The History Behind RA:
The History Behind RA Created in 1970’s by a German inventor, in consisted of two metal plates with an explosive between them. He called in a “drive-plate explosive sandwich”
Early tank defense consisted of steel plates attached to the tank’s exterior vital areas
Created to protect tanks from shaped charges
A Brief Overview of Shaped Charges:
A Brief Overview of Shaped Charges Discovered in 1880 in Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island, first applied as a Shaped Charge by the Swiss
Munroe Effect
US first used in 1930, Soviet Union, Germany, and Great Britain in 1940
RP antitank G, Bazooka, warhead resulted
The Theory of RA:
The Theory of RA Fast moving jet of shaped charge penetrates outer metal plate and sets off explosive
Explosive detonates, forces the outer metal plate to fly outward into the SC jet
Plates dissipate and disperse jet
Penetration by jet is severely reduced if not defeated
Components of RA:
Components of RA 2 metal steel plates
Explosive compound, US military uses C-4
Often a ceramic tile or composite armor is placed behind the RA to further prevent penetration by the SC
Military Applications of RA:
Military Applications of RA US uses RA on HEAVY tanks only, no light-wheeled vehicles
RA tiles are strategically placed on tank
Since RA adds weight, the tank is not usually covered with the tiles, just covering the most vulnerable areas
Advantages of RA:
Advantages of RA Increases tank crew survivability
A single tile of RA is 20-30 times more effective than traditional armor
Disadvantages to RA:
Disadvantages to RA Added weight decreases tank speed and maneuverability
Can cause casualties to personnel near tank
Cannot be placed on lightly armored vehicles such as the US APC
RA armor is only effective if the shaped charge penetrates at the designed angle of impact