The British Army is stepping up its efforts to protect its Challenger 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) from modern battlefield threats, including drones and anti-tank munitions.
At the DefenceIQ International Armoured Vehicles conference, United Kingdom defense officials revealed ongoing trials of ‘cope cages’—protective barriers designed to disrupt and neutralize drone and missile strikes, reported by Army Technology.
With armored warfare evolving rapidly due to lessons learned in Ukraine, the British Army is exploring cost-effective defensive measures to extend the survivability of its tanks against first-person-view (FPV) drones and other airborne threats.
This article delves into the cope cage technology, its tactical benefits, ongoing trials, and the future of the Challenger 2 as it transitions to the Challenger 3 upgrade.
What Are ‘Cope Cages’?
‘Cope cages’ are an additional layer of armor, often made of bar, slat, or mesh structures, mounted on tanks and armored vehicles.
Their primary function is to prematurely detonate incoming munitions, preventing direct impact on weak points, such as turret roofs, engine compartments, and open hatches.
How They Work:
- Drone Disruption – The cage interferes with the flight path of FPV drones, causing them to veer off course or detonate at a less effective angle.
- Physical Protection – They create an additional barrier between the tank and incoming threats like RPGs, loitering munitions, and explosive drones.
- Obscuration & Signature Reduction – Some designs include camouflage elements to reduce infrared and radar visibility, making tanks harder to detect and engage.
Previously employed by Russian and Ukrainian forces, cope cages have seen mixed effectiveness, but as drone warfare becomes a dominant threat, Western militaries are now evaluating them for their own armored fleets.
UK’s Cope Cage Trials on Challenger 2 Tanks
The British Army has begun testing cope cages on its Challenger 2 MBTs at an Army Training Unit (ATU) site. These trials aim to evaluate:
The British Army is stepping up its efforts to protect its Challenger 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) from modern battlefield threats, including drones and anti-tank munitions.
At the DefenceIQ International Armoured Vehicles conference, United Kingdom defense officials revealed ongoing trials of ‘cope cages’—protective barriers designed to disrupt and neutralize drone and missile strikes, reported by Army Technology.
With armored warfare evolving rapidly due to lessons learned in Ukraine, the British Army is exploring cost-effective defensive measures to extend the survivability of its tanks against first-person-view (FPV) drones and other airborne threats.
This article delves into the cope cage technology, its tactical benefits, ongoing trials, and the future of the Challenger 2 as it transitions to the Challenger 3 upgrade.
What Are ‘Cope Cages’?
‘Cope cages’ are an additional layer of armor, often made of bar, slat, or mesh structures, mounted on tanks and armored vehicles.
Their primary function is to prematurely detonate incoming munitions, preventing direct impact on weak points, such as turret roofs, engine compartments, and open hatches.
How They Work:
- Drone Disruption – The cage interferes with the flight path of FPV drones, causing them to veer off course or detonate at a less effective angle.
- Physical Protection – They create an additional barrier between the tank and incoming threats like RPGs, loitering munitions, and explosive drones.
- Obscuration & Signature Reduction – Some designs include camouflage elements to reduce infrared and radar visibility, making tanks harder to detect and engage.
Previously employed by Russian and Ukrainian forces, cope cages have seen mixed effectiveness, but as drone warfare becomes a dominant threat, Western militaries are now evaluating them for their own armored fleets.
UK’s Cope Cage Trials on Challenger 2 Tanks
The British Army has begun testing cope cages on its Challenger 2 MBTs at an Army Training Unit (ATU) site. These trials aim to evaluate:
- Vehicle Functionality: Ensuring cope cages do not obstruct crew ingress/egress, visibility, and turret operation.
- Weight & Robustness: Testing materials to balance protection with maneuverability.
- Threat Impact: Simulating drone and RPG strikes to measure protective effectiveness.
- Maintenance & Deployment: Ensuring ease of installation, removal, and long-term durability in combat environments.
Potential Implementation
If successful, cope cages could be deployed on active Challenger 2 units to enhance survivability in future combat operations. However, it remains uncertain whether they will be integrated into the Challenger 3 upgrade program.
Challenger 2: Technical Specifications & Future Upgrades
The Challenger 2, introduced in 1998, remains the UK’s primary main battle tank. With a 120mm L30A1 rifled gun, Dorchester composite armor, and 1200hp Perkins CV12 diesel engine, it boasts impressive firepower, mobility, and protection.
Challenger 3: The Next Evolution
The UK is currently upgrading 148 Challenger 2 tanks to the Challenger 3 standard, featuring:
- New Turret & Main Gun – Replacing the rifled L30A1 with a smoothbore 120mm L55A1 compatible with NATO armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds.
- Enhanced Armor – New composite armor for better protection against modern anti-tank weapons.
- Active Protection System (APS) – Potential integration of hard-kill APS to intercept incoming missiles and RPGs before impact.
- Upgraded Engine & Suspension – Improving speed, mobility, and fuel efficiency for enhanced battlefield performance.
The Challenger 3 is expected to achieve initial operational capability (IOC) by 2027, but no confirmation exists on whether cope cages will be included in its final design.
Lessons from Ukraine & the Future of Armored Warfare
The Ukraine-Russia war has showcased new battlefield realities, where:
- FPV drones equipped with explosives can disable tanks.
- Loitering munitions target vehicle weak points with high precision.
- Cost-effective countermeasures like cope cages, electronic jammers, and camouflage nets are in high demand.
As modern warfare shifts toward drone-centric engagements, Western militaries, including the UK, must adapt. Cope cages, while not a permanent solution, represent a low-cost stopgap against the growing drone threat.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Future-Proofing UK Tanks
The British Army’s cope cage trials signal a proactive approach in adapting to emerging threats on the battlefield.
While Challenger 2s may receive this added protection soon, the Challenger 3 upgrade remains the ultimate solution for the UK’s armored future.
As the nature of war evolves, so must the tools of combat. Whether cope cages become a standard feature or merely a battlefield experiment, one thing is clear: the UK is preparing for a new era of warfare dominated by drones and asymmetric threats.
