WO2009010808A1

WO2009010808A1 - Flexible web to confront rocket propelled grenades

Info

Publication number: WO2009010808A1
Application number: PCT/GR2008/000050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Konstantinos Soukos
Original assignee: Soukos Robots S.A.
Priority date: 2007-07-13
Filing date: 2008-07-04
Publication date: 2009-01-22
Also published as: EP2167903A1; EP2167903B1

Abstract

The flexible web to confront rocket propelled grenades is compromised of at least one grid (1) upon which the incoming grenades collide. This grid (1) is created by crossed strings (2). On the points where the strings (2) cross, solid connectors (3) with cuts (6) are placed. The solid connectors sustain the strings (2) in place. During the impact of the grenade on the grid (1), mechanical deformation occurs on the front conical metallic ogive (muzzle) which neutralizes the ignition mechanism. As a result, the grenade does not ignite (explode) on impact with the target. The flexible web is placed on the outside of the static or mobile target we wish to protect, ensuring a stand off distance.

Description

FLEXIBLE WEB TO CONFRONTROCKETPROPELLED

GRENADES

The present invention is related to a flexible web used to confront Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs). This invention is suitable for protecting static or mobile objects and especially buildings, e.g. Embassies, governmental buildings etc against attacks made with Rocket Propelled Grenades. The protection of a particular target from RPGs is accomplished by covering it with the flexible web of the present invention.

The protection of the referred constructions, is achieved by the instantaneous mechanical damage of the outer metallic ogive of the grenade exactly at the same time as it impacts on the protective web, due to its high momentum.

RPGs type 7 are cheap, easy to find, very popular and extremely lethal weapons. The attack of a target by an RPG of this type results to its total destruction and for that reason they are mainly used against vehicles, battle tanks and helicopters.

The present invention refers to a flexible web capable to protect vehicles, helicopters and buildings from RPGs.

The flexible web of the invention does not require any kind of electronic device to support its operation, is very flexible and its weight is approx. less than 4 kg / m .

The RPGs¹ protective web is very easily installed in the outer surface of any kind of buildings, and therefore is ideal for the protection against terrorist attacks in high security buildings such as embassies, military installations, government buildings, industries etc. The protective web is placed on the outside surface of the object required to be protected and in a small standoff distance, few centimeters are adequate.

Furthermore due to its' lightweight and its' easy installation it can also be used to protect helicopters and all types of vehicles. The present invention can be manufactured in multiple dimensions without the need of frames. It is so flexible that it can be rolled and unrolled very quickly.

Though the creation of the present invention is simple, however it is very durable against multiple and simultaneous or near simultaneous RPG attacks. Moreover it has distinctive appearance making it very hard to be spotted by enemy forces.

The present invention consists of at least one grid (1) upon which the incoming grenades collide.

The grid (1) of the protective web is formed by strings (2). The diameter of the strings (2) can be from 2 to 10mm. At the points where the strings intersect, solid connectors (3) are placed, retaining the strings in place.

Preferably, suitable materials for manufacturing the strings (2) are metals, or metallic threads of variable strength, or metallic alloys or synthetic materials of high breaking strength (like carbon fibers or/and dyneema or/and steel rope) or any possible combination of the above materials.

The protective web of the present invention is designed in such a way so that the empty spaces of the meshes (4) of the grid cannot be less than 55mm. Specifically, those empty spaces may have square or rectangular shape, though any other formulation and shape of the mesh is possible.

The solid connectors (3) that restrain the strings (2) of the grid (1) can be manufactured of material of high specific weight and hardness. The smallest possible dimension of the solid connectors (3) that restrain the strings (2) is 6mm and the biggest is 30mm.

The present invention is necessary for an easy and quickly protection of many mobile and real estate assets, automotive and remote-controlled constructions, premises and military or civilian equipment that are targeted with RPGs. It is also used to protect armored or not vehicles, airplanes, boats and window glasses from attacks by RPGs. It is necessary for the immediate and safe mechanical destruction of launched lethal RPGs 7 grenades, used to destroy the targets we wish to protect. The RPGs-7's web protection operates like a protective shield against RPG-7 grenades' collision, but not against grenades of the NADER type or similar.

