Method and apparatus for the mitigation of explosively formed projectiles

Abstract

A multi step approach to mitigating the effects of explosively formed projectiles (EFPs). The first step involves a splitting step whereby the EFP total mass is reduced into fragments having smaller masses. The fragments are then exposed to cascading armored disks in preparation for a temperature reduction or “cooling” step. Heat is reduced by conduction through a cooling medium. Temperature reduction restores some solid properties to each fragment. The EFP fragments are slowed by exposure to a series of cascading armored disks designed to disperse contact pressures from any remaining fragments.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61 / 340,281 filed Mar. 15, 2010, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to armor in general and particularly to an armor composition that provides protection against explosively formed projectiles.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Recent conflicts in the Middle East and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have demonstrated the devastating tactics used in modern day asymmetrical warfare. Unconventional methods such as IEDs are the choice of the insurgents as they provide a low cost easily constructed strategic weapon of influence within the region. The explosively formed projectile (EFP, also referred to as explosively formed penetrators) is a new deadly form of IED has made its way to the battlefield. This new weapon has wreaked havoc on coa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of mitigating the effects of an explosively formed projectile. The method comprises the steps of splitting a mass of an explosively formed projectile into a plurality of secondary projectiles having a respective smaller mass than the mass of the explosively formed projectile; cooling at least one of the plurality of secondary projectiles to a temperature below a temperature of the explosively formed projectile; and slowing at least one of the plurality of secondary projectiles to a velocity below a hydrodynamic termination velocity; thereby mitigating the effects of the explosively formed projectile on an object against which the explosively formed projectile is launched.

Problems solved by technology

This new weapon has wreaked havoc on coalition armor and has resulted in many casualties and tremendous loss of strategic assets.

The penetrator mass then passes through the opening so created and can do significant damage to anything that it then contacts.

Conventional armor systems are unable to handle the extreme forces generated from a hypervelocity impact caused by a molten or semi-molten copper slug.

Although such armor is effective in providing protection from small arms fire and indirect shrapnel, it is ineffective in preventing an armor breach by an EFP slug.

Although these systems are hardened, they still fall short of providing full protection from EFP slugs and can cost as much as $2,000 per square foot.

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