Reply With QuoteWhoever makes such a system for combat aircraft first is bound to earn some $$. It seems that hitting a bullet with a bullet is spreading from ballistic missiles to non-ballistic too.
Trophy tank defense system operational
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satelli...cle%2FShowFullThe IDF Ground Forces Command has declared the Trophy anti-tank missile defense system operational after it underwent a series of tests last week that surpassed expectations regarding the system's capability.
The Trophy system, developed by Rafael, creates a hemispheric protected zone around armored vehicles such as the Merkava tank, which operated prominently in Lebanon. The system is designed to detect and track a threat and counters it with a launched projectile that intercepts the anti-tank missile.
The test was held last week in an IDF base in southern Israel. The system was installed on old tanks and was tested in two positions - static and in motion. According to defense officials, it succeeded in intercepting all of the enemy anti-tank missiles.
Foreign military attaches from around the world were present at the test site and have expressed interest in possibly purchasing the system for their militaries.
The IDF sped up development of the Trophy following the Second Lebanon War during which IDF Merkava tanks came under heavy anti-tank missile fire from Hizbullah. The Trophy has already been installed on a number of Merkava Mk IV tanks in the 401st Armored Brigade and by the end of the year will be automatically installed on tanks that come off the production line.
While the Trophy will be installed on tanks, the IDF recently announced plans to equip the Namer armored personnel carrier with the Iron Fist missile defense system, developed by Israel Military Industries.
The Iron Fist consists of a radar and passive optical system that detect incoming threats and destroy them by using a combustible blast interceptor within a fraction of a second. Unlike the Trophy which fires off a large number of projectiles, the Iron Fist intercepts incoming threats by using a rocket the shape of a mortar that destroys the threat by using a blast effect which crushes its soft components or deflects the missile or kinetic rod in their flight.
Whoever makes such a system for combat aircraft first is bound to earn some $$. It seems that hitting a bullet with a bullet is spreading from ballistic missiles to non-ballistic too.
Hate to be supporting troops around one of those if someone shoots an RPG at it though...
good point....
Why trophy for tanks and iron fist for other armored vehicles ?
I read that Rafael considers on making a Trophy for helicopters that will defend them from missiles,but i dont know what is going with it.Originally Posted by JRT
The fact that the system provides 360 degree coverage doesn't mean that everything within that radius would be hit by the intercepters... only the incoming munition.
x2
The system was designed to minimize the collateral damage to the surrounding troops - it's basically a kind of projectile fired on RPG rocket. And there is much higher probability a soldier near tank will be hurt from the RPG explosion, than from Trophy.
To support both Rafael and IMI. The goal is to merge these systems somehow when they evolve. Trial by real enemy fire would also aid to both systems.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Trophy destroy the incoming RPG round by...blowing it up? Seems that damage to surrounding infantry would be substantial, even in the best of scenarios.
And it would be better to let the RPG blow up by hitting the AFV (posing a threat both to the crew itself and the supporting infantry)?
The design specification is to minimise damage to surrounding troops in MOUT situations.
"Substantial" ? It's a RPG warhead, not a JDAM.
I love the press reports...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090807...tarytechnologyJERUSALEM (AFP) – The Israeli army will begin equipping its tanks with a new anti-missile system, following stinging losses due to missiles fired by Hezbollah militants in the 2006 Lebanon war, officials said.
The Trophy system uses radar to track incoming missiles and fires a projectile to explode the missiles before they reach their target, a military official said.
Tests of the system were successful and it will be installed on the latest generation Merkava IV tanks.
According the private television station Channel 10 the system is expensive, costing around 350,000 dollars (245,000 euros) per unit.
Israel has been searching for a new defence against missiles after Hezbollah militants during the Second Lebanon War scored a number of damaging strikes against the Merkavas, considered one of the strongest tanks in the world.
Israel media have reported that of 25 modern guided missiles fired by Hezbollah militants, a quarter penetrated the tank's formidable armour and caused death or injuries among crew members.
So HZB only fired 25 modern missiles?
what do you think an RPG is supposed to do?
I'm reasonably sure they tend to blow up no matter what you do to them
The keyword is modern.
I presume they mean 25 KORNETs launched. The rest being older Malyutka, Fagot and TOW.
But then, journalists are jounalists...
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