[mdlug] OT - IR jamming

[allen]

> I think you missed one part of the physics of the copper in a EFP - it 
> becomes molten at that point and acts like a plasma cutter when it comes 
> in contact with simple armor. That is why the M1 and other advanced 
> systems employ composite armor in many places - steel on the outside for 
> conventional projectiles, and other layers of other materials 
> (classified) to stop the plasma injection. The M60 in the Nam had simple 
> steel armor easily penetrated by the Russian RPG with their cone shaped 
> copper in the explosive, so the troops would get badly burned from the 
> molten copper injecting into the tank. This copper at that point did 
> little damage other than burn everything.  So, reactive armor panels 
> were added to the outside of the steel - basically explosive charges 
> that would detonate when the molten copper entered them, thus blowing 
> the plasma away.
> -dave
>
> PS - the demolition crews world wide use this technique to topple steel 
> structures like old buildings - they have sticks of plastic explosive 
> about 2.5" in diameter with about a 1" copper piece in the shape of a 90 
> degree right angle running the length of the explosive. It will cut 
> through quite a chunk of structural steel.
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For what it's worth, you're conflating explosively-formed projectiles or 
penetrators with shaped charges which produce a jet of molten copper not 
a solid, bullet-shaped projectile.

The difference shows up best with the utility of the slat armor used on 
Strykers which detonates the the RPG warhead prematurely thus robbing it 
of effectiveness but is essentially useless against an EFP.

The shaped-charge, in order to be effective, has to detonate within a 
fairly narrow minimum and maximum distance in order for the copper jet 
to either form, at the minimum distance, or remain in a solid stream at 
the maximum distance. EFPs are not so encumbered being effective from 
substantially greater distances.

The shaped-charge you refer too is a good example of the difference. A 
half inch or so beyond its maximum range and it's ineffective. An EFP is 
effective from at least tens of yards.

That sensitivity to conditions is also how one type of active armor 
works. The explosive sandwiched between the steel layers of active armor 
detonates quickly enough to upset the conditions necessary to form a 
coherent jet of molten copper rendering the munition ineffective. 
Although I'm not certain, I'd venture a guess that this type of active 
armor is ineffective against an EFP.

If anyone's interested in building an Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space 
Modulator I've got a neutronium barrel - practically new - that I can 
contribute to the project. Full disclosure: the anti-matter containment 
field is a big flaky.

Allen