US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

[unununium]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

I think the most dramatic clip is the one where the RPG's warhead gets cleanly severed in a shower of sparks. I really want to know how they did this.

[imported_El_m_ent]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

If you are curious about how it works, just watch the clip a few more times and it will become obvious.

First, don't be fooled by those Jetson-esque simulations showing the "force field" bubble around the vehicle. I believe that is just a representation of the volume protected by the system.

Second, one of the scientists mentions "kinetic energy" in his description of the system. Well, this is just a fancy way to describe a bullet.

Third, if you watch the part where they show the tank being protected by the system, you see the rpg enter the frame from the front, then you see an explosion on the aft port side of the tank and then the rpg being disabled, all in rapid succession.

They also mention radar, so it is my feeling that it is a CIWS for a tank. Nice if it really works, a little late though, really could have used it in Somalia. Such is life.

[Warm Pudgy]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

seeing how its top secret, i dont think we will be finding out anything about any time soon

Trophy Active Protection System

RAFAEL (system) / IAI Elta (threat detection)

Trophy Active Defense System (ADS) is marketed by General dynamics, based on a system designed in Israel by an industry consortium headed by RAFAEL, including IMI and IAI/ELTA. After evaluating several systems available in the world market, General Dynamics selected the system for further improvement and is offering a version of the system to the US Army and other customers. GD plans to introduce the system with every new and existing combat vehicle it produces, including Stryker, M-1A2 and FCS. According to GD officials, the system can be adapted to US requirements and enter production within two years. The system has completed hundreds of live test with the Israel Defense Forces and demonstrated effective neutralization of anti-tank rockets and guided missiles, high safety levels, insignificant residual penetration and minimal collateral damage. The system is in full scale engineering phase for inclusion on Merkava Mk. 4 tanks and the future light armored vehicle (Stryker).

The Trophy system has three elements providing – Threat Detection and Tracking, Launching and Intercept functions. The Threat Detection and Warning subsystem consists of several sensors, including flat-panel radars, placed at strategic locations around the protected vehicle, to provide full hemispherical coverage. Once an incoming threat is detected identified and verified, the Countermeasure Assembly is opened, the countermeasure device is positioned in the direction where it can effectively intercept the threat. Then, it is launched automatically into a ballistic trajectory to intercept the incoming threat at a relatively long distance.

Specific details about the composition and mechanism of this explosive interceptor device are vague. From the briefing provided by US sources, Defense Update understands that Trophy is design to form a "beam" of fragments, which will intercept any incoming HEAT threat, including RPG rockets at a range of 10 – 30 meters from the protected platform. The Trophy development roadmap considers an enhanced countermeasure unit to be available in the future, and protect against kinetic energy (KE) threats. Trophy was designed to effectively operate in a dense urban environment, where armored vehicles operate closely with integrated infantry forces. Therefore, direction, formation and energy of the fragments are designed to ensure effective target kill with low collateral damage, and low risk to nearby troops. While not in use, the system is maintained in the stowed position, protected by an armor shield. The system has an automatic reload mechanism to handle multiple attacks.

The system can simultaneously engage several threats, arriving from different directions, is effective on stationary or moving platforms, and is effective against short and long range threats (such as RPGs and ATGM). Trophy was designed to be effective in open or closed terrain, including urban area and can be operated under all weather conditions.

[unununium]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

That actually explained exactly how it works. Well enough details so that we can fill in the blanks ourselves

So what happens when you're running up to the APC at the beginning of the day and it thinks you're an RPG? All I can think of is the jets in the Simpsons locking on to Groundskeeper Willy.

[Warm Pudgy]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

That actually explained exactly how it works. Well enough details so that we can fill in the blanks ourselves

So what happens when you're running up to the APC at the beginning of the day and it thinks you're an RPG? All I can think of is the jets in the Simpsons locking on to Groundskeeper Willy.

im sure it detects a minimum velocity for it protects the tank

[ThoughtForm]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

Looks like the technology is just a large shotgun type device mounted onto a high resolution radar / computer controlled servo.. you can probably set parameters in the controlling software to define how big the radius of protection is, i.e. earlier firing = larger protection radius

From the video which showed large projectiles (rpg round etc) blown up / stopped in their tracks while travelling at medium / high velocities, this would indicate that the projectiles shot from the shotgun type device has a very heavy mass, most likely Depleted Uranium in order to counter the momentum from the projectile

[military1]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

hax lamo!!!1

[Ghilleman]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

Cool, but don't forget we have lasers, and railguns, and also dragonscale/liquid armor in development for soldiers. Also, it looks like a mini-CIWS for tanks.

[WarGimp]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

People... PLEASE!
This is a FOX News report and thus should be consitered about on par with an 80s action movie. It's entertaining, but should by NO means be taken seriously.

Listen closer to that report. 2 successful tests. Out of how many?

"RPGs are the second biggest killed of US troops"
Yeah, 'cause they hit HUMVEES! Tanks aren't really impressed by RPG rounds and Hummers can't support Trophy.

The system is basicly a computer controled aimable claymore. Hitting an incoming missile in flight is still a dice roll, not something that can be counted on. Even with an impact, an RPG warhead cannot be reliably disabled. They arm quick and once they arm, they go BOOM when they hit something.

The system is a danger to escort troops! Think about it. It's a big arse shotgun bast going off in the direction of the incoming weapon. If there happens to be a grunt in the way, he's just as likely to get shredded as the weapon is. Before it comes up, escort troops usually are 15 to 30 feet away from the tank, so no, they aren't in direct danger from the RPG's blast radious... but they are sitting right about where the Trophy System is likely to intercept the weapon.

The system isn't a bad idea and might one day become useful (although many argue that research would be better spend on new forms of armour), but it is NOT nearly as ready as that FOX story makes it seem.

Remember folks... FOX News, where ratings are more important than facts.

[Ghilleman]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

Remember folks... FOX News, where ratings are more important than facts.

hmmm..... sounds like BF2 to some people. "BF2, where stats are more important than teamwork"

[Gerbera345]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

It seems that the United States only took twenty years to make their own version of the 'Arena' system the Russians developed back in the mid 1980's.

It used a high resolution radar tied to a series of directed explosive charges that were able to intercept close range missiles. It was a succesful system but it was nearly useless due to the fact any nearby troops were most assuradly dead. They even demonstrated a tank with three defense systems, Arena, Kontakt, and Shtora. One was reactive armour, one was the active defense, and the third was able to scramble missile control signals and fire off redirect lasers to throw off laser guided missiles (it also put off a protective IR smokescreen).

[WarGimp]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

Seriously, if I might indulge in a slight thread-jack for a moment...

If any of your have ever watched FOX News, you need to see this documentery: http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movie...ml?v_id=309213

FOX News is a major source of disinformation and propaganda that should be criminal. The Documenery "Out Foxing Fox" is one of the most suprising and interesting ones I've come across.

Thread-jack over.

Please continue with the discussion.

[Private_Adam]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

The key word here is game and not relatity. In real life, if a sniper hit you in the chest, your are dead, no two bars of life left, your done. And there is no walking around looking for a medic or medic bag either.

you can survive getting shot by sniper if you have body armor

[Ghilleman]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

depends on the rifle's caliber and ammunition. no matter how much you pray to a higher power, body armor won't stop an m95.

[colony]

Re: US military now has forcefield-like shields for tanks.

Israel has some smart scientists