Flyer plate armor systems and methods
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsTimothy J. Imholt, Alexander F. St. Claire, Michael L. Noland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a protective armor system may include a first armor layer. The protective armor system may also include a plate that is detachably coupled to the first armor layer. The protective armor system may also have a second armor layer that is separated from the plate by a gap. When the plate is struck by a projectile, it may be operable to increase the surface area of the tip of the projectile as the projectile accelerates the plate through the gap.
Claims20
A protective armor system, comprising:
- a first armor layer;
- a plate detachably coupled to the first armor layer by a fastener, the fastener configured to fail after a projectile penetrates the first armor layer and contacts the plate but before the projectile penetrates the plate;
- a second armor layer separated from the plate by a gap;
- and
- the plate being operable, when struck by a projectile, to detach from the first armor layer and be propelled by the projectile through the gap to increase a surface area of a tip of the projectile.
A method for protecting a target, comprising:
- providing an armor system between a projectile and a target;
- receiving by the armor system a force of a projectile;
- detaching a plate embedded within the armor system due to the force of the projectile, the detaching occurring before the plate is penetrated, the plate detachably coupled to an armor layer by a fastener, the fastener configured to fail after the projectile penetrates the armor layer and contacts the plate but before the projectile penetrates the plate;
- increasing a surface area of a tip of the projectile using the plate;
- and
- propelling, by the projectile, the plate through a gap within the armor system.
An armored vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle having an armor system, the armor system comprising:
- a first armor layer;
- a plate detachably coupled to the first armor layer by a fastener, the fastener configured to fail after a projectile penetrates the first armor layer and contacts the plate but before the projectile penetrates the plate;
- a second armor layer separated from the plate by a gap;
- and
- the plate being operable, when struck by a projectile, to detach from the first armor layer and be propelled by the projectile through the gap to increase a surface area of a tip of the projectile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.