MODERN MINE PROTECTION COMPLEX SOLUTION FOR VEHICLES

Mine protection =

Structural Integrity +

Occupant survivability

When we are discussing vehicle mine protection, we have to discuss “Multi-Layer” comprehensive vehicle protection system, taking into account that each part would “neutralize” the ever-changing threat in each stage of the blast.

A general "personal" note:

In different preliminary meetings that I had with potential customers that related to design and manufacturing of mine protected vehicles, two main conception points came up and I believe these points is very important to be clarified: Efficient Mine Protection is always a combination solutions that include Structural Integrity + Occupant survivability.

• "V-shaped” design of the bottom deflector doesn't automatically provides protection from underbelly explosions

“V-shaped” design of the lower section of the vehicle does not automatically insure mine protection, and it is not always a “magic solution” for every underbelly blast. There are many other elements, as we would see next, that have to be implemented to create an effective solution.

• Concentration only on Structural Integrity avoiding additional demands for Survivability of the crew.

Incorrect definition of the protection level – as an example when the customer says that they are interested that the new or modernized vehicle would have mine protection according to AEP-55 Vol. 2a/2b, however, when we continue building the specification, in many cases the demand is “only” for structural integrity following 6kg AT mine blast. In many cases, the risk of Injury to the crew inside the vehicle (Occupant survivability – safety) is not getting the needed attention. It is very important to define the wished result, as it would certainly determine the solution proposed.

I will not delve into all the definition and technical parameters that appear in AEP-55, Volume 2 document “PUBLICATION PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATING THE PROTECTION LEVEL OF ARMOURED VEHICLES, VOLUME 2, MINE THREAT” however will make a general overview of the threats and possible solutions.

The main treats for the vehicle and the crew resulting of underbelly blast:

• high-velocity munition fragments
• blast wave
• accelerations resulting from a blast

Let’s examine such mine protection “Multi-layer” system from Plasan and what solutions used for each stage of the blast magnitude:??

Structural Solutions:

Belly Deflector:

• absorbs up to 85% of the blast energy
• distributes the blast impact
• stops high-velocity munition fragments
• minimizes vehicle structural deformation

Floating floor:

• Serves as a buffer between Blast impact & crews' feet

Suspended structure attached to the vehicle walls and minimizes damage and injury, isolates the crews' feet from the vehicle’s floor, forming a buffer from blast impact.

Mine Blast Protection kit (MPK) and Hull Structure:

Manages blast magnitude forces by taking into account the specific reactions of the vehicle’s structure to forces and accelerations resulting from a blast, therefore attenuating blast energy and channeling it away from the vehicle’s crew. The kit is made of lightweight composite materials.

Crew Survivability Kit

Energy Attenuating (EA) Seats:

• Reduce Shock Impact to Occupant's Pelvis & Spine
• Converts Kinetic Energy and Attenuating for Primary & Secondary Loads

Plasan’s line of TERRA? energy attenuating seats both absorb and reduce the kinetic energy resulting from explosions, and by that increase the crew survivability. Based on the company’s experience, together with plastic deformation technology and advanced ergonomic design to create a range of multi-functional energy attenuating seats.

Foot Pads:

• Uniform Distribution of Energy
• Prevention of Pressure Points & Loads
• Protects Tibia & Femur

Plasan’s T-BAR? Blast absorbing footpads provide an additional layer of protection for troops inside the vehicle for enhanced occupant survivability. Designing these pads, Plasan placed great emphasis on preserving the soldier’s quality of life as much as possible. It is a flexible solution, which could be added to the vehicle within minutes by the soldiers in the field. As in all other protection solutions offered by Plasan.

Additional elements that would insure maximum protection and crew survivability:

• Modular Structure of the Hull that can be based on unique “kitted hull” concept that insures Better Blast Event Performance Due to flexible joints
• Escape hatches that allow the crew to leave the damaged vehicle
• Combat locks that insure the doors be kept in place during a blast event?

The process of vehicle design in Plasan can include:

• Simulating blast effects with use of advanced dynamic simulation FEA tools that based on hundreds of live blast tests performed through various projects along the years

• Live blast testing at company’s polygon
• Ballistic laboratory tests for high-velocity munition fragments
• Drop Tests for EA Seats testing

and more …??

There are many different factors that influence the mine protection level of the vehicle, ground clearance, vehicle operational weight, hull design and more, but the most important point is that mine protection needs to be designed as a complex of integrated solutions with consideration of blast energy management, physical fragment protection and crew survivability.