Apparatus for defeating high energy projectiles

Abstract

The disclosed armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles includes a leading layer, relative to the projectile trajectory, positioned exterior to the hull; a first plurality of sheet-like layers of a low density material positioned between the leading layer and the hull; and a second plurality of sheet-like high strength metal layers positioned between the leading layer and the hull. The individual ones of the first plurality of high strength metal layers are positioned alternating with, and to the rear of, individual ones of the second plurality of low density material layers. The leading layer can be one of a sheet-like metal layer, a metalicized grid layer, and the outer-most layer of the first plurality of low density materials layers. The materials of the high strength metal layers may be selected from high strength steel and high strength aluminum, and the materials of the low density material may be selected from low density polypropylene composites and R-Glass composites.

Description

PRIORITY[0001]This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 071,917 filed May 27, 2008.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an armor system that resists penetration by high energy solid projectiles and high velocity jets e.g. from hollow charge weapons such as rocket propelled grenades.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Conventional armor is subjected to a variety of projectiles designed to defeat the armor by either penetrating the armor with a solid or jet-like object or by inducing shock waves in the armor that are reflected in a manner to cause spalling of the armor such that an opening is formed and the penetrator (usually stuck to a portion of the armor) passes through the armor, or an inner layer of the armor spalls and is projected at high velocity without physical penetration of the armor.[0004]Some anti-armor weapons are propelled to the outer surface of the armor where a shaped charge is exploded to fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention seeks to utilize the heretofore unappreciated ability of some low density, non-metal composite materials to degrade the effectiveness of such high energy projectiles such that known metal-type armor can further slow and eventually defeat the projectiles using ballistics engineering considerations, e.g., for projectile velocities of about 1600 m / s or less.

Problems solved by technology

Such an occurrence can, obviously, have very significant detrimental effects on the systems and personnel within a vehicle having its armor defeated in such a manner.

For that reason, and the fact such weapons are effective, has proved troublesome to vehicles using conventional armor.

While any anti-armor projectile can be defeated by armor of sufficient strength and thickness, extra armor thickness is heavy and expensive, adds weight to any armored vehicle using it, which, in turn, places greater strain on the vehicle engine, and drive train, and thus has a low “mass efficiency.”

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