Apparatus for extending and retracting an armor system for defeating high energy projectiles

Abstract

An armor system for protecting a vehicle from a projectile is disclosed. The armor system includes a telescoping frame having an attaching member attaching the telescoping frame to a hull of the vehicle, a support member, and at least one movable cross member attached between the attaching member and the support member. A distance between the hull and the support member varies based on the position of the at least one cross member. The armor system also includes a projectile-defeating assembly attached to the support member.

1 . An armor system for protecting a vehicle from a projectile, the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
 a telescoping frame including an attaching member attaching the telescoping frame to the hull, a support member, and at least one movable cross member attached between the attaching member and the support member, wherein a distance between the hull and the support member varies based on the position of the at least one cross member; and   a projectile-defeating assembly attached to the support member.   
     
     
         2 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly includes a projectile-defeating multi-component layer having a component-component spacing based on a predetermined width. 
     
     
         3 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly includes a netting layer. 
     
     
         4 . The armor system of  claim 3 , wherein the netting layer has a mesh size based on a predetermined projectile width. 
     
     
         5 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly has a projectile-defeating layer including a nonexplosive reactive armor. 
     
     
         6 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly has a projectile-defeating layer including a transparent material. 
     
     
         7 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly has a projectile-defeating layer including explosive reactive armor. 
     
     
         8 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly has a projectile-defeating layer including low-obliquity reactive armor. 
     
     
         9 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly has a projectile-defeating layer including composite lightweight adaptable reactive armor. 
     
     
         10 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly has a projectile-defeating layer including one or more of electrokinetic armor, electrothermal armor, and electromagnetic armor. 
     
     
         11 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly is mounted on a side of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly is mounted on a roof of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The armor system of  claim 1 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly is mounted on an undercarriage of the vehicle. 
     
     
         14 . An armor system for protecting a vehicle from a projectile, the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
 a telescoping frame including a first support member attaching the telescoping frame to the hull, a second support member, and at least one movable cross member attached between the first and second support members, wherein a distance between the first and second support members varies based on the position of the at least one cross member; and   a projectile-defeating assembly attached to the second support member.   
     
     
         15 . The armor system of  claim 14 , wherein the projectile-defeating assembly includes a netting layer having a mesh size based on a predetermined projectile width. 
     
     
         16 . The armor system of  claim 14 , further including a second cross member, and wherein the first and second cross members are rotatably attached between the first support member and the second support member. 
     
     
         17 . The armor system of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second cross members are rotatably attached to one another and arranged in a scissors-type configuration between the first and second support members. 
     
     
         18 . The armor system of  claim 16 , wherein the distance between the first and second support members varies based on a rotation of the cross members. 
     
     
         19 . The armor system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the first and second support members includes an elongated slot, each of the elongated slots slidably and rotatably receiving a fastener for attaching a respective cross member. 
     
     
         20 . The armor system of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second cross members are foldable, and wherein the distance between the first and second support members varies based on a degree of folding. 
     
     
         21 . The armor system of  claim 16 , wherein the armor system is provided in kit form. 
     
     
         22 . An armor system for protecting a vehicle from a projectile, the vehicle having a hull, the system comprising:
 a telescoping frame including a first support member attaching the telescoping frame to the hull, a second support member, and at least one movable cross member attached between the first and second support members, wherein a distance between the first and second support members varies based on the position of the at least one cross member; and   a projectile-defeating assembly attached to the second support member, wherein the projectile-defeating assembly includes a netting layer having a mesh size based on a predetermined projectile width.   
     
     
         23 . The armor system of  claim 22 , further comprising a break-away device disposed between the telescoping frame and the hull.