Required capabilities of a high-explosive projectile for active protection systems

Concept of an active protection system on combat vehicles with high-explosive fragmentation interceptor projectile is presented in this paper. Development process and characteristics of the active protection system are highly dependent on performance characteristics of an interceptor projectile. The interceptor projectile generating frontal spray of steel spherical fragments was considered. The research on design features of contemporary rocket-propelled anti-tank projectiles was done in order to define required capabilities of the projectile for active protection systems. Vulnerability of an anti-tank projectile was analyzed according to its dimensions and design of main subsystems. Representative models of different types of anti-tank projectiles were considered for vulnerability assessment. Results of minimal fragment number density and minimal impact velocity are presented and the most significant conclusions are made.