August 14, 2007: For several
years, up until 2003, the U.S. Navy mentioned
electromagnetic armor, or DAPS (Dynamic Armor Protection System) being
developed for the planned CVN-21 class of carriers. The basic technology behind
DAPS was not complex. Areas above the waterline would have two layers of thin
armor, separated by a small air space. The two layers of armor would be
electrified, and when the armor was hit by a shaped charge (favored for cruise
missile warheads) the jet of superhot plasma, formed by the shaped charge
warhead going off, would be broken up by the electromagnetic field formed when
the two layers of armor were forced together. The big problem with DAPS was the
huge amount of electricity required when the system was turned on. However, in the next decade or so, warship
power plants are expected catch up with the needs of DAPS systems.
DAPS is also being developed
for armored vehicles, and enough power can be generated by these vehicles to
support a system that protects against small shaped charges, such as an RPG, or
other small rocket. More power, than current vehicles generate, would be needed
to protect against the larger shaped charge warheads of ATGMs (anti-tank guided
missiles.)
