Underbelly for an armored vehicle

Abstract

An underbelly for an armored vehicle is provided, configured for providing ballistic protection against a detonation of an explosive device detonated substantially therebelow. The underbelly comprises a central portion having a lowermost area, sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, the central portion and sidewalls constituting a main armor of the underbelly, and an auxiliary armor panel disposed so as to project downwardly from the lowermost area of the central portion. Upper portions of the sidewalls are free of any auxiliary armor panel.

1 . An underbelly for an armored vehicle, said underbelly being configured for providing ballistic protection against a detonation of an explosive device detonated substantially therebelow and comprising:
 a central portion having a lowermost area;   sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, said central portion and sidewalls constituting a main armor of the underbelly; and   an auxiliary armor panel disposed so as to project downwardly from said lowermost area of the central portion;   
     upper portions of said sidewalls being free of any auxiliary armor panel. 
   
   
       2 . An underbelly according to  claim 1 , wherein said auxiliary armor panel comprises at least one flexible layer made of ballistic fibers. 
   
   
       3 . An underbelly according to  claim 2 , wherein said ballistic fibers comprise an aramid material. 
   
   
       4 . An underbelly according to  claim 2 , wherein said auxiliary armor panel comprises a lower hard armor layer disposed below said flexible layer. 
   
   
       5 . An underbelly according to  claim 4 , wherein said lower hard armor layer has a thickness which is less than that of the central portion. 
   
   
       6 . An underbelly according to  claim 4 , wherein said central portion and said sidewalls constitute a single element. 
   
   
       7 . An underbelly according to  claim 4 , wherein said central portion is distinct from said sidewalls. 
   
   
       8 . An underbelly according to  claim 7 , being formed with a gap between said sidewalls, said gap being bridged by said central portion. 
   
   
       9 . An underbelly according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said upper portions of said sidewalls has a cross-sectional length which is at least half that of the auxiliary armor panel. 
   
   
       10 . An underbelly according to  claim 1 , wherein said central portion is bolted to said sidewalls. 
   
   
       11 . An underbelly according to  claim 1 , wherein said central portion has a substantially V-shaped cross-section defining an apex constituting part of said lowermost area. 
   
   
       12 . An underbelly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said central portion and lower hard armor layer is made of a material selected from the group comprising steel, aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and ballistic ceramic. 
   
   
       13 . An underbelly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said central portion and lower hard armor layer is made of metal having a Brinell hardness between about 370 HB and 500 HB. 
   
   
       14 . An underbelly according to  claim 13 , wherein said metal has a Brinell hardness of about 440 HB. 
   
   
       15 . An underbelly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of ribs disposed thereabove for facilitating connection to the vehicle, the ribs being designed so as to facilitate a tight connection between said sidewalls and said central portion, by using only mechanical means. 
   
   
       16 . An armored vehicle comprising an underbelly according to  claim 1 .