WO2011139307A2

WO2011139307A2 - Mine resistant vehicle flexible underbody layer

Info

Publication number: WO2011139307A2
Application number: PCT/US2010/060515
Authority: WO
Inventors: James E. White
Original assignee: Force Protection Technologies, Inc
Priority date: 2009-12-15
Filing date: 2010-12-15
Publication date: 2011-11-10
Also published as: WO2011139307A3

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to an armor system for a blast-resistant armored land vehicle configured to operate on a ground surface. The armor system has a body mounted on a vehicle surface and having a plurality of strike elements. The plurality of strike elements define a V, and each strike element comprises at least one tile. The at least one tile is attached to one of the vehicle surface and an adjacent tile with at least one degree of freedom. The at least one tile is configured to relocate from an initial position to a higher position relative to the ground surface.

Description

MINE RESISTANT VEHICLE FLEXIBLE UNDERBODY LAYER DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/282,092, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Field of the Invention

[002] The present invention relates to a flexible underbody layer of an armored motor vehicle, specifically one that has improved resistance to land mines and improvised explosive devices deployed on the path of the motor vehicle.

Background of the Invention

[003] When a buried explosive is detonated beneath a mine-protected vehicle, the primary mechanism of energy transfer to the vehicle structure is through impact of soil, water, and casing fragments (hereafter called "ejecta"). The impact of ejecta on the vehicle structure may result in damage to the structure, acceleration of the vehicle, and injury to the occupants.

[004] In many cases the vehicle structure is sufficiently robust to withstand the impact of explosively driven ejecta without catastrophic failure of the structure or any permanent deformation of the hull. However, a vehicle passenger compartment may be compromised as a result of the rapid momentum transfer to the vehicle.

[005] One method of minimizing the momentum transfer to a vehicle structure is a V-shaped hull that deflects the ejecta away. The effectiveness of V- shaped hulls is strongly related to the included angle of the V shape, with the more acute angles being the most effective.

[006] Unfortunately, a very sharp V is often impractical for a number of reasons. Vehicles designed with a very sharp V shape may have an undesirably high center of gravity causing rollover issues and steep driveline angles causing driveline issues. Also, a very sharp V shape may result in an increased overall vehicle height causing transportability issues and low ground clearance that may cause mobility issues.

[007] For these and other practical reasons, hull V angles are often much more obtuse than those that would provide a more optimal blast performance. Hulls of this type are most typically designed with the apex of the V at a

considerable distance from the ground to allow for the required vehicle ground clearance. Also, hulls are typically constructed of very strong, rigid steel alloy.

[008] If the apex of the V could be lowered below the required ground clearance, a sharper, more effective V shape could be used. However, a structure of this type could not be rigid without having a detrimental effect on ground clearance. The present application addresses at least the above-mentioned shortcomings in conventional vehicle design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[009] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an armor system for a blast-resistant armored land vehicle configured to operate on a ground surface. The armor system includes a body mounted on a vehicle surface and having a plurality of strike elements. The plurality of strike elements define a V, and each strike element comprises at least one tile. The at least one tile is attached to one of the vehicle surface and an adjacent tile with at least one degree of freedom. The at least one tile is configured to relocate from an initial position to a higher position relative to the ground surface.

[010] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an armor system for a blast-resistant armored land vehicle configured to operate on a ground surface. The armor system includes a body having sheet armor materials, the body having a centerline and a bottom portion. The body also includes a flexible layer having a plurality of sheets secured to the bottom portion, and wherein each sheet defines a V with an apex of the V substantially parallel to the centerline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the underbody layer of the present disclosure; [012] Fig. 2 is a schematic front view depicting the embodiment shown in

Fig. 1 ;

[013] Fig. 3 is perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 ;

[014] Fig. 4 is a schematic front view depicting the sheet of Fig. 3;

[015] Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of another embodiment of the sheet of

Fig. 3;

[016] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the underbody layer of the present disclosure;

[017] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with the underbody layer of the present disclosure;

[018] Fig. 8 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the underbody layer of the present disclosure;

[019] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the underbody layer of the present disclosure;

[020] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the underbody layer of the present disclosure;

