Protection of vehicles against mines

The paper presents the threats posed by mines and IEDs (improvised explosive devices) to vehicles conducting different combat operations. The typical reaction of a pressure impulse after explosion was presented. The parameters of a pressure impulse having an impact on the hull underside were discussed. The graphic impact of the shape of the hull underside on the propagation of pressure wave resulting from the detonation of the explosive was presented. The structural solutions applied now in the world, able to protect the hull underside against mines, IEDs and RPG-rockets were discussed. The soldier protection means in form of seats with safety belts and protective clothing capable of minimising the impact of an explosion on soldiers in a vehicle were mentioned. A concept of a flexible explosive reactive armour being mounted underneath the hull of an armoured vehicle was presented. The structure of protective armour and its assembly to an armoured vehicle as well as the destructive impact of mines and IEDs containing both blasting charge and shaped charge utilising the principle of either the EFP or a shaped charged jet were discussed. Structural analysis on solutions used world-wide in vehicles resistant to mines was performed and their resistance to mine explosion under the hull and under the wheels was given. The idea of a vehicle with increased resistance to various mines, IEDs and RPG-rockets was presented. The vehicle's hull with suspended flexible explosive reactive armour having the rumple zone in the lower part and the RPG-net on sides, which is mounted to hull's movable arms was proposed. The advantages of proposed above structural solutions were discussed