|
 The
FCLAS system, under development at the US Army Tank Automotive R&D
and Engineering Center (TRADEC) is one of the candidates for the
future
FASP
program. This system provides an autonomous, fast reacting
countermeasure against incoming threats, such as RPGs, anti-tank
missiles and HEAT ammunition (CE). The program development is
supported by the US Special Operations Command and the US
Department of Energy.
FCLAS can for the "close-in" element
of a larger protection suit (FSAP for
example) or as a stand-alone system. It is comprised of
a sensor and short range grenade launcher, loaded with special
fragmentation grenades with delay fuses set to intercept the
incoming threat at a range of approx. 5 meters from the protected
vehicle. The actual initiation of the explosive charge is
triggered by a side looking RF proximity fuse which senses the
incoming projectile as it passes nearby. The explosion forms a
vertical, doughnut shaped fragmentation effect that kills the
passing threat but does not effect the protected vehicle. The
system's target weight is 140 kg., to enable deployment on light
vehicles. Each grenade is equipped with a forward looking radar
mounted on the exposed tip of the grenade. Each of the FCLAS
munitions has such an integrated radar, which forms a complete
sensor, monitoring a protective hemisphere around and above the
vehicle. The Army hopes to get a prototype system of FCLAS for
testing in 2004 and an operational system, which could protect
against RPG threats, deployed with Bradley, Stryker Humvee and
military trucks (FMTV) - by 2005.
The system can be used to protect
armored and unarmored vehicles, as well as naval vessels and even
helicopters. Other utilization options include protection of fixed
locations, including military posts, buildings and even soft
targets such as tents or highly vulnerable objects such as oil and
gas tanks etc. FCLAS was awarded among the US Army Material
Comamnd's "10 greatest inventions for 2002". |
