HSUUV Armor Distribution for Mobility and Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current armoring technologies for wheeled vehicles are ineffective against roadside improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosive munitions, and armor-piercing rounds, resulting in reduced mobility, increased cost, and high recognition by enemy forces, leading to tactical difficulties and casualties.
Innovation Solution
The Highly Survivable Urban Utility Vehicle (HSUUV) employs a novel armor system that concentrates heavy armor on the sides and rear of commercial vehicles, with minimal armor on the front and bottom, to protect occupants from side attacks, allowing for enhanced mobility and reduced visibility, while maintaining load-carrying capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy armor is distributed evenly around the vehicle, then occupants are protected from attacks from all angles, but the vehicle loses mobility and load-carrying capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating heavy armor plating specifically on the side walls of the vehicle where occupants are most vulnerable to RPG and IED attacks, rather than distributing armor evenly throughout. This localized approach provides high-level protection where needed while preserving vehicle mobility and load-carrying capacity in other areas.
2Reliability
If heavy armor is added to protect against RPGs and IEDs, then occupants are protected from explosive threats, but the vehicle becomes slower and less mobile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by placing heavy armor plating specifically on the side walls to protect against RPG and IED threats, rather than adding armor uniformly to the entire vehicle. This targeted approach provides necessary protection against explosive threats while minimizing the impact on vehicle speed and mobility.
3Reliability
If armor is added to commercial vehicles, then protection level increases, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by installing heavy armor plating only on the side walls of commercial vehicles where protection is most needed, rather than armoring the entire vehicle. This selective approach achieves high-level protection against side attacks while significantly reducing the overall cost compared to full-vehicle armoring.
4Reliability
If doors are replaced with heavy armor, then side protection increases, but access to the vehicle becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by replacing traditional doors with segmented heavy armor plating that includes armored openings or hatches for access. This allows the side walls to maintain heavy armor protection while providing controlled access points for occupants to enter and exit the vehicle safely.
Data Source
AI summary
The Highly Survivable Urban Utility Vehicle (HSUUV) provides a novel way to balance the concerns of armor, mobility and cost. Prior art distributes armor to protect all areas of the vehicle evenly, thereby distributing the maximum armor weight capacity evenly. The HSUUV provides armored protection in levels, which vary depending on the location of the armor and that location's ballistic threat. Entrance to the HSUUV is located in location(s) other than the traditional side door(s) so as to provide additional armored protection in the area receiving the greatest ballistic threat. Using the HSUUV, soldiers can safely and quickly enter areas that they otherwise would have had to fight and sustain casualties to enter. The vehicle will give United States forces an unprecedented amount of flexibility, allowing for better strategic and tactical decisions.