| A non-lethal RPG defeat concept
is the RPGNet,
incorporating a net shaped "trap" made of super-high
strength ballistic fiber, developed under a joint ONR/DARPA
program. The trap will intercept and disrupt the flight trajectory
at a safe distance from the protected vehicle.
Other techniques are proposed to protect light vehicles. These
include an airbag based RPG protection concept displayed by
Textron Systems. The Tactical Rocket Propelled Grenade Airbag
Protection System (TRAPS)
is designed to defeat RPGs by employing modified, commercial
airbag system to protect vehicles, soldiers and guard posts,
without risk of injury to nearby dismounted soldiers or non-combatants.
Both TRAPS and RPGNet are providing multi-directional protection
but since they are low-cost solutions, are designed as "one-shot"
systems and are therefore vulnerable to attacks by rocket salvos.
Other active protection systems displayed here included the
inner layer defense, developed by Northrop Grumman. The system
uses a close-in radar warning system, triggering the launch
of an interceptor from fixed fans of multiple launchers mounted
at the corners of the protected vehicles. Northrop Grumman is
also proposing the Porcupine
RPG countermeasure assembly, integrating a pack of interceptors
(4 or 8) mounted on a remotely controlled weapon station which
also carries an XM307 crew served weapon.
Another directional active protection system is the Close-In
Countermeasure System (CICM), developed by BAE Systems.
CICM was demonstrated to the US Army during the early APS evaluation
phases. According to BAE Systems, CICM will be configurable
for land vehicles and helicopters. Raytheon's Quick-Kill active
protection system, currently under development for the U.S.
Army's Future Combat Systems, has not been displayed or discussed
despite the public interest in the program.
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