Article

2007-06-20 Science & Technology

Accidental Discovery Aids In EFP Protection

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Posted by 3dc 2007-06-20 02:56|| || Front Page|| [11129 views ] Top
File under: Iraqi Insurgency

#1 It is already known : one component of Chobham armor is fused glass rods and ceramics, to help defeat HEAT and EFP. It is just expensive to make it for one shot uses - unless the DoD does a recycle on the rejected glass laminate by approving side plates of the window rejects.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2007-06-20 03:38|| 2007-06-20 03:38|| Front Page Top

#2 I should think the slatted armor, or even the wrappings of cyclone fence around vehicles, would be effective at EFP protection. The EFP relies on FOCUS of energy rather than raw power, so anything that distorts its focussing shape before it reaches its intended target should greatly reduce its effectiveness. Similarly, sandbags would likely give more protection per inch or per pound than solid steel. I'm no armorer, so take this for what it's worth.

Posted by Glenmore">Glenmore 2007-06-20 07:35|| 2007-06-20 07:35|| Front Page Top

#3 If glass laminate armor does indeed stop EFPs, it does not logically follow that glass laminate is the only thing that would work for that purpose as the article seems to imply. Instead, it should be viewed as a demonstration of a physical principle for defeating EFPs. Cheaper, lighter, more effective anti-EFP armor could likely be made with other materials that needn't be transparent, but use the same physical principles.

Posted by Biff Wellington 2007-06-20 12:15|| 2007-06-20 12:15|| Front Page Top

#4 What's the word Phil?

Posted by Shipman 2007-06-20 12:22|| 2007-06-20 12:22|| Front Page Top

#5 The space shuttle tile is made of a material which is a silica, alumina fiber and borosilicate glass composite. If it can take the heat of reentry, I'd think the science is already available. Just no one looking?

Posted by Procopius2k 2007-06-20 12:35|| 2007-06-20 12:35|| Front Page Top

#6 Relatively speaking, the EFP problem is new. You can bet it is getting looked at hard by the R&D folks...

Posted by M. Murcek">M. Murcek 2007-06-20 13:52|| 2007-06-20 13:52|| Front Page Top

#7 Why not look towards the source of the EFPs, and bomb them back into the ice age.

Posted by wxjames 2007-06-20 15:31|| 2007-06-20 15:31|| Front Page Top

#8 From what I have read on this issue, the major advantage of the laminate is that the EFP loses so much of its energy during the spiderwebbing of the laminate, that the projectile is then unable to burn and puncture its way through steel/aluminum armor. So it would seem that another ceramic base that converts heat into crazing damage to its outer layers would be just as effective against EFPs. Plus, if it were to be made in standard sized sections that would be bolted onto the existing armor, one could eliminate a good deal of the threat. Of course, the sections would also have to be able to take direct fire from rifles and machine guns without failing; otherwise, all the terrorists would have to do is setup a daisy chain of IEDs - one that was a Claymore-style weapon, and the others that would be EFPs. The Claymore would strip the ceramic and the EFPs would be detonated like 1-3 seconds later.

Posted by Shieldwolf 2007-06-20 17:40|| 2007-06-20 17:40|| Front Page Top

#9 Why not look towards the source of the EFPs, and bomb them back into the ice age.

Because while that may be the ultimate and ideal solution, it isn't an interim one?

Posted by Pappy 2007-06-20 20:54|| 2007-06-20 20:54|| Front Page Top

#10 Space Shuttle tiles don't mass much.
That would be good for stuff already overloaded with armor.
But I don't know a damn thing about materials.

Posted by 3dc 2007-06-20 21:42|| 2007-06-20 21:42|| Front Page Top

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