealed to him that he was healthy. He wanted to laugh, freely, stupidly, without worrying about his own dignity. He wanted to speak.
“Howard is my friend,” he said cheerfully.
— Your friend? Do you know him?
– Do I know him! Lord, let’s learn together! At Stanton. God, yes, he lived in our house for three years, I can tell you what color his underwear is and how he takes a shower!
– Did he live at your house in Stanton? Toohey repeated. He spoke with a kind of wary clarity. His words were short, dry, and irrevocable. Like the matches were broken.
“It’s all very strange,” thought Keating. Toohey asked him a lot of questions about Howard Roark. But these questions did not have
meaning. They were not about the building and not about architecture at all. These were pointless questions of a personal nature. He wondered why he should have asked about a man he had never heard of before.
– Does he laugh often?
– Very rare.
– Does he look miserable?
Never.
– Did he have many friends in Stanton?
– He never had friends anywhere.
— Did his classmates dislike him?
– Nobody could love him.
— Why?
— He makes people feel that to love him would be arrogance.
– Did he go to parties, drink, have fun?
Never.
– Is he attracted to money?
— No.
– Does he like to be admired?
— No.
— Does he believe in the Most High?
— No.
Does he talk a lot?
Very few.
– Does he listen when others discuss some … issues with him?
Is the tank dead? | Belarus Security Blog
Illustrative photo
You will read this article in 8 minutes
Is a tank worth zero in modern warfare? This conclusion can be drawn from the stream of images showing Russian tanks stuck in the mud with their turrets torn off, ambushed and destroyed by Ukrainian troops armed with cheap anti-tank weapons. These images are often cited in conjunction with broadcasts from Turkish drones destroying tanks with seemingly effortless ease. After the recent Nagorno-Karabakh war, during which Russian tanks were destroyed by the same model of drones, these are convincing arguments for those who are ready to proclaim the death of the tank.
The heyday of tanks
World War II and the 1967 Arab-Israeli War were the glory days of tanks. They became the centerpiece of every “real” army. The development effort was focused on the fact that the best defense against a tank is another tank. There were some improvements in anti-tank weapons for the infantry – the most famous were the German Panzerfausts and the American bazookas. However, it was a melee weapon.
Arab-Israeli war 1967 was the first conflict since the Second World War in which tank formations were widely used on the battlefield. Israel’s resounding victory in this conflict reinforced the notion that the tank was the dominant force on the battlefield.
The Israelis demonstrated that the principles of combined arms maneuver adopted by the United States and other countries during World War II to defeat Nazi Germany were sound. Moreover, despite being outnumbered, the Israel Defense Forces has shown that a well-managed, trained and equipped military force can defeat numerically larger troops.
The advent of ATGMs
Less than a decade later, the same battlefields in the Middle East that confirmed the main battle tank as the dominant force in modern combat revealed its first major vulnerabilities. Between 1967 and the 1973 Yom Kippur War, two technologies emerged that seemed to change everything. The development of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) for the first time gave infantry the ability to destroy a tank at long range. Similarly, another key component of the Israeli defense complex, the air force, has come under threat from mobile surface-to-air missiles. For the first time in history, the dominance of an air-armored group was in question. The two key components that formed the basis of the blitzkrieg and combined-arms maneuver warfare – tanks and aircraft – failed drastically.
After the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the first obituaries for the tank were published. The Soviet ATGM “Baby” showed the vulnerabilities of the tank. And, as many believed at that time, he threw him into the dump of unsuccessful weapons and ideas.
These expensive high-tech systems were portrayed as clumsy victims of cheap and easy-to-use ATGMs. For the price of an army tank, hundreds of anti-tank systems could be put into service.
So why didn’t they do it?
What to do with anti-tank guided missiles?
With the advent of anti-tank systems on the battlefield, two important questions had to be answered. First, why does the army need tanks? Secondly, if tanks are needed, what could be done to reduce the threat of ATGMs?
The main role of the tank has not changed much since World War II. On the offensive, the tank provided mobile, protected strike power on the battlefield, allowing ground forces to maneuver. In defense, the tank was the best weapon against another tank. For the Israel Defense Forces, the tank was the backbone of their ground-based ability to defend their country against a numerically superior enemy on multiple fronts. For the United States, the tank was a key component of ground power in Europe to deter the outnumbered Warsaw Pact.
Addressing the tank’s vulnerability was key to ground deterrence for both countries.
ATGMs were countered by tactical solutions with the addition of technical improvements to the tank.
