Active Protection Systems Think Fast To Intercept RPGs
Writing by Evan Ackerman on Wednesday, 2 of December , 2009 at 12:37 am
It may be a stretch saying that this post has much to do with robots, but there are two reasons why I’m posting about this stuff anyway. First, it’s always interesting to see demonstrations of how computers experience time on an entirely different scale than we do, and second, explosions.
The above video (from who else but DARPA) shows a test of the Iron Curtain anti-RPG active protection system for light tactical vehicles. The system mounts to the top of a vehicle, and is comprised of radar, optical sensors, and some kind of active countermeasure that DARPA won’t talk about. The radar tracks incoming projectiles, while the optical sensors identify the specific type of warhead and instructs which countermeasure to fire so as to detonate the projectile just before impact. And it makes a huge difference… There’s still a big explosion, but the projectile is no more. Just last week, Iron Curtain got approval from DARPA to begin system testing on MRAPs.
Something even cooler, after the jump.
This active protection system is called Quick Kill, from Raytheon. An electronically scanned radar tracks incoming projectiles from any direction, and then launches a small counter-missile that orients itself, accelerates toward the projectile, and then detonates in the path of the projectile, destroying it. As you can see from the video, all of this happens on a timescale that a human would consider somewhat impractical, but the automated system has no problem pulling it off. Quick Kill is slated to being testing on vehicles sometime in 2011.
[ Iron Curtain ] VIA [ Danger Room ]
[ Raytheon Quick Kill Press Release ]
Comments (5)
Category: Military
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Comment by evaproto
Made Wednesday, 2 of December , 2009 at 2:00 am
Well as RPGs are not kinetic weapons and more of a slow moving shaped charge that are made to dissipate their energy into a small point. If one simply makes it blow up before it makes contact the energy will spread out greatly. Also what every is hitting it IE a curtain of tungsten flechlets it will furthermore misshapen the metal casing that is lined with the high explosives. If you see how other reactive armor works as in the case of the thin metal plate that blastes away from the tank to explode the ordinance early simulating a normal strike. I had once also seen one method for tanks that sensed with radar the incoming missile and would shoot off a few grenade like objects in to the area that the missile was coming and they would blast shrapnel downward far away from the tank. However all these methods are more dangerous to people outside the vehicle.
Comment by FelipeChoque
Made Wednesday, 2 of December , 2009 at 5:17 pm
Do you realize this IS the beginning of the FORCE FIELD?
Holy shit, this is amazing.
Comment by Rodolfo
Made Thursday, 28 of January , 2010 at 11:48 am
Hello.
You should take a look into ¨Trophy¨ and Ïron Fist¨ hard kill active defense systems from Israel. Trophy is now being installed in Merkava Mk. IV tank in the production line. The idea is not bad, the fact is that hopefully this active defense systems and the tank´s armour will evolve to intercept faster and more powerful weapons. Don´t forget that, technically, tanks should had passed away after WWII since most leaders though that guided missiles were going to do all the dirty job. (Leading, in some cases to the fatal error of taking away planes´ machineguns)
Excellent blog. Congratulations!!!
Comment by hair extensions lancaster
Made Tuesday, 22 of November , 2011 at 12:35 pm
Thanks for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become an expert, would you mind updating your blog with more details?
Comment by computer repairs sydney
Made Thursday, 15 of December , 2011 at 1:51 pm
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic however you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
