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Exeter
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Harkonnen
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26.05.2006 18:11:44
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Танки; Евреи и Израиль;
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Iron Fist, наоборот, декларируется как "безопасный" КАЗ
Пригодный для оснащения даже небронированных машин. А еврейская "Арена" - это Trophy, скорее.
Вот статья про Iron Fist:
IMI unveils Iron Fist APS
ALON BEN-DAVID JDW Correspondent
Tel Aviv
Israel Military Industries (IMI) has concluded the development of an active protection system (APS) dubbed 'Iron Fist', which is claimed to be capable of defeating a wide range of unguided anti-tank rockets, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and anti-tank kinetic energy (KE) rounds.
Receiving details of the formerly classified system, Jane's has learned that during final demonstration tests conducted in November-December 2005, Iron Fist successfully intercepted a range of anti-tank projectiles, including KE rounds.
Designed to neutralise the threat without initiating the warhead, the system could be installed on unarmoured vehicles, as the interception does not create a blast and fragmentation. "The system's interceptor is somewhat like a mortar round, carrying insensitive munitions blast explosive in a combustible envelope," Yuval Karakookly, head of the APS business unit at IMI, told Jane's. "The idea is that the interceptor creates a blast wave that dismantles the threat without initiating the warhead. During the tests we have shown how the interceptor's blast separates the high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead from the tail, deflagrating the warhead's explosives but not generating an explosion," he said. "This, combined with the interceptor's consumed envelope, ensures minimal collateral damage and no fragmentation out of the interceptor or the threat, enabling the system to protect even unarmoured vehicles."
Developed over the past 20 years to Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD) requirements, Iron Fist could easily be fitted on a variety of vehicles, ranging from light unarmoured to heavy armoured fighting vehicles.
"We cannot disclose all specifications of the system, but it is capable of intercepting threats at closer distances compared to existing APSs," Avi Felder, President of IMI, told Jane's. "It is also unique in its ability to defend from KE tank rounds."
The Israeli MoD only recently granted IMI permission to unveil Iron Fist (dubbed 'Hetz Dorban', 'Porcupine Dart', in the Israel Defence Force (IDF)) and to offer it to foreign customers. Iron Fist will be unveiled at Eurosatory 2006 in Paris in June.
The system employs a radar made by IAI subsidiary Elta with four antennas installed on the four corners of the vehicle. The radar detects and tracks incoming threats to the vehicle at close range. It is connected to a computerised control unit, which automatically assigns and operates the interceptor launchers. The control unit calculates the estimated trajectory of the threat and determines whether and when to activate the launchers.
Two launchers are installed on the vehicle, each covering a 270º sector, providing some overlap. Each launcher is armed with two interceptors, which are loaded manually.
The system does not aim for a 'hit to kill' impact: when intercepting weapons carrying a HEAT warhead the interception will occur once the interceptor has passed the incoming missile's nose and above its middle section. As seen in the tests, the interceptor's blast throws the warhead downwards, while igniting the warhead's explosives. The missile's tail would usually continue to fly with minimal energy. In the interception of KE rounds, the blast will be initiated in front of the incoming threat, causing the round to tilt downwards, and while the round continues to fly the impact angle will significantly reduce its penetration capability.
"The system was designed with low-intensity conflict scenarios in mind and to meet the requirements of urban warfare," said Karakookly. "It has a modular design enabling easy and quick installation. The antennas and launchers are designed to create minimal disruption to the troops' field of vision. In case of interception, the interceptor's fuse could be ignited at a preset time or by radio command from the control unit, preventing collateral damage."
The system's control unit could be connected to any command-and-control unit inside the vehicle. The Iron Fist's radar could also be used to detect other threats, such as vehicles and personnel. "During the past year we have conducted 150 live interception scenarios," said Felder.
The first two Iron Fist prototypes were installed on an M113 armoured personnel carrier and on a Sabra Mk III upgraded M60 main battle tank (MBT). "In most of the tests, the vehicle sustained no damage at all, while in a few cases minimal damage was created by the impact of the missile's tail," Felder said. IMI is currently developing a lighter version that would fit a Humvee.
"The system has reached a maturity level that will allow it to meet the growing demand for APSs and to compete on all major contracts, such as the US Army Future Combat System or the UK Future Rapid Effects System," said Felder.
Jane's has learned that BAE Systems has already approached IMI to examine the system's suitability for some major contracts.
Compared with the recently unveiled Rafael Armament Development Authority Trophy APS, which was initially designed for heavy AFVs, IMI's Iron Fist appears to be more suitable for lighter vehicles.
Trophy's interception is based on a cloud of countermeasures that initiate the HEAT warhead and therefore the interception must be further away from the vehicle, which has to be armoured.
Trophy was recently selected to be the first APS deployed by the US, as part of the Office of Force Transformation's Project Sheriff (of Full Spectrum Effects) vehicle.
The IDF is planning to install the Trophy on its Merkava Mk 4 MBTs. There has yet been no decision on procurement of the Iron Fist.
However, IMI sees additional applications for the system: "It could be easily applied to protect naval platforms and aerial platforms, such as helicopters, which are highly threatened by anti-tank rockets," said Felder.
"Iron Fist could also be applied to provide static defence for strategic targets, being capable of defending from a wide range of rockets and missiles."
С уважением, Exeter