Russian air force relying on tyres for anti-drone protection

It appears that car tyres have been drafted into a protective role for Russia’s air force. Military aviation blog The Aviationist reports that “something interesting is emerging” from satellite imagery of Russia’s Engels-2 military airbase in Saratov Oblast, around 450 miles from the Ukrainian border. Satellite pictures show tyres placed on the wings and part of the upper fuselage of at least one Tu-95 Bear strategic bomber.

David Cenciotti, editor of The Aviationist, suggests that the “most likely” reason for covering the bomber with tyres is to protect it from kamikaze drone attacks. “Someone said the rubber tyres would be able to absorb the impact of the remotely piloted vehicle preventing it from exploding upon contact (small/light drones would bounce on the tires and explode at a certain distance from the intended target). Others suggested the car tyres would protect the fuel tanks in the wings from shrapnels of a drone explosion,” writes Cenciotti.

The TU-95, which first flew in 1952, is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today (Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense)

Non-solid & flammable

As a journalist with decades of experience in the field of aviation, Cenciotti is not oblivious to the shortcomings of tyres as an anti-drone protection. He insightfully notes that the ring-shaped nature of car tyres results in holes in the middle and drones could thus still reach the upper surface of the wing. Or else the drone’s pilot could simply guide it to detonate below the wing. “Last but not least, tyres are flammable although they need a high temperature to burn…when tyres catch fire, they burn with intense heat and produce noxious smoke.”

According to The Aviationist, Engels-2 is home to the 121st & 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiments, which respectively operate Tu-160M Blackjack and Tu-95M Bear strategic bombers. Russia has used the airfield to launch many of its air strikes with Kh-101 cruise missiles in the past, and Engels-2 itself came under attack on two occasions in December 2022.

Numerous publications have cited The Aviationist’s article, including Metro and the Daily Mail, both of whom used the word ‘bizarre’ to describe the tyre-based defensive measure.

Brace yourselves, because russians have once again showcased unparalleled innovation. What you are looking at is a satellite image featuring a TU-95 strategic bomber covered with car tires. According to them, this should protect strategic bombers from drones pic.twitter.com/ZjDDzRPOWf

— Tatarigami_UA (@Tatarigami_UA) September 3, 2023