The MOD has tasked Dstl to reduce
the weight and bulk of armoured vehicles, making them 70% lighter and
50% smaller over the coming two decades. Adding complication to this
task is the threat to British and Allied armoured fighting vehicles
by the damage caused from Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). There are
currently no armoured personnel carriers and few tanks that can carry
enough weight of armour needed reliably to resist such impacts from
any direction.
In recent years intensive research has been conducted at Dstl to find
a highly effective, yet lightweight, armour system to address this threat
and provide for future MOD needs. Scientists have developed a revolutionary
Electric Armour system which can resist attack from RPGs or other shaped
charge weapons whilst remaining of a practical weight and size for armoured
vehicles to carry. The system is forecast to weigh a mere couple of
tonnes, but has a protective effect equal to carrying an extra 10-20
tonnes of steel armour.
Electric Armour reduces the effect of impacts by RPGs and other projectiles
to almost zero, and will ultimately save the lives of soldiers.
To find out more see "Faster,
harder, stronger" in Spotlight on Science.
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