Apparatus for defeating high energy projectiles
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.
This non-provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/071,917 filed May 27, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe 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 INVENTIONConventional 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.
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. Such weapons are often called Hollow Charge (HC) weapons. A rocket propelled grenade (“RPG”) is such a weapon. An RPG 7 is a Russian origin weapon that produces a penetrating metal jet, the tip of which hits the target at about 8000 m/s. when encountering jets at such velocities solid metal armors behave more like liquids than solids. Irrespective of their strength, they are displaced radially and the jet penetrates the armor.
Various protection systems are effective at defeating HC jets. Amongst different systems the best known are reactive armors that use explosives in the protection layers that detonate on being hit to break up most of the HC jet before it penetrates the target. Such systems are often augmented by what is termed “slat armor,” a plurality of metal slats disposed outside the body of the vehicle to prevent the firing circuit for an RPG from functioning.
A second type of anti-armor weapon uses a linear, heavy metal penetrator projected a high velocity to penetrate the armor. This type of weapon is referred to as EFP (explosive formed projectile) or SFF (self forming fragment) or a “pie charge” or sometimes a “plate charge.
In some of these weapons the warhead behaves as a hybrid of the HC and the EFP and produces a series of metal penetrators projected in line towards the target. Such a weapon will be referred to herein as a Hybrid warhead. Hybrid warheads behave according to how much “jetting” or HC effect it has and up to how much of a single, big penetrator-like an EFP it produces.
Another type of anti-armor weapon propels a relatively large, heavy, generally ball-shaped solid projectile (or a series of multiple projectiles) at high velocity. When the ball-shaped metal projectiles(s) hits the armor the impact induces shock waves that reflect in a manner such that a plug-like portion of the armor is sheared from the surrounding material and is projected along the path of the metal projectile(s), with the metal projectile(s) attached thereto. 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.
While the HC type weapons involve design features and materials that dictate they be manufactured by an entity having technical expertise, the latter type of weapons (EFP and Hybrid) can be constructed from materials readily available in a combat area. For that reason, and the fact such weapons are effective, has proved troublesome to vehicles using conventional armor.
The penetration performance for the three mentioned types of warheads is normally described as the ability to penetrate a solid amount of RHA (Rolled Homogeneous Armor) steel armor. Performances typical for the weapon types are: HC warheads may penetrate 1 to 3 ft thickness of RHA; EFP warheads may penetrate 1 to 6 inches of RHA; and Hybrids warheads may penetrate 2 to 12 inches thick RHA. These estimates are based on the warheads weighing less than 15 lbs and fired at their best respective optimum stand off distances. The diameter of the holes made through the first inch of RHA would be: HC up to an inch diameter hole; EFP up to a 9 inch diameter hole; a Hybrids somewhere in between. The best respective optimum stand off distances for the different charges are: an HC charge is good under 3 feet but at 10 ft or more it is very poor; for an EFP charge a stand off distance up to 30 feet produces almost the same (good) penetration and will only fall off significantly at very large distances like 50 yards; and for Hybrid charges penetration is good at standoff distances up to 10 ft but after 20 feet penetration falls off significantly. The way these charges are used is determined by these standoff distances and the manner in which their effectiveness is optimized (e.g., the angles of the trajectory of the penetrator to the armor). These factors effect the design of the protection 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.”
Armor solutions that offer a weight advantage against these types of weapons can be measured in how much weight of RHA it saves when compared with the RHA needed to stop a particular weapon penetrating. This advantage can be calculated as a protection ratio, the ratio being equal to the weight of RHA required to stop the weapon penetrating, divided by the weight of the proposed armor system that will stop the same weapon. Such weights are calculated per unit frontal area presented in the direction of the anticipated trajectory of the weapon.
