The modern battlefield has seen the proliferation of High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) weapons which use a jet of molten metal called a explosive formed penetrator to defeat most types of steel armors, this resulted in a entire new generation of lightweight tank killing weapons systems which could be mounted on light armored vehicles. Tank destroyers trade high mobility for armor protection, but generally have the same firepower as a main battle tank
The 2S25 Sprut-SD Russian Light Amphibious Tank is a self-propelled tank destroyer or light tank developed and manufactured by the Volgograd Tractor Plant to meet the requirements of the VDV. In mid-2001, the Volgograd tractor plant revealed that the development of the 2S25 had lasted several years. The Sprut-SD is designed to defeat tanks, hard-skinned material, and enemy manpower by airborne and amphibious landing forces, as well as by specially designated units of ground forces. Its main armament, the 2A75, is capable of firing APFSDS, HE-Frag, HEAT, and ATGM ammunition. This allows the 2S25 firepower to be as powerful as the main battle tank and as maneuverable and amphibious as airborne infantry combat vehicles. The 2S25 can be used by units of ground forces and naval infantry as a light amphibious tank.
The hull of the 2S25 self-propelled anti-tank gun is composed of welded aluminum armor with a composite skin to maintain a light weight. Through the frontal arc, 40° left and right of the frontal armor provides protection against attack from 23 mm weapons at 500 m (550 yd) and against small arms fire and shell splinters through the remainder of the vehicle.
The Medusa Missile Tank is the SEATO tank destroyer platform. It is a self propelled multi-launch missile system that can employ both precision guided anti-tank missiles, and loiter munitions to locate and destroy tanks in cover. The Medusa primary mission is anti-tank and stand off strike, employing both its loiter munitions and missiles to hunt and strike targets from distances in excess of 20km. The Medusa contains 24 missile tubes which can fire a combinations of Spike ER ATGMs, Gray Ghost Loiter Munitions and 3 cell Stinger missiles which allows the Medusa to carry up to 72 Stingers in a air defense configuration. The Medusa is equipped with a single CROWS remote weapon station which can mount a heavy machine gun or automatic grenade launcher for self protection. Six smoke grenades and composite armor protection up to Level 6 (30mm APFS), ERA armor are also optional for additional protection.
The Medusa is equipped with a mast mounted radar system to data-link and guide missiles with other Medusa missile tanks allowing them to be serialized into a single mesh network of sensors and shooters, up to 12 Medusa tanks can be serial linked to each other and the mesh network could cover up to 50km, and provide on demand fires for up to 288 missile tubes tracking and engaging up to 256 targets at once. The Medusa tank can deploy loiter munitions which can remain in the air for up to 4 hours, the Grey Ghost loiter munition can track and designate targets for the Medusa while itself attacking targets
