Armor

Abstract

Disclosed is a ballistic armor and an armor system. According to embodiments, the armor includes an outer armor plate and an inner active layer. The outer armor plate is adapted to resist penetration by one or more penetrative elements. The inner active layer is adapted to laterally deflect penetrating elements.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an armor unit and assembly construction that resists penetration by high energy solid projectiles and shockwaves designed to defeat armor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Conventional armor is subjected to a variety of projectiles designed to defeat the armor by either penetrating the armor with a solid or molten 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.[0003]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) weapons. A second type of anti-armor weapon uses a linear, he...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to ballistic armor and its materials, features, and techniques. The invention includes a ballistic armor unit or module that has an outer armor plate made of metal or ceramic and an active inner layer made of a non-rigid material that accelerates in a direction at least partially tangential to the velocity vector of penetrating elements. The active inner layer material may be encapsulated within the armor unit and may be in a non-compressed state or compressed state. The armor unit may also include one or more actuators that apply force to the active inner layer material. The actuators may be mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, or chemical in nature and may be in contact with the active inner layer material or dispersed throughout the material. The actuators may be triggered by a penetration event or a shockwave and may cause the active inner layer material to move laterally, deflect matter and energy associated with penetrating elements, or eject from the armor unit. The invention provides a new solution for ballistic armor that can protect against penetration events and shockwaves.

Problems solved by technology

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

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