Both the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the US Army eventually realized that, given the continued importance of mobile, protected lethal weapons (tanks), ATGMs needed to be neutralized. The solution was mainly tactical: combined arms operations with a particular focus on suppressing these ATGMs. The IDF also made technical improvements by installing mortars on its tanks, a practice that continues to this day with the Merkava series of main battle tanks. Finally, smoke grenade launchers were installed on combat vehicles to protect them from aimed fire. This was not a new practice, it was used on German tanks during World War II.
However, the most important technical development in response to ATGMs was the development of improved armor to replace the rolled homogeneous steel of World War II.
New armor was needed to protect the tank from HEAT warheads. Here the British led the way with the development and implementation of the Chobham armor, which protected against both HEAT and APCR warheads. Other solutions soon followed, such as dynamic protection.
New challenges – new solutions
The next sign that the tank was facing a serious and possibly deadly new problem came during the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Again, the ATGM became a challenge. But the 9M133 Kornet has a much longer range than the Malyutka (5000 m versus 3000 m), a tandem warhead capable of hitting all known armor, even frontal, and – most importantly – a laser beam guidance system, ease of operation .
The end of tanks was announced almost immediately. Cheap weapons again became the enemy of expensive main battle tanks. However, the Israeli military understood that only a tank had the potential to survive on the battlefield. If the tanks were vulnerable, then the dismounted infantry was the meat.
The technical solution that the OAO put forward in response to the emergence of a new generation of ATGMs was the Trophy active protection system. In short, Trophy uses sophisticated tank-mounted radar to shoot down incoming ATGMs. It also has the advantage of providing the crew and other network systems with information about the location of the ATGM launcher.
The
Trophy soon proved its worth in Israel’s operations against Hamas in Gaza, effectively neutralizing the threats of ATGMs and rocket-propelled grenades to vehicles equipped with this system. The United States, Germany and the UK purchased the Trophy. Other states have developed their own active defense systems, such as the Russian “Arena” and “Afghanit” or the German MUSS.
If you can’t get through, get around
Most active defense systems were designed to defeat ATGMs attacking the vehicle from the front or side. But weapons appeared, attacking in the upper projection of armored vehicles.
These include ATGMs such as the American FGM-148 Javelin, an increasingly wide range of artillery shells, and drones. All of these weapons made the task of active defense, which Trophy originally tackled, more difficult.
It is too early to draw far-reaching conclusions. But one can try to understand why the Russian armored forces were so vulnerable to the Javelin, as well as to the Ukrainian Stugna-P and other ATGMs.
It seems to me that the Russian forces are facing the same difficulties as the Israeli forces in Lebanon, albeit on a much larger scale. The Russian army showed its incompetence in combined arms combat and maneuver. Where is the infantry escorting the tanks, which is supposed to smash the ambushes of the Ukrainian security forces? Where is the overwhelming mortar, artillery fire and close air support? If the Russian army were tactically competent, then Javelins and other ATGMs would be overwhelmed by artillery or air strikes, and their surviving crews would be swept away by Russian infantry.
So far, these key competencies seem to be lacking, and Russian soldiers are paying a heavy price for their lack of preparedness.
Again, the ATGM threat in Ukraine differs from that faced in previous conflicts in that these weapons use overhead strikes to penetrate the thin upper armor of tanks and avoid being intercepted by active defense systems that do not provide overhead cover. This is a technical problem, the solution of which, combined with effective combined arms and suppression, is likely to allow the tank to continue to do what tanks do best: provide decisive strike actions through the skillful use of mobile, protected weapons as part of a skillful combat operation.
Drones are another matter.
Über Alles Drones
The ubiquity of unmanned aerial systems on the battlefield has been staggering in the last decade. Whether it’s the Predator, Reaper, Switchblade, Turkish TB2s, ordnance loitering unmanned aerial systems, this is an opportunity to be reckoned with.
As already noted, many existing armored ground systems are vulnerable to attacks from above. This type of strike can also be delivered by drones.
So one might reasonably wonder if cheap swarming drones could be the end of tanks. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and the ongoing war in Ukraine seem to prove this to many. Illustrative is an article in the journal Foreign Policy, which states that “the current aviation is changing the battlefield of the future.”
This article quotes Scott Shaw, then director of the US Army Asymmetric Warfare Group, as he notes the aftermath of the Nagorno-Karabakh war: “You don’t have to be the United States or Russia. The cost of entering the war is lower than originally thought. You don’t need something like the United States Air Force, a superbly trained, impressive capability, to potentially conduct local air-to-ground or air-to-air operations. From this point of view, the problem that drones pose, whether they be unmanned aerial systems, naval vessels or ground robots, is a serious one.