Thus, there exists a need for an armor that can defeat the high energy projectiles (i.e., projectiles having velocities of greater than about 2500 m/s) from anti-armor devices without requiring excess thicknesses of armor, and thus have a high mass efficiency. Preferably, such armor would be made of materials that can be readily fabricated and incorporated into a vehicle design at a reasonable cost, and even more preferably, can be added to existing vehicles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe 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.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention an armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, includes an armor subsystem configured to be mounted exterior to the vehicle hull along the expected trajectory, the exterior armor subsystem further including sheet-like layers of low density non-ceramic, non-metal composite materials alternating with sheet-like layers of high strength metal materials.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the disclosed embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Specifically, armor system 10 in the
While it may be preferred that the third intermediate aluminum layer 30 of exterior armor subsystem 16b also abuts to the exterior surface 14a of hull 14, as depicted in
Also, a low density polypropylene composite material is currently preferred for layers 20, 24 and 28, particularly a material called Tegris® available from Milliken & Company, 920 Milliken Road, P.O. Box 1926, Spartansburg, S.C. 29303 USA. Such a material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,691 to Callaway et al., the content of which is incorporated by reference herein. However, one or more of these layers may be substituted by other low density materials such as R-Glass composites, S-Glass composites, E-Glass composites, Kevlar® reinforced polymer, Kevlar® reinforced polyethylene composites, and hybrid materials formed from one of these alternative low density materials. Kevlar® is a high strength aramid available from Dupont. E-Glass is a glass material that has a lower alkali content than ordinary “window” glass and has good tensile and compressive strength and stiffness. E-Glass is available in fiber form from AGY. R-Glass and S-Glass are similar to E-Glass but have higher tensile strength and modulus. R-Glass is available from OCV Reinforcements, and S-Glass is available from AGY. Kevlar® reinforced polyethylene composites are available from LTC. R-Glass composites are available from OCV Reinforcements. S-Glass composites are available from AGY. E-Glass composites are available from AGY.
One skilled in the art given the present disclosure may be able to search out and select other low density materials that could be used to replace one or more of the low density polypropylene composite layers 20, 24, and 28. As discussed more fully in pending application Ser. No. 61/064,234, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, these layers, while not traditionally thought of as “armor” components, have been found to help attenuate the high velocity jets of metals that may accompany high energy projectiles, and thus increase the chance of defeating such threats. Also, the high strength aluminum for layers 18, 22, 26, and 30 may be selected from known high strength aluminum materials such as 7039 and 5083 or any of the other aluminum alloys disclosed in pending application Ser. No. 12/010,268. One skilled in the art would immediately be aware of other high strength aluminum materials that could be substituted for one or more of the aluminum layers 18, 22, 26, and 30.
As also shown in the embodiment of
An example of a particular armor system constructed in accordance with embodiment 10 depicted in
It is contemplated that the exterior armor subsystem 16 as depicted in the embodiment of
It is also presently contemplated that exterior subsystem 16 and interior subsystem 18 can be manufactured in modules to be easily installed and/or replaced. One skilled in the art would understand that the individual modules of exterior subsystem 16, being configured to mount to the exterior of the vehicle, may have a different configuration and planar dimensions than modules for interior armor subsystem 17. Also, while the armor system 10 including exterior armor system 16 and which may further include interior armor subsystem 17, are intended for use in protecting a vehicle, one skilled in the art given the present disclosure may configure armor system 10 to help safeguard non-vehicle structures with or without human occupants.
As in the exterior armor subsystem 16 in the
Also, the depictions of the thicknesses of the high strength aluminum layers and the low density polypropylene composite layers in the
In the third embodiment as shown in
The aluminum and low density polypropylene materials discussed in relation to the embodiments in
Specifically, exterior armor subsystem 102 includes leading layer 106 of high strength aluminum; a first intermediate layer 108 of a low density polypropylene composite abutted to rear surface 106a of the aluminum leading surface 106; a first intermediate layer of high strength aluminum 110 abutting rear surface 108a of low density polypropylene composite layer 108; a second intermediate layer 112 of low density polypropylene composite abutting rear surface 110a of aluminum layer 110; and a second intermediate layer of high strength aluminum 114 abutting rear surface 112a of low density polypropylene layer 112. In contrast to the embodiments in
Finally, the
Contemplated dimensions of a particular armor system configured as armor system 100 shown in
In
Regarding exterior armor subsystem 132, leading layer 136 is high strength aluminum; the first intermediate low density layer 138 is a low density polypropylene composite which abuts rear surface 136a of aluminum layer 136; and the first intermediate aluminum layer 140 of high strength aluminum abuts rear surface 138a of low density polypropylene layer 138. Exterior armor subsystem 132 further includes second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer 142 abutting the rear surface of 140a of aluminum layer 140; a second intermediate high strength aluminum layer 144 abutting a rear surface 142a of low density polypropylene composite layer 142; and a third intermediate layer of low density polypropylene composite 146 abutting rear surface 144a of the second interior aluminum layer 144.
