Injured IDF soldier develops life-saving tank protection system

In November 2023, a 22-year-old Jerusalem resident, Yaakov, enlisted in the Israeli military’s specialized officer training program in the Armored Corps. However, his IDF career did not go as planned. Yaakov was injured a year ago and was eventually discharged from the army against his own wishes.

"I fought through medical boards to continue serving," Yaakov said in an interview with the Israeli news outlet Ynet News. Being discharged from the IDF caused him to be restless and he was determined to contribute to the Israel Defense Forces in other ways.

"They’re risking their lives while I’m protected on campus. I searched for ways I could contribute even now, as a student," Yaakov recalled.

Together with classmates Julia Karol and Leonid Kupriyan, he embarked on developing two innovative projects inspired by his personal experience with IDF tanks and their safety challenges. These projects evolved into an integrated, life-saving system designed to protect crew members.

"My goal is to save the lives of soldiers, including my friends. I want to create safer tanks and prevent unnecessary deaths," Yaakov explained.

One of the innovative systems addresses potential crew injuries during turret rotation. A turret is the rotating part of a tank (or other armored vehicle) that houses the main gun and sometimes additional weapons, allowing the crew to aim and fire in different directions without moving the entire vehicle.

"I personally remember the fear of being injured inside the tank during movement. It can be a life-threatening moment, and our development will provide an alert to the soldiers so they can prepare and protect themselves," he said.

The second innovative system is designed to isolate and securely store tank ammunition, reducing the risk of internal explosions.

Earlier this month, Yaakov’s team had an opportunity to demonstrate the innovative project at a hackathon hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Ariel University.

"It’s exciting and gratifying to see the interest from senior academics, including the university’s CEO, in our project," he said.

"Our developments aren’t just theoretical; they emerged from a real need in the field. I know they can save lives, and I hope we’ll reach the moment when these systems are integrated into IDF tanks, fulfilling their purpose of protecting armored troopers," he added.

The Jewish state has become a significant player in the international market for military innovation. Israel’s prominent position is attributed to its vast battle experience and tech-savvy Israeli defense companies that develop innovative military solutions for real battlefield challenges.

The military and the defense industry are traditionally male-dominated environments. However, female Israeli military experts have played a crucial role in developing various military innovations during the war in Gaza.

Female military experts played a central role in developing Israel's Elbit Systems’ new Iron Sting, reportedly the world’s only operational mortar munition system that can simultaneously operate as a target-guided missile system.

The Iron Sting enables the IDF to strike terrorists with precision, targeting a specific room without damaging the rest of the building. This marks a game-changing advancement, particularly as Hamas terrorists often operate from within civilian environments.

Israel’s advanced aerial defense system, Iron Dome, has saved many Israeli lives by intercepting the vast majority of incoming hostile missiles.