Apparatus for extending and retracting an armor system for defeating high energy projectiles

Abstract

An armor system for protecting a vehicle from a projectile is disclosed. The armor system includes a telescoping frame having an attaching member attaching the telescoping frame to a hull of the vehicle, a support member, and at least one movable cross member attached between the attaching member and the support member. A distance between the hull and the support member varies based on the position of the at least one cross member. The armor system also includes a projectile-defeating assembly attached to the support member.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61 / 282,091, which is hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates to an armor system that resists penetration by projectiles.BACKGROUND[0003]Conventional armor, such as for protecting vehicles, 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, 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 form a generally linear “jet” of metal that will penetrate solid armor; these are often called Hollow Charge (HC...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The problem is that these explosive systems are poor at defeating EFP or Hybrid systems.

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 that such weapons are effective, has proved troublesome to vehicles using conventional armor.

However, nets having fixed spacings from vehicles may increase an effective width of a vehicle, thereby possibly causing problems maneuvering in narrow passages, such as, e.g., in some urban environments.

While any anti-armor projectile can be defeated by metal armor of sufficient strength and thickness, extra metal 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.

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