Defeating advanced anti-armour rounds with active protection systems (APSs) would mark a step change in vehicle defences, but such technology must still overcome notable hurdles. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems detailed the technical challenges of engaging armour piercing fin stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) long rod penetrators with APS during a 3 February presentation at the 2021 International Armoured Vehicles online conference.
Protection technology in the West has prioritised anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) and rocket propelled grenades for a considerable time, reflecting common threats in the US led operations in Iraq and Afghanistan throughout the past two decades. The apex of this technological path has been the development and gradual fielding of hard kill APSs that are able to defeat such projectiles in flight, prior to them reaching the defended platform.
In recent years the priority has been refocused on the threat presented by conventional armour, particularly the APFSDS rounds fired by medium calibre cannons and large calibre tank guns. In this regard, APS technology is still in the early stages, as the inherent act of detecting, tracking, engaging, and defeating an APFSDS long rod penetrator is an enormous technical challenge.
An Israel Defense Forces Merkava Mk 4 fitted with the Trophy–HV APS suite, which provides 360° defence against ATGM and RPG threats. Users are keen for APS manufacturers to upgrade systems to defeat of APFSDS long rod penetrators. (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems)
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