ATE472712T1 - REACTIVE PROTECTION DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention describes a rigid or flexible pyrotechnic protection surface which is free or integrated into a housing, for medium-heavily and lightly armored vehicles, protection arrangements and surfaces to be protected, corresponding to FIG. 1 , with a single-layer or multi-layer carrier ( 4 ) of any configuration which is inclined in the region of action of the threat and pyrotechnic layers ( 2, 3 ) mounted on the carrier on both sides. Shock waves and reaction gases are formed by the firing of both layers and are accelerated both in opposite relationship to and also in the direction of the penetrating hollow charge threat ( 1 ). In that way both the front powerful blast elements and also a great blast length are disrupted and thus lose their penetration capability or are at least greatly diminished in respect of their residual power. The pyrotechnic protection surface is disposed in a condition of dynamic equilibrium over the entire period of action. No influences which are destructive or relevant in terms of terminal ballistics are exerted on the external region or on the structure to be protected. To increase the overall effect selected explosive surfaces are covered on the inside and/or outside with non-metallic materials which do not form ballistic fragments so that they are set in motion at different speeds upon being blasted with a hollow charge. For practical use it is particularly advantageous if the wall of the housing is incorporated as one or more of the inert materials into the structure of the armoring arrangement. The combination of inert and pyrotechnic materials which are operative to afford protection, in conjunction with a suitable layering arrangement, means that the response time can be reduced in relation to known armoring arrangements to such an extent that only a very small part of the hollow charge blast can still penetrate the armoring. With such arrangements, the weight in relation to surface area which is necessary to afford protection can be markedly reduced in comparison with known reactive armoring arrangements without requiring a high-mass disruption layer which flies towards the vehicle. In that way only comparatively light structures are required on the vehicle side in contrast to known reactive protection systems.