Louver armor

Abstract

An armor module for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction. The armor module comprising a ballistic armor unit, and a low density arrangement providing the entire armor module with an average density lower than that of water.

1 . An armor module for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction, the armor module comprising:
 a ballistic armor unit; and   a low density arrangement providing the entire armor module with an average density lower than that of water.   
     
     
         2 . The armor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the low density arrangement includes an amount of low density material sufficient for maintaining the entire armor module afloat in water. 
     
     
         3 . The armor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the low density arrangement is constituted by a float module including a cavity filled with a fluid having a density lower than that of water. 
     
     
         4 . The armor module according to  claim 3 , wherein the float module is constituted by an empty container having, or constituted by a sealing cover configured for hermetically sealing the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The armor module according to  claim 3 , wherein the low density arrangement is constituted by a float module containing within its cavity both the ballistic armor unit and the low density material. 
     
     
         6 . The armor module according to  claim 5 , wherein the sealing cover is configured for hermetically encapsulating the entire armor module. 
     
     
         7 . The armor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the ballistic armor unit is constituted by any combination of the following:
 a single armor layer;   a laminated armor panel comprising a plurality of armor layers; or   an armor arrangement comprising a plurality of armor members/elements.   
     
     
         8 . The armor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the low density arrangement is a solid structure used as a substrate for attachment thereto, or placing thereon, of armor elements of the ballistic armor unit. 
     
     
         9 . The armor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the low density arrangement includes a first member having a first mounting surface and a second member having a second mounting surface, the arrangement being such that the armor elements of the ballistic armor unit are placed on the first mounting surface and then clamped between the first member and the second member. 
     
     
         10 . The armor module according to  claim 1 , wherein the ballistic armor unit includes a plurality of armor slats. 
     
     
         11 . The armor module according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the slats is supported at each of two respective ends thereof by a support member. 
     
     
         12 . The armor module according to  claim 11 , wherein the slats are detachably mounted onto the support members so that any individual slat can be removed from the ballistic armor unit without affecting any of the other armor slats. 
     
     
         13 . The armor module according to  claim 12 , wherein the support members are formed with individual slots extending therealong allowing each of the slats to be slidingly received within the support members. 
     
     
         14 . The armor module according to  claim 13 , wherein spaces between two neighboring slats are filled with a low density material constituting the low density arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . The armor module according to  claim 1 , wherein a stand-off distance between the armor module and the body to be protected is configured to be modified in accordance with operational requirements. 
     
     
         16 . The armor module according to  claim 15 , wherein the stand-off is configured to be modified by at least one of the following arrangements: a pantograph arrangement, a piston arrangement, or a tilting arrangement. 
     
     
         17 . The armor module according to  claim 10 , wherein the slats are configured for being dynamically received within the armor unit so as to allow modification of the angle thereof with respect to an expected impact direction. 
     
     
         18 . The armor module according to  claim 17 , wherein, in operation, the slats are configured to assume a first angle with respect to the expected impact direction whereas during transportation of the armor module the slats are configured to assume a second, smaller angle facilitating a more compact configuration of the armor module. 
     
     
         19 . The armor module according to  claim 10 , wherein the armor slat has a strike edge configured, when mounted onto the body, for facing the expected impact direction and a rear edge facing the body to be protected, and wherein the strike edge is formed with cut-outs providing the strike edge with a saw-like shape. 
     
     
         20 . The armor module according to  claim 10 , wherein the slats are positioned so that a rear edge thereof is supported by the body to be protected itself. 
     
     
         21 . A method for the production of a slat armor module including a ballistic armor unit and a low density arrangement providing the entire armor module with an average density lower than that of water, the method comprising:
 providing a low density material;   shaping the low density material to have a surface constituted by a plurality of consecutive sub-surfaces angled to one another; and   attaching slats to said sub-surfaces so that the low density material serves as a substrate for the slats.   
     
     
         22 . A slat armor module configured for protecting a body against a threat having an anticipated impact direction, the slat armor module comprising:
 a plurality of slat units each of which extends along a first longitudinal direction, the plurality of slat units being spaced apart along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and   at least one support arrangement;   wherein each of the plurality of slats is slidingly mounted onto the at least one support arrangement and is individually slidingly detachable from the at least one support arrangement.