Page "Reactive armour" Paragraph 5

The idea of counterexplosion ( kontrvzryv in Russian ) in armour was first proposed by the Scientific Research Institute of Steel ( NII Stali ) in 1949 in the USSR by academician Bogdan Vjacheslavovich Voitsekhovsky ( 1922 – 99 ).

The first pre-production models were produced during the 1960s.

However, insufficient theoretical analysis during one of the tests resulted in all of the prototype elements being blown up.

For a number of reasons, including the accident, as well as a belief that Soviet tanks had sufficient armour, the research was ended.

No more research was conducted until 1974 when the Ministry of the Defensive Industry announced a contest to find the best tank protection project.