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Israel unveils tank protection system
Israel Tuesday revealed a system it says will protect vehicles -- from Humvees to tanks -- against attacks launched from a very close range. The system could help American troops in Iraq if they stay there long enough, indicated the head of the government's Rafael armaments development authority, retired Vice Admiral Yedidia Yaari. Yaari told United Press International militant attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq were the kind of "a reality to which (Israel) had to prepare." The system, called Trophy, detects incoming threats, such as anti-tank rockets, and sprays tungsten balls at them. The tungsten disintegrates a rocket-propelled grenade for example. It thus neutralizes the threat without causing an explosion, Yaari said. | Little Claymore mines on the exterior of the tank? |
The danger of attacks on cumbersome tanks in tight urban areas has concerned officers. Palestinians eventually approached tanks and even stole equipment. "The problem has been attacks from a very close range," Yaari said. The new system provides all round protection from attacks launched from as close as 30 to 60 feet away, he said. | I'd imagine it would "shred" pretty much anything at that range. Wonder how tight the pattern is. |
Israel showed the system to U.S. officers and, according to Yaari, those who saw it were excited.
Posted by: Steve 2005-03-08 |
