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IBD developed an active protection concept
utilizing a kill mechanism based on blast effect. The system is
already implemented in two programs,
AAC
developed by Akers for the Swedish MOD and Shark,
developed in cooperation with Thales, for the French Army.
 blast The system uses laser warning sensors to spot threats
at very close range (five meters). The threat warning is handed over
to the countermeasures array, located in strategically located
multiple modules, which create a hemispherical coverage of the
protected platform. Based on the threat parameters, the best
location is selected for activation, launching an explosive charge
which creates a strong blast effect but without fragments, which
counteracts with the incoming projectile (IBD claims the blast
countermeasures are effective against both CE and KE threats).
The intercept is performed at a very close range (up to
two meters). The choice of such a close range is derived from the
requirement to minimize collateral damage or threat to nearby
troops. (This is also evident in another German development – the
CLARA reactive armor by Dynamit Nobel). The operating parameters of
the ADS require substantial base armor to protect the vehicle from
fragments resulting from the intercept, which maintain substantial
residual kinetic energy to create some damage to soft skinned
vehicles. The system is undergoing testing and was already proposed
for two ADS programs currently considered by European armies.
SHARK Active Protection System
The SHARK active protection system is developed under
cooperation between Thales and IBD. It is designed to protect
armored fighting vehicles from shaped charge (RPGs and anti-tank
missiles) and IED while degrading the potential threat of KE
threats. The system utilizes the distributed architecture developed
by IBD, which provides full 360 degrees hemispherical coverage, with
distributed, overlapping sensor-countermeasures modules located all
around the vehicle. Each module covers a specific sector, detecting
any threat fired toward the vehicle and engaging it by blast effect
at close-in range, specifically designed to comply with operational
restrictions of urban environment. SHARK requires about 560
microseconds to detect, analyze, and launch a countermeasure. At
this time, an incoming missile or RPG will travel some 15 meters –
which is the minimum safety zone which should be protected by the
system. The French developers claim that by using distributed
modules and close-in intercept, their system achieves much faster
reaction time, about 40% less of competing systems, while operating
at much shorter range.
The system is designed to protect from multiple attacks. Maintaining
reaction time of less than one milisecond (from threat detection to
kill), engaging targets at at close range (about 15 meters) and in
different directions. SHARK is designed to operate under all weather
conditions and is agnostic to the vehicle's or turret attitude.
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