Structure principle of Ukrainian "barrier" active protection system

The "barrier" active protection system (ZASLON) consists of a threat early warning system, a decision processing system and a countermeasure system. Because of the modular design, it can be installed without changing the structure of the vehicle, which is more convenient and faster. The protection system consists of several modules, each module is equipped with two projectiles, and the projectiles are equipped with directional killing warheads. The explosion of the warheads will produce a barrier perpendicular to the trajectory of the projectiles. The number of modules installed depends on the radian range to be protected. If all-round protection is carried out, including the top, at least 7 modules are needed, and each module weighs 50- 130 kg. The direction and speed of incoming ammunition are detected by radar, which can track the target at the speed of1200m/s. ..

Compared with the Russian "Arena" system, the "barrier" system has less influence on the inherent performance of vehicles. The "Arena" system needs to install a large millimeter-wave radar on the tank turret to increase the probability of the tank being discovered. In addition, because the interceptor magazine was installed around the turret, the original explosive reaction armor was removed, which reduced the armor protection of the tank. In contrast, Ukraine's "barrier" active protection system can be installed on the bracket above the tank track or at the back of the turret, which will not increase the probability of the tank being found: the system does not need to install a bulky radar detection system on the tank turret without any protection, which will not affect the concealment of the tank; At the same time, the "barrier" system will not have a single point of failure. Each module of the system is protected by armored shell, which can defend against the attack of infantry light weapons and shell fragments. Even if several defense modules in the whole system are destroyed, the whole system can continue to work. In contrast, once the detection radar of the "Arena" system is destroyed, the whole protection system will be completely ineffective.

When the "barrier" active protection system is started, the pull rod with intercepting ammunition in the combat module is automatically pulled out, and the internal test of the decision-making processing system is completed, and the threat early warning reconnaissance radar begins to work. The radar continuously scans the area 2 ~ 2.5m away from the tank in all directions. When the incoming ammunition is found, the active protection system quickly recognizes the attack direction and speed as a threat, launches the intercepting ammunition, and the intercepting ammunition explodes in front of the incoming ammunition, producing a large number of high-speed fragments, which are intercepted at a distance of 0.2 meters from the armored vehicle.

Due to the different types and powers of incoming ammunition, the killing and blasting effect of interceptor sometimes can't completely destroy incoming ammunition, and sometimes it can only change the flight direction of incoming ammunition or disintegrate in the air, which can also greatly reduce the destructive power of incoming ammunition.