18 · MT 5/2022 Feature needed – or for airborne platforms, when weight is a consideration. These can then be added modularly and as required. For optimum protection, Rheinmetall, among others, offers passive protection systems consisting of a combination of different elements – armour steel, ceramic composite systems, liners and other advanced materials – under the name Advanced Modular Armour Protection (AMAP). The overall system also includes transparent protection - i.e. ballistic-protected glass panels or angled mirrors. Schott AG is a market leader in laminated safety glass for ballistic protection. GuS glass + safety GmbH also offers angle mirrors in addition to armoured glass. Glass periscopes offer the best optical properties and high light transmission, as well as extremely high temperature resistance. Acrylic periscopes are almost 50% lighter, less expensive, temperature resistant to over 70°C and also offer better residual vision after bullet impact. GuS also offers contra-angle mirrors with a ‘waterproof’ housing, since traditional mirrors can allow water ingress via the external sealing seam. The new GuS housing prevents this by locating closing seams inside the vehicle, resulting in longer life mirrors. In addition, modern angle mirrors can include laser protection and other protective functions and accessories. These can include electromagnetic compatibility to prevent electromagnetic waves from entering the vehicle (EMC protection), windscreen heaters to prevent fogging and icing, a second field of vision (static or dynamic), protective caps for angle mirrors (to protect against head injuries), or blackout flaps or caps (to prevent light leakage). The latest innovation is an angled mirror with an integrated display, which allows important information to be superimposed directly onto the angle mirror’s field of vision - individually adapted to the viewer’s information needs, such as dashboard displays, navigation information, technical data of the vehicle or warnings. Seats constitute part of the overall mine protection concept. AUTOFLUG safety seats meet the highest safety requirements for any environment. Platform-specific customisation always offers the best possible solution – high blast resistance, vibration damping and ergonomics – with optimum weight. AUTOFLUG has a range of different safety seat systems for driver, commander, operator, troop and auxiliary/emergency seats: the AUTOFLUG OVERMATCH OPERATOR SD, for example, is the only three-dimensionally adjustable driver’s seat that covers an extremely wide percentile range thanks to its fully mechanical adjustability. The OVERMATCH OPERATOR SD is the current driver’s seat in the mine- protected version of the KPz Leopard 2, as well as in the M1 ABRAMS. The current seats also take into account the increased requirements in terms of payload and volume resulting from the introduction of modern soldier systems (e.g. IdZ-ES Infantryman of the Future - Extended System). thus also providing long-lasting protection for moving objects. Due to the IR jamming and decoying effects, all TV-, EO-, IR-, IIR-, laser- and SACLOS-guided weapons can be effectively countered. Rosy_L comprises a basic system with control unit and one to four launchers per vehicle. A ‘one click adapter’ assures rapid mounting to or removal from the vehicle, without tools. The Coded Visibility programme at DARPA is developing new types of smoke protection intended to produce customised, controllable and safe camouflage smoke agents to interrupt the enemy’s line of sight but allow own forces a clear view or reconnaissance possibilities. DARPA distinguishes between passive and active approaches – the former involving a smoke agent that can be seen through on one side, while the longer-term technical goal is to actively and dynamically control the smoke agent in order to coordinate with one’s own sensors. The non-lethal protection system (NLS) developed by KMW can be vehicle-mounted as a self-sufficient system that can swivel to face the threat, attached to existing weapon stations, or used by dismounted forces from an approximate effective range of some 20 metres. The spray and pulse pressure system can be used under vehicle protection, as a portable device or in an object/camp protection mode. It generates a mist mixed with irritants, extinguishing agents (for fire suppression) or paint additives, thus creating manoeuvre room in threat situations. Effective range is approximately five metres. Further passive means of protection include acoustic and laser 3D shooter detection systems. European providers include Microflown AVISA, Rheinmetall, ConVi GmbH, Thales, Safran Electronics & Defence and CILAS. The point of origin of incoming fire is automatically detected and countermeasures can be initiated quickly. Systems are frequently networked with RWS or other effectors in order to be able to respond directly to enemy fire, saving the operator much searching and aligning time: the man-in-the-loop only has to initiate the fire command. Among the many RWS manufacturers, one of the smallest, lightest and most stable is Australian firm Electro Optic Systems (EOS), distributed in Europe through Diehl Defence. Armour and Passive Protection Even today, ballistic protection is predominantly achieved using armoured steel. For better protection with less weight, modular solutions are already in use, including modular composite technologies, mine protection, IED protection and interior protection. Adaptive, modular liners, for example, can be used as additional interior protection, and can also be hung inside vehicles as an option, should additional, non-permanent protection be f g Smoke grenade launchers integrated on a remote weapon station. (Photo: NST) Saab’s BARRACUDA is available as a net, for soldiers or vehicles on the move. (Photo: Saab)
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