[021] Fig. 1 1 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the underbody layer of the present disclosure;

[022] Fig. 12 is another perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 11 ;

[023] Fig. 13 is another perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 11 ;

[024] Fig. 14 is schematic view of the embodiment of Fig. 11 ;

[025] Fig. 15 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the underbody layer of the present disclosure;

[026] Fig. 16 is another schematic view of the embodiment of Fig. 15;

[027] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 15;

[028] Fig. 18 is another perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 15; and

[029] Fig. 19 is a schematic view of a vehicle equipped with the underbody layer of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[030] Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[031] As here embodied, and depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, a vehicle underbody 10 may include a bottom portion 12 and a flexible armor system including an underbody layer 4. Underbody layer 14 may be designed as a disposable and easily replaceable armor system. In this manner, after a blast event, old underbody layer 14 may be removed and replaced with new underbody layer 14.

[032] Bottom portion 12 may be a compound angle as shown, with the center of the bottom portion 12 having a flatter angle (i.e., larger included angle) than the outer portions of bottom portion 12. It is also contemplated that the center may have a sharper angle than the outer portions, that the bottom portion may be of a single angle of any degree, or may be substantially flat. Bottom portion 12 may include any materials known in the art that are suitable for a vehicle bottom such as, for example, steel.

[033] Underbody layer 14 may comprise a substantially V-shape, with an apex 17 of the downward-directed V. While apex 17 of the V is shown as being substantially parallel with a centerline of bottom portion 12, it is contemplated that apex 17 of the V may be directed off-center. Underbody layer 14 may extend any length along bottom portion 12. An inclusive angle Θ of underbody layer 14, formed by the V as depicted in Fig. 2, may be any suitable angle such as, for example, between about 60 degrees and about 20 degrees. For example, angle Θ may be about 90°. Typically the angle of underbody layer 14 will be less than or equal to the sharpest angle of bottom portion 12. When angle Θ nears 80 degrees, blast energy directed upward from beneath the vehicle may more efficiently, and thus more undesirably, transfer to the bottom portion of the vehicle.

[034] Underbody layer 4 may include a mounting system such as, for example, exemplary mounting system 40. Mounting system 40 may include at least one bar 42 that may be configured to receive blast-defeating elements such as, for example, a plurality of sheets 16, and may be configured to be fixedly attached to bottom portion 12. Bar 42 may be attached to bottom portion 12 with at least one flange 46 and may be secured with at least one nut 44. Mounting system 40 may be configured in such a way as to substantially prevent longitudinal movement of underbody layer 14. It is further contemplated that underbody layer 14 may be fixed to bottom portion 12 by any other suitable way known in the art, such as, for example, adhesive, as well as individually or as a group.

[035] Figs. 1-4 depict a first exemplary embodiment of underbody 14. Underbody layer 14 may include plurality of sheets 16. Plurality of sheets 16 may be stacked front to back along bottom portion 12. Each sheet 16 may be shaped by any means known in the art, including, but not limited to, molding or cut-out. Each sheet 16 may include, but is not limited to, an elastomeric material such as, for example, natural or synthetic rubber, polyurethane rubber, and high density rubber. The elastomeric material may preferably be tough and resistant to diesel fuel and gasoline. The material may maintain physical properties well at temperatures between -20 degrees C and 50 degrees C. It is contemplated that the material may be reinforced by natural fibers or thin metal fibers for added durability.

[036] The density of the elastomeric material is important in keeping the underbody layer 14 in place long enough to deflect the soil ejecta. The density of the material may be raised by adding powdered minerals or metals to the elastomeric material. For example, finely powdered Tungsten may be added. In this manner, adding 10 - 50% by volume of powdered minerals or metals may be very effective at increasing density without sacrificing the properties of the elastomeric material. The added material should be powdered sufficiently so that it is not dislodged during a blast event, and so that if the added material is dislodged, it does not act as a projectile. Other metals may also be used such as, for example, lead powder.

