Kevlar parachutes to offer protection against RPGs

Posted on Saturday, November 25 2006 @ 7:05 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
A U.S. firm is working on a way to protect military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan against rocket-propelled grenades:
Trying to destroy an RPG in flight requires incredible precision and accuracy. So Control Products based in New Jersey, US, reckons a screen of rapidly deployed parachute could provide simpler, yet still effective, protection against such assaults.

RPGs move relatively slowly so there should be enough time, following detection by radar, to throw up a physical barrier, the company says. Radar detection would trigger a volley of low-altitude rockets to fire from a batch of plastics launch tubes positioned at the perimeter of a camp, or around a vehicle.

Each rocket will tow a modified braking parachute, made from wide weave of Kevlar. The mesh is wide enough to allow air through, so that the rocket can fly, but provides an airborne net to trap an inbound RPG and bring it down. Firing several rockets simultaneously creates the equivalent of a giant flying fishing net.
More details at NewscientistTech.


About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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