EMA (electro-magnetic armor) passes first live test

United Defense Integrates Electro-Magnetic Armor Technology on Combat Vehicle and Defeats Live Threats

"The successful completion of live-fire testing of an EMA package on a hybrid-electric vehicle demonstrator illustrates the type of multi-hit capability that can be integrated into vehicle systems at significantly lower weight to provide a level of protection similar to reactive packages," said Tom Hutson, project manager for United Defense."

"EMA technology can significantly enhance the survivability of vehicle systems as part of a layered approach ultimately aimed at increasing soldier protection. EMA uses high voltages and currents to defeat shaped charge warheads such as those from Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs). Research in reliable power management and delivery at lower volumes and weights for Pulse Forming Networks (PFNs) allows the system level integration, experimentation and demonstration of EMA on a combat vehicle."

Entire article


Shields up.


[edit on 22-3-2005 by NWguy83]

Electric Armor Blunts The Blow

Popular Mechanics


Electricity may protect tanks more effectively than steel, ceramics or outward-exploding reactive armor. Army scientists are investigating two technologies. Both use a fiberoptic sensor to detect when a round has struck, and then respond by turning on electricity. In one approach, the current alters the thickness of a special shape-memory alloy, thereby increasing its resistance to penetration. The second method, uses electricity to create a powerful magnetic field. The magnetic force pulls apart the concentrated jet of metal created when a round strikes a tank's armor. Instead of streaming into the tank, the molten metal expands and dissipates harmlessly. Specifics of both projects remain classified.


I believe this article is from 2003.

I'm gonna have to make me some of that.

Ok so the tanks of the future will weigh less than today's yet still have the same protection and firepower. Nice Cant wit till they come out with a prototype vehicle equipped with EMA.






West Point, Out.

The FCS was going to use EMA along with it's EM gun (railgun) and some other EMP weapon, it would also have a conventional cannon.

But it was scrapped for a more conventional family of systems.

Infantry will have a new combat uniform that uses nano-technology to extract a bullet and heal the wound IIRC.

That's some interesting stuff!

Originally posted by GrOuNd_ZeRo
The FCS was going to use EMA along with it's EM gun (railgun) and some other EMP weapon

Wow it would be just like the DDX only if it was powered by elecricity.

I like that nano uniform concept combine that baby with a exoskeleton suit and we have our self super-soldiers.

Whilst this all sounds great it provides no protection against kinetic energy penetrators. It seems KE weapons are growing in scope, so we can expect to see far more of them in the future.

I can see it now:

Gunner: "Commander, we have incoming fire from the south"
Commander: "Roger Gun....Driver, increase power to the port shields..."
Driver: "On it.."



Man, I know its war an all, but this sure is neato!!

Wasn't there a thread a while back asking if Startrek like energy shield systems were posible?

I guess this answers that question and shows the first step to it already works.

It'd be nice to see this go on airliners...defeat that stinger missile threat maybe? (or at least lessen it)....

Nah... you think the Government is going to put this on Airliners? This is going to be hot stuff when it comes out to advanced for Airliners. Although this could have practical applications I don't thinkthink will be available to the public for a long time.

Originally posted by Gazrok
It'd be nice to see this go on airliners...defeat that stinger missile threat maybe? (or at least lessen it)....

Well quite simply it wouldn't work. The armour only disperses the jet of a shaped charge. Most SAM's rely on the blast and fragmentation of the warhead, therefore negating the efectiveness of the armour.

Originally posted by Gazrok
It'd be nice to see this go on airliners...defeat that stinger missile threat maybe? (or at least lessen it)....

I don't think stinger misilles are so big problem, because they are not powerfull enough to take down 747 for example. Besides there is no need for sophisticated systems just few flares.