[037] As depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, each sheet 16 may include a back 22 with a top edge configured to sit substantially flush with bottom portion 12. Each sheet 16 may include one or more mounting holes 24. Referring back to Fig. 2, the mounting holes 24 may be configured to fit over bars or rods, such as bar 42, which may be received in one or more flange elements 46 secured to bottom portion 12. Bars 42 may have one or more threaded ends to accept one or more nuts 44 to capture sheets 16. Multiple bars 42, nuts 44, and flanges 46 may be used for mounting sheets 16. In this manner, each sheet 16 may be mounted to bottom portion 12. It is contemplated that each sheet 16 may alternatively be mounted to bottom portion 12 in other ways, such as, for example, by an adhesive. [038] Each sheet 16 may further be formed with a plurality of open spaces 26. Open spaces 26 may have the effect of concentrating the weight of underbody layer 14 closer to a ground surface 18, as depicted in Fig. 2. Ground surface 18 may be any surface over which a vehicle travels such as, for example, a road, grassy terrain, rocky terrain, and any other type of terrain. Additionally, open spaces 26 may increase flexibility and minimize the amount of incompressible material between the buried explosive and the vehicle hull, which may be beneficial for mitigating the effects of a very large explosive charge. As depicted in Fig. 3, each sheet 16 may further include a plurality of flexible elements 32. The plurality of flexible elements 32 may displace as the vehicle encounters obstacles.

Preferably, a thickness Ύ" at the narrowest cross section of each flexible element 32 should be substantially equal to about a thickness "X" of each sheet 16. As depicted in Fig. 4, at least one outer band 34, defined by dashed line Δ, may be of a variable thickness, with the thickest portion at the lowest portion of flexible elements 32. A mass of flexible elements 32 may progressively increase in a direction toward apex 17. For example, outer band 34 may be thinner near mounting hole 24 and may be progressively thicker in a direction toward surface 8, with the greatest thickness at apex 17. In this manner, a thickness A of flexible element 32 may be less than a thickness B. This additional thickness at the lower portion of flexible element 32, in combination with open spaces 26, results in a large percentage of the mass of underbody layer 14 being relatively closer to surface 18, and thereby closer to the threat. While outer band 34 is depicted as having a slight curvature, it is contemplated that outer band 34 may be either more curved or substantially straight.

[039] Referring back to Fig. 2, the vehicle may have a ground clearance (i.e., the distance above ground surface 18 of the land on which the vehicle operates) as measured from the lowest extremity of the vehicle underbody portion 10 of the vehicle. Historically, mine resistant vehicles were designed with high ground clearances to allow dissipation of soil ejecta before contact with the vehicle. However, as discussed previously, because the dissipation of the soil ejecta is minimal, early deflection of the blast is critical. In this manner, it is critical to position whatever is deflecting the blast as close to the threat as possible.

Therefore, the ground clearance should be minimal and will be determined by the operational parameters of the vehicle such as, for example, minimum ground clearance required to traverse the specific environment in which the vehicle operates. Bottom portion 12 of vehicle underbody 10 may have a ground clearance hi . Because underbody layer 14 may be configured to temporarily deform when contacted by environmental obstacles, underbody layer 14 may have a ground clearance of h2, which may be significantly less than hi , and much closer to the threat than bottom portion 12. By way of example, the ground clearance of bottom portion 12 may be 18 inches, whereas the ground clearance of underbody layer 14 may be 6 inches.

[040] When a mine explodes below vehicle underbody 10, soil ejecta may be launched in streams straight up into contact with underbody layer 14. When the soil ejecta contacts a sheet 16 of underbody layer 14, it may be redirected away from vehicle bottom portion 12 and subsequently away from the vehicle. The soil ejecta may also cause one or more of flexible elements 32 to come into contact with bottom portion 12. Finally, any soil ejecta that penetrates underbody layer 14 may have its speed and energy greatly reduced.

[041] The inertia effect of a blast contacting the outer bands 34 of the plurality of sheets 16 will cause outer bands 34 to act as an energy-absorbing buffer. Also, the inertia effect will cause the effective weight of the energy- absorbing buffer to be significantly higher than the actual weight.