The
The
With respect first to the embodiment in
Specifically, low density polypropylene layer 178 is positioned to abut rear surface 176a of leading metal grid layer 176 layer 180 of high strength aluminum is positioned to abut rear surface 178a of the low density polypropylene composite layer 178 low density polypropylene layer 182 is positioned to abut rear surface 180a of high strength aluminum layer 180, and high strength aluminum layer 184 abuts the rear surface 182a of low density polypropylene layer 182. Still further, high density polypropylene composite layer 186 is positioned to abut rear surface 184a of high strength aluminum layer 184 and a further layer of high strength aluminum 188 abuts rear surface 186 of low density polypropylene composite layer 186 and another layer 190 of low density polypropylene composite abuts the rear surface 188a of high strength aluminum layer 188.
Still further, exterior armor subsystem 172 includes two sheet-like layers of high strength steel namely high strength steel layer 192 abutting rear surface 190a of low density polypropylene composite layer 190 and high strength steel layer 194 abutting the front surface 14a of the vehicle hull of 14. High strength steel layers 192 and 194 are spaced apart a predetermined distance to create an air gap, such as by the use of a low density foam-like material 196. The intended dispersing function of the air gap/foam layer 196 is essentially the same as the intended function for the air gaps in embodiments
Turning now to the embodiment shown in
The thickness dimensions of the components of the embodiments depicted in
Still further,
In the further embodiment depicted in
Still further, a pair of additional intermediate metal armor layers 264 and 266 are provided in exterior armor subsystem 252, with metal armor layer 264 abutting rear surface 262a of composite layer 262 and metal armor layer 266 abutting rear surface 264a of metal armor layer 264. Metal armor layers 264 and 266 may also be formed of a high strength aluminum. Metal layer 266 is spaced from upstream surface 14a of hull 14 by an air gap such as may be provided by a low density foam material as discussed in the previous embodiments.
In a representative application of the
With respect to interior subsystem 254, it is currently preferred to be a multilayer construction of foam layer 270, aluminum oxide ceramic layer 272, and a Kevlar/E-Glass hybrid composite layer 274, all available from LTC. In an application of the embodiment depicted in
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention. The present invention includes modifications and variations of this invention which fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured to be mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including
- (a) a leading layer, relative to the expected projectile trajectory;
- (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density material abutting a rear surface of the leading layer;
- (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of metal abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density material layer;
- (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density material abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate metal layer;
- (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of metal abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density material layer;
- (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density material abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate metal layer; and
- (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of metal positioned between the third intermediate low density material layer and an exterior surface of the vehicle hull, and abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density material layer.
2. The armor system as in claim 1, further comprising an interior armor subsystem interior to the vehicle hull, the interior armor subsystem including one or more sheet-like layers of a low density material positioned to the rear of an interior surface of the hull.
3. The answer system as in claim 2, wherein the low density material in the one or more interior low density material layers is selected from members of the group consisting of R-Glass composites, S-Glass composites, E-Glass composites, Kevlar® reinforced polymer, Kevlar® reinforced polyethylene composites, and hybrids of one or more of the group members.
4. The armor system as in claim 2, having a first low density material interior layer of a low density polypropylene composite spaced a predetermined distance from an interior surface of the hull, and a second low density material interior layer of a composite of an aramid and a glass material abutting a rear surface of the first interior low density polypropylene composite layer.
5. The armor system as in claim 1, wherein the leading layer is a sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum or a metal grid.
6. The armor system as in claim 1, wherein the leading layer is a sheet-like layer of a low density material, and wherein the leading layer also comprises the first intermediate low density material layer.
7. The armor system as in and claim 1, wherein one or more of the leading layer, and the first, second, and third intermediate metal layers is a high strength aluminum, and wherein the low density material of one or more of the first, second, and third intermediate layers of a low density material is a low density polypropylene composite.
8. The armor system of claim 7, wherein the high strength aluminum selected from the group consisting of 7039, 5083, and 2024-T351.
9. The armor system as in claim 1, wherein the third intermediate metal layer also abuts an exterior surface of the vehicle hull.
