Composite Armour Solution Against EFP Roadside Bombs
06 March 2009
TenCate Advanced Armour has developed an armour protection solution against improvised explosive devices (IED) with explosives formed projectiles (EFP), often used by insurgents. The product, made with TenCate Armourtex BM, is lightweight composite vehicle armour, minimising the added weight to the vehicle.
In recent years military peacekeeping operations have become increasingly hazardous for soldiers due to a shift in the methods of military engagement and the use of roadside bombs. These two factors - part of the changing face of modern peacekeeping and warfare - add to the enormity of the task faced by international peacekeeping forces.
Effectiveness
Both explosives and bombs are utilised by an often-invisible enemy that hides among the local civilian population and practices unconventional, asymmetrical warfare. The cost in human life and disabling injuries is high for the peacekeepers involved. One way to outmatch the consequences of the enemy’s military strategy is to employ effective armour protection for military personnel and their vehicles such as the roadside bomb armour TenCate Armourtex BM.
Right balance
The balance between protection and mobility is a key factor in armoured vehicle design. The weight of the armour protection therefore needs to be as low as possible while affording the greatest levels of protection. TenCate Advanced Armour has designed a new composite armour solution with TenCate Armourtex BM to defeat explosive formed projectiles generated from improvised explosive devices. The weight is less than half the weight of traditional steel armour (RHA) thus providing excellent protection for the men and women in the vehicle, while minimising the added weight to the vehicle. TenCate Advanced Armour aims at a system approach by working together with vehicle manufacturers in order to establish the optimal configuration for vehicle protection.
Combat proven technology
Our roadside bomb armour will be ideal for the protection of armoured personnel carriers for the latest threat requirements giving protection against armour piercing projectiles as well as the more complex threats of explosively formed projectiles (EFP) and improvised explosive devices (IED). Excellent properties qualify the material for many present projects, as well as for future requirements. The nature of the new armour will also allow it to be a cost effective solution. The roadside bomb armour is already in service and has been combat proven and shown its capability to effectively save the men and women in the armoured vehicles.
The development of this new armour application gives TenCate Advanced Armour a unique product in the market, which will enable it to further increase its competitive edge.
Protecting against EFP
Explosively formed projectiles are used to ambush armoured vehicles. The cupper plate in the EFP transforms into an explosive formed projectile. With devastating force it will penetrate the rolled homogeneous armour (RHA). In a test sample of the hull of an APC that is protected with TenCate Armourtex BM roadside bomb armour the EFP is fully stopped and only an indent in the main hull is seen. Conversely, in a test sample of the hull of an APC that is protected with traditional ceramic armour (STANAG 4569 Level 4) the EFP perforates the main hull - including a spall liner - completely.
