|
CASR
|
-
Canadian
Defence Policy,
Foreign
Policy,
& Canada-US
Relations
- |
|
In Detail
——
Alternatives
to the Mobile
Gun System?
—— |
|
|
Defence Technology — January 2005
Protecting Canadian Soldiers In The Field:
An Approach To Lightweight Composite Armour Systems
Tom Rea compares armour materials
for modern Armoured Vehicles
Part 3 “... with explosive effect ...” – the Reactive Armours
A comprehensive armour strategy could include reactive
armours. Most reactive types work by releasing explosive energy to degrade the ability of projectiles and
specific explosive effects from having their maximum effect on the armour system. But, most reactive armours
work only under specific conditions against one type of attacking warhead. Many proposed future reactive types
require technologies which may never exist. An obvious example of the limitations of reactive
armour has been the evolution of tandem, shaped-charge warheads for rocket-propelled grenades and missiles. These tandem warheads neutralized much of the value
of explosive-reactive panels
(devised to disrupt the formation of the blast cones of the single shaped-charge warheads used in those earlier
anti-armour weapons).
In many possible scenarios, a reactive armour system may only partial defeat a particular threat, in which case the
thickest practical passive armour will stop or limit the remainder of the destructive effect of the attacking
warhead. Reactive armour should be viewed as a supplement to, but not a replacement for, efficient
arrangements of passive armour systems better able to withstand a broader range of attack. Any armour
system is only as strong as its weakest point.
“... if part allure thee ...” – the Value of Modular Lightweight
Armour
The application of modular lightweight armour would be scaled appropriately to the immediate needs (and
trade-offs) of protection levels and mobility. Billions of dollars could be saved in reduced wear on armoured
vehicles as well as the fleet of transport aircraft needed for rapid air deployment.
Primary elements of a CF battalion equipped with modular lightweight composite armoured system vehicles would
have a total shipping weight of some 2500 tons. At that weight, such a battalion could be moved anywhere in the
world within a few days. [1] Downgrading armour levels and restricting numbers of vehicles to essential
minimums for the initial entry into the airhead would allow the battalion to be moved simultaneously as a
cohesively deployed force (and in a reasonable number of aircraft). Subsequent tactical transport flights
would move follow on quantities of supplies, vehicles, equipment, and armour. Nothing prevents some vehicles
from being fully armoured if the need became apparent once in-country.
The modularity of the armour systems would also provide greater economy in the acquisition and application of
armour materials. The overall force structure would also be more efficient, since the need for separate major units
patterned on light, medium, and/or heavy equipment structures becomes irrelevant.
Any attempt at building expeditionary battalions or brigades in Canada will only succeed if the role of
lightweight armour in the context of the total force structure is properly understood. Moreover, ‘full continuum’-style
operations [2] will only succeed if the underlying force is able to defend itself by being adequately armed and
very well protected. (Peacekeeping operations will increasingly demand the broadest possible set of
options be available to the force if it is to be successful.)
The development of lighter armours that make full use of the ability of materials to absorb, diffuse, and
reflect energy will also benefit the least protected element of the army. The infantry receives the greatest
proportion of casualties. The recent developments in lightweight personnel body armour are clearly showing their worth, and there is room for
further improvement. A modular lightweight armour systems for vehicles may be just the start of a
revolution in military technology.
[1] Tactical transports like the CC-130 Hercules could
move vehicles and major weight items; commercial aircraft can move the non-major weight items to forward
staging areas; some armour, ammunition, and fuels could be forward-deployed in friendly countries; and some
supplies and equipment could be acquired locally.
[2] Operations which make maximum use of non-lethal technologies and tactics.
< Part 2 — “... in every fibre of his
being ...” the Fibre And Ceramic Armours
|
|
|