The above results are achieved due to the fact that at the points where the strings (2) intersect each other, solid connectors (3) are placed in such a manner as to retain the strings (2) of the grid (1) on their place, but also to cause mechanical damage on the ogive of the grenade upon its impact with the web. This results to the prevention of the activation of the grenade. In other words, when the grenade hits the web that covers the target, it is not activated.

The protective web for countering RPGs according to the present invention, has many advantages.

The web does not use explosives, chemical or toxic substances, laser beams, nuclear energy, or electric energy nor any kind of emitted radiofrequencies or other kind of electromagnetic radiation to achieve its results. Its use is safe and there is no danger of causing unwanted injuries or even collateral loses.

The functioning of the web of the present invention does not require an electronic device. Therefore the present invention is very simple to use.

Having ensured the simple functioning of the system, according to the present invention, total protection is offered, to humans and assets that are covered by the web against the destructive and lethal results of RPG 7's target attacks.

The present invention has the ability to resist to several hits of RPGs without losing its effectiveness.

Moreover, the flexible web is transparent so that people being on the inside of the object that covers can see outside, for example in a vehicle.

To further simplify the present invention, its designing and manufacturing were made in such a way so as to be possible to be produced in several shapes and dimensions according to a specific application. The installation and also the removal of the protective web from the protected construction are made in an easy way without the need of specialized personnel or of many persons' participation.

The RPG after launch has very high momentum and when it impacts on the web has a great force. As a result the solid connectors that retain the strings and the strings themselves also, cause mechanical destruction of the grenade's ogive. The forces applied on the points where the metallic ogive of the grenade touches the web, cause direct compression of the ogive at those points. Consequently, the destruction of the main body of the grenade is achieved and also of the hollow charge and of the electrical conductors that transfer the detonation command from the piezoelectric crystal, located at the tip of the grenade, to the detonator. This is achieved because the tip of the grenade, where the piezoelectric crystal is located, enters the empty spaces of the web i.e. the grenade is deactivated before it detonates.

The deformation of the metallic grenade's ogive, results to that the electrical conductors that transfer the electrical energy, needed to trigger the detonator, produced by the piezoelectric crystal, is short circuited. In that way the detonation of the hollow charge of the grenade and the lethal results of it's use are prevented.

Claims

1. Flexible web to confront Rocket Propelled Grenades, comprising from at least one grid (1) upon which the incoming grenades collide, and

5 characterized by the fact that the grid (1) consists of crossing strings (2), whereas on the points where the strings (2) cross each other, solid connectors (3) with cuts (6) are placed that restrain the strings (2) in place, using silver welding or welding or alternatively by tighten the back (5) surface of the connectors (3).

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2. Flexible web to confront RPGs, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the strings (2) of the grid (1) have diameter from 2 to 10 mm and are made of carbon fibers or/and dyneema or/and wire rope of high strength.

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3. Flexible web to confront RPGs, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the solid connectors (3) that restrain the strings (2) of the grid are made of any material of high specific weight and hardness and that their front surface (4) can be shaped with different designs.

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4. Flexible web to confront RPGs, according to claims 1 and 3, characterized by the fact that the width and the height of the connector (3), as defined on the description, are between 6mm and 30mm, whereas the depth of the connector (3), as defined on the description, can be

25 maximum 30mm.

5. Flexible web to confront RPGs, according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized by the fact that the solid connectors (3) have on their back (5) surface transverse cuts (6) that intersect on the vertical axis of symmetry of the connector (3), with width from 2 to 10mm and depth at

30. least 3mm greater than the sum of the diameters of the strings (2) and at least 3mm smaller than the depth of the connector, to house and restrain the strings (2).

6. Flexible web to confront RPGs, according to claim 1, where the empty spaces (7) can be square shaped or can be differently shaped

35 according to the distances between the connectors (3) and the angle at which the strings (2) cross.

7. Flexible web to confront RPGs, according to claims 1 and 6, characterized by the fact that the empty spaces (7) of the grid (1) have minimum distance of facing sides or connectors (3) 55mm.

8. Flexible web to confront RPGs, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it can be manufactured in different dimensions and shapes.

9. Usage of the flexible web to confront for countering RPGs, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is used to protect mobile and static assets by covering them with a stand off distance of 150mm at least and without the need of a mounting frame but with appropriate mounting fixtures.