[042] Fig. 5 depicts an additional exemplary embodiment of underbody 14. Underbody layer 4 may include a sheet 1 6 having relatively fewer flexible elements 132 and/or a rigid outer band 134 connecting a given flexible element 132 with one or more other flexible elements 34. Rigid outer band 134 may be any suitable relatively rigid material such as, for example, an elastomeric material having a rigidity greater than flexible element 132. Rigid outer band 134 may also include other relatively rigid materials such as, for example, a polymeric or metal material.

[043] Fig. 6 depicts an additional exemplary embodiment of underbody 14. Underbody layer 14 may include a plurality of sheets 2 6 each including at least one flexible element 232. In this embodiment, a back 222 (represented by a dashed line∑) of a first sheet of the plurality of sheets 216 may be mounted longitudinally with respect to the centerline of bottom portion 12, and may be mounted in opposition to a second of the plurality of sheets 216. In this manner, the plurality of sheets 216 may form a V shape and underbody layer 14 may have similar characteristics to those described above. The flexible elements 232 of opposing sheets 216 may overlap each other to form the V shape. It is

contemplated that the plurality of sheets 216 may overlap from either direction, or may not overlap at all and instead meet at a beveled edge to form the V shape. It is also contemplated that any number of sheets 216 may be mounted longitudinally in this manner, such as for example, sheets 216 may each include as little as one flexible element 232. This arrangement provides for an open space 226 between the plurality of sheets 216 and bottom portion 12, which provides similar benefits to those described above.

[044] As depicted in Fig. 7, the exemplary embodiments of underbody layer 14 disclosed herein may be mounted at any suitable location of the vehicle. For example, underbody layer 14 may be mounted at locations of the vehicle having geometries that may not be beneficial for conventional armor such as, for example, locations at or near vehicle axles, wheel wells, wheels, and/or fenders. Underbody layer 14 may also, for example, be mounted below a vehicle passenger

compartment and at upper portions of a vehicle such as, for example, around complex geometries such as vehicle windows.

[045] Fig. 8 depicts an additional exemplary embodiment of underbody layer 14. Underbody layer 14 may include strike elements 302. Strike elements 302 may be any suitable material for mitigating impact such as, for example, butyl rubber sheets. Strike elements 302 may be cut to form a series of long, vertical tiles 304 attached to an upper connecting region 306 that is secured to vehicle bottom portion 12 by one or more metallic brackets 308. At the junction of each tile 304 and the upper connecting region 306, circular cuts 310 may be used to reduce the cross section of tiles 304 and facilitate bending at that location. Circular cuts 310 may thereby provide at least one degree of freedom between tiles 304 and upper connecting region 306 and vehicle bottom portion 12.

[046] Fig. 9 depicts an additional exemplary embodiment of underbody layer 14. Underbody layer 14 may include a plurality of strike elements 402. Strike elements 402 may include a plurality of overlapping quadrilateral tiles 404. Tiles 404 may be cut from any suitable material for mitigating blasts such as, for example, polycarbonate. Each tile 404 may be secured at a lowermost corner to a flexible backing 406. Flexible backing 406 may be any suitable flexible material known in the art such as, for example, rubber or elastomeric material. For example, flexible backing 406 may be polyurethane rubber that is filled with tungsten powder to increase its density. Flexible backing 406 may be progressively thicker and/or denser (e.g., increasingly filled with tungsten powder) nearest the ground to increase the areal density near a threat. A thickness and/or mass of tiles 404 and flexible backing 406 may progressively increase in a direction toward the apex. Flexible backing 406 may bend, providing at least one degree of freedom between adjacent tiles 404, and between tiles 404 and vehicle bottom portion 12.

[047] Fig. 10 depicts an additional exemplary embodiment of underbody layer 14. Underbody layer 14 may include a plurality of strike elements 502. Strike elements 502 may include a plurality of substantially similarly shaped elements such as equilateral triangular tiles 504. Tiles 504 may be comprised of any suitable material for mitigating a blast such as, for example, fiber reinforced phenolic composite. Small gaps 506 may be provided between tiles 504 to increase flexibility of strike elements 502. Tiles 504 may be secured to a flexible fabric backing material 508. Backing material 508 may be any suitable flexible material such as, for example, rubber or elastomeric material. Backing material 508 may bend, and the amount of bending may be increased by gaps 506, providing at least one degree of freedom between adjacent tiles 504, and between tiles 504 and vehicle bottom portion 12.