10. The armor system as in claim 1, wherein the third intermediate metal layer abuts a rear surface of the third intermediate low density material layer and also abuts an exterior surface of the hull; wherein the leading layer and the first, second, and third intermediate layer are a high strength aluminum; wherein the first and second intermediate low density material layer are a low density polypropylene composite; and wherein the third intermediate low density material layer is an R-Glass composite in a phenolic resin.
11. The armor system of claim 1, wherein a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density material abuts a rear surface of the third metal layer, and wherein a fourth sheet-like metal armor layer abuts an exterior surface of the hull.
12. The armor system as in claim 11, wherein the fourth intermediate low density material layer is spaced a predetermined distance from the fourth intermediate metal layer.
13. The armor system as in claim 11, wherein the fourth intermediate low density material layer also abuts a front surface of the fourth intermediate metal layer.
14. The armor system as in claim 11, wherein the material of the fourth intermediate low density material layer is a low density polypropylene composite, and wherein the metal of the fourth intermediate metal armor layer is a high strength aluminum.
15. The armor system as in claim 1, wherein the third intermediate metal layer is a high strength steel, and wherein the armor system further includes a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting an exterior surface of the hull.
16. The armor system as in claim 15, wherein the third and fourth intermediate steel layers are spaced apart a predetermined distance.
17. The armor system as in claim 15, further including a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density material abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate steel layer and abutting a front surface of the fourth intermediate steel layer.
18. The armor system as in claim 15 wherein the high strength steels of the third and fourth intermediate steel layers are selected from the group consisting of A514, A517, Weldox®, and Mil A-12560 Rolled Homogeneous Armor.
19. The armor system as in claim 1, wherein the low density materials of the first, second, and third intermediate low density material layers are selected from members of the group consisting of R-Glass composites, S-Glass composites, E-Glass composites, Kevlar® reinforced polymer, Kevlar® reinforced polyethylene composites, and hybrids of one or more of the group members.
20. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured for being mounted sheet like exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including
- (a) a leading sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum, relative to the expected projectile trajectory;
- (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the leading aluminum layer;
- (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer;
- (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer;
- (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum layer abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (h) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate aluminum layer; and
- (i) a fourth sheet-like high strength aluminum layer abutting an exterior surface of the hull,
- wherein the fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer is spaced a predetermined distance from the fourth intermediate aluminum layer.
21. The armor system as in claim 20, wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
22. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured for being mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including (a) a leading layer of a high strength aluminum, relative to the expected projectile trajectory; (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the leading aluminum layer; (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer; (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer; (g) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate aluminum layer; and (h) a fourth intermediate sheet-like high strength aluminum layer abutting a rear surface of the fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer and also abutting an exterior surface of the hull.
23. The armor system as in claim 22, wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
24. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured to be mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including (a) a leading layer of a high strength aluminum, relative to the expected projectile trajectory; (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the leading aluminum layer; (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer; (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer; (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; and (h) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting an exterior surface of the hull, (i) wherein the third and fourth intermediate steel layers are spaced apart a predetermined distance.
25. The armor system as in claim 24, wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
26. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an armor subsystem exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including (a) a leading layer of a high strength aluminum, relative to the expected projectile trajectory; (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene abutting a rear surface of the leading aluminum layer; (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; and (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer; (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer; (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (h) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate steel layer; and (i) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer and also abutting an exterior surface of the hull.
27. The armor system as in claim 26, wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
28. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured to be mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including (a) a leading sheet-like layer of high strength aluminum, relative to the expected projectile trajectory; (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the leading aluminum layer; (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer; (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer; and (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer and also abutting an exterior surface of the hull.
29. The armor system as in claim 28, wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
30. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured to be mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including (a) a leading sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite, relative to the expected projectile trajectory; (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the leading low density polypropylene composite layer; (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer; (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer; (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate aluminum layer; (h) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; and (i) a fifth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting an exterior surface of the hull,
- wherein the fourth and fifth intermediate steel layers are spaced apart a predetermined distance.
31. The armor system as in claim 30, wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
32. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured to be mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including (a) a leading sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite, relative to the expected projectile trajectory; (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the leading low density polypropylene composite layer; (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer; (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer; (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate aluminum layer; (h) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (i) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the fourth intermediate aluminum layer; and (j) a fifth sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer and also abutting an exterior surface of the hull.
