Principles and preliminary concepts for compliant mechanically reactive armor

This paper defines mechanically reactive armor to be a subset of reactive armor systems where mechanical armor elements transform dynamically to reject or transform energy from kinetic energy weapons into less harmful forms of energy. The physics governing ricochet and penetration are briefly reviewed, and several principles for mechanically enhancing armor systems are identified. Specific mechanical functions required by these principles were isolated. It is proposed that compliant mechanisms, including Lamina Emergent Mechanisms, are capable of offering the mechanical functions that satisfy stated armor principles and the resulting devices are referred to as compliant mechanically reactive armor (CMRA) systems. CMRA elements can be implemented in cooperation with other passive and reactive elements to provide superior armor systems. For illustration purposes, various theoretical concepts are presented to demonstrate potential elements of CMRA systems.