[048] Figs. 1 1-14 depict several views of an additional exemplary embodiment of underbody layer 14. Underbody layer 14 may include a plurality of strike elements 602. Strike elements 602 may include a plurality of long vertical tiles 604. Tiles 604 may be made from any suitable material for mitigating a blast such as, for example, a metal. For example, tiles 604 may include alloy steel. Each tile 604 may be attached directly to bottom portion 12 via a hinge 606 and a metal bracket 608 attaching hinge 606 to bottom portion 12. Each tile 604 may be free to swing fore and aft along the length of the vehicle as it encounters roadway obstacles. Each tile 604 may be free to swing independently of other tiles 604. Each tile 604 may thereby have at least one degree of freedom relative to other tiles 604, and bottom portion 12. [049] Figs. 15-18 depict several views of an additional exemplary embodiment of underbody layer 14. Underbody layer 14 may include a plurality of strike elements 702. Strike elements 702 may be any suitable material for mitigating the effects of a blast such as, for example, a metal material. For example, strike elements 702 may be alloy steel plates. Strike elements 702 may be free to rotate with respect to each other, and may be attached at an apex 704 via a hinge 706. Hinge 706 may be any suitable hinge for joining strike elements 702 such as, for example, a piano hinge. Strike elements 702 may include a plurality of fingers 708 configured to be received in slots 710 attached to bottom portion 12. Fingers 708 may slide within slots 710, allowing strike elements 702 to displace between an extended position (shown in Fig. 15) and a retracted position (shown in Fig. 16), as well as various positions between the extended and retracted positions. The displacement of fingers 708 within slots 710 may thereby provide at least one degree of freedom between strike elements 702 and bottom portion 12.

[050] The disclosed tiles of the various exemplary embodiments may be secured either to vehicle bottom portion 12 and/or to adjacent tiles by a linkage providing at least one degree of freedom. This degree of freedom may allow a given tile to translate or rotate in response to forward and rearward impact from roadway obstacles (e.g., a rock) so that the tile occupies a new position above surface 18. Thus, a given tile is configured to relocate from an initial position to a higher position relative to ground surface 18.

[051] The disclosed tiles may be a tessellating shape such as triangles or parallelograms that provide substantially full coverage of the disclosed strike elements by repetition of a single manufactured part. The disclosed tiles may have an areal density between about 5 and about 20 g/cm². The disclosed tiles may have a face comprised of a material that substantially prevents penetration and erosion by explosively driven soil. For example, the disclosed tiles may include thermoplastics with a hardness of at least 100 Rockwell R, polycarbonate, thermoset composites such as those based on reinforced phenolic or melamine resin, and/or sheet metal including, for example, aluminum and steel. A thickness and/or a mass of the disclosed tiles of each exemplary embodiment may progressively increase in a direction toward the apex of the V of each exemplary embodiment. [052] Linkages between adjacent tiles or between each tile and vehicle bottom portion 12 may include flexible material such as, for example, a flexible polymer, a woven fabric, and/or a mesh material. Alternately, linkages may include a mechanical linkage such as, for example, hinges, slots, and/or joints.

Additionally, tiles may be suspended from chain, rope, and/or wire linkages.

[053] As depicted in Fig. 19, underbody layer 14 may be inclined in a forward and/or rearward direction. Underbody layer 14 may be inclined at an angle γ from vertical, γ may be a value between about 20 degrees and about 70 degrees.

[054] The above exemplary embodiments disclose a supplemental V- shaped hull that extends very close to the ground, thereby improving the

sharpness, and thereby effectiveness, of the vehicle V shape. The present armor system is designed to be flexible, thereby allowing a vehicle equipped with the armor system to clear roadway obstacles in a way that a rigid V hull may not.

[055] The above exemplary embodiments also improve an underbody blast protection of a vehicle by creating a sharper V shape than that of the conventional vehicle structures. The disclosed strike elements