Removable blast protection

Abstract

A detachable blast structure for use as an underbelly device of a personnel cabin for a vehicle, is disclosed. The blast structure comprises at least one modular section attachable to the underbody, and means for attaching and detaching the modular sections to the underbody. The modular sections are separately attachable and detachable from portions of the vehicle as needed, depending on the situations and environment the vehicle will be exposed to and the level of protection required.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A detachable blast structure for use as an exterior underbody protection for a personnel cabin for a vehicle, the structure comprising:
 at least one modular section attachable to a side of the underbody;   means for attaching and detaching the modular sections to the underbody.   
     
     
         2 . The detachable blast structure of  claim 1 , wherein the modular sections are comprised of at least one material selected from the group consisting of a high-strength low-alloy steel, a hardened aluminum, or a high carbon steel. 
     
     
         3 . The detachable blast structure of  claim 1 , wherein an air gap is formed between the attached modular sections and the interior of the cabin. 
     
     
         4 . The detachable blast structure of  claim 1 , wherein an air gap is formed between the attached modular sections and a blast center. 
     
     
         5 . The detachable blast structure of  claim 1 , wherein the means for attaching and detaching comprises a fastener. 
     
     
         6 . The detachable blast structure of  claim 5 , wherein a blast load is transferred between the detachable blast structure and the cabin through the use of a load transfer comb/key component. 
     
     
         7 . The detachable blast structure of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one exterior shield structure formed within at least one modular section. 
     
     
         8 . An armored blast system for attachment to and detachment from a vehicle having a cabin hull, the system comprising:
 a plurality of modular panels attachable to and removable from a portion of the cabin hull; and,   a means for attaching and detaching the panels.   
     
     
         9 . The armored blast system of  claim 8 , wherein the modular panels are comprised of a multi-layered structure. 
     
     
         10 . The armored blast system of  claim 9 , wherein the modular panels are separately attachable to the cabin hull. 
     
     
         11 . The armored blast system of  claim 10 , wherein the modular panels are separately attachable to an underbody of the cabin hull. 
     
     
         12 . The armored blast system of  claim 10 , wherein the modular panels are separately attachable to a blast center of the cabin hull. 
     
     
         13 . The armored blast system of  claim 8 , wherein the means for attaching and detaching the panels include fasteners. 
     
     
         14 . The armored blast system of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one exterior shield structure formed within the modular panels. 
     
     
         15 . An armored blast protection system for attachment to and detachment from a vehicle having a cabin hull, the system comprising:
 a plurality of modular panels attachable to and removable from a portion of the cabin hull;   a means for attaching and detaching the panels; and,   a comb and wedge fastening system, wherein a blast load is transferred between the modular panels and the cabin hull through the comb and wedge fastening system.