33. The armor system as in claim 32, wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
34. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured to be mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including (a) a leading metal grid layer, relative to the expected projectile trajectory; (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the leading metal grid layer; (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer; (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer; (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; (h) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate aluminum layer; (i) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer; and (j) a fifth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting an exterior surface of the hull,
- wherein the fourth and fifth intermediate steel layers are spaced apart a predetermined distance.
35. The armor system as in claim 34 wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
36. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an armor subsystem configured to be mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including
- (a) a leading metal grid layer, relative to the expected projectile trajectory;
- (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density material abutting a rear surface of the leading metalized grid;
- (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer;
- (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer;
- (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (h) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate aluminum layer;
- (i) a fourth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the fourth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (j) a fifth intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the fourth intermediate steel layer; and
- (k) a fifth intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength steel abutting a rear surface of the fifth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer and also abutting an exterior surface of the hull.
37. The armor system as in claim 36, wherein one or more of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth intermediate low density polypropylene composite layers is Tegris®.
38. The armor system as in any one of claims 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36, further comprising an interior armor subsystem configured for being mounted interior to the vehicle hull, the interior armor subsystem including
- (i) an interior sheet-like layer of low density polypropylene composite spaced a predetermined distance behind an interior surface of the vehicle hull; and
- (ii) an interior sheet-like layer of an aramid and glass composite abutting a rear surface of the interior low density polypropylene composite layer.
39. The armor system as in claim 38, wherein the interior layer of a low density polypropylene composite is Tegris®, and the interior layer of an aramid and glass composite is a hybrid composite of Kevlar® and E-Glass®.
40. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured for being mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including
- (a) a leading sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum, relative to the expected projectile trajectory;
- (b) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the leading aluminum layer;
- (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (d) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate aluminum layer;
- (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of R-Glass composite in a phenolic resin abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer;
- (g) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum layer abutting a rear surface of the third intermediate R-Glass composite in phenolic resin layer and also abutting an exterior surface of the hull.
41. The armor system as in claim 40, wherein one or both of the first and second intermediate low density polypropylene layer is Tegris®.
42. The armor system as in claim 40, further including a sheet-like layer of an R-Glass composite in phenolic resin abutting an interior surface of the hull.
43. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- an exterior armor subsystem configured for being mounted exterior to the vehicle hull, the exterior armor subsystem including
- (a) a leading sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum, relative to the expected projectile trajectory;
- (b) a intermediate sheet-like layer of a low density polypropylene composite abutting a rear surface of the leading aluminum layer;
- (c) a first intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the intermediate low density polypropylene composite layer;
- (d) a intermediate sheet-like layer resin of a R-Glass composite in a phenolic resin abutting a rear surface of the first intermediate high strength aluminum layer;
- (e) a second intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the R-Glass composite/phenolic resin layer;
- (f) a third intermediate sheet-like layer of a high strength aluminum abutting a rear surface of the second intermediate aluminum layer; and
- wherein the third intermediate high strength aluminum layer is spaced from an exterior surface of the hull by a foam layer hull.
44. The armor system as in claim 40, wherein the first intermediate low density polypropylene layer is Tegris®.
45. The armor system as in claim 40, further including an interior armor subsystem comprising in sequence, sheet-like layers of a foam, an aluminum oxide ceramic, and a Kevlar® and E-Glass® hybrid composite, the foam layer abutting an interior surface of the hull.
46. An armor system for protecting a vehicle from high energy projectiles, the projectile having an expected trajectory and the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
- a leading layer, relative to the trajectory, the leading layer 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,
- wherein individual ones of the first plurality of high strength metal layers being positioned alternating with, and to the rear of, individual ones of the second plurality of low density material layers.
47. The armor system as in claim 46, wherein the leading layer comprises one of a sheet-like metal layer, a metalicized grid layer, and the outer-most layer of said first plurality of low density materials layers.
48. The armor system as in claim 46, wherein the materials of the high strength metal layers are selected from high strength steel and high strength aluminum, and wherein the materials of the low density material are selected from low density polypropylene composites and R-Glass composites.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 12, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 3, 2009
Inventors: Vernon P. Joynt (Pretoria), Robert A. Cole (Johns Island, SC), Thomas E. Borders (Goose Creek, SC)
Application Number: 12/155,977
International Classification: F41H 5/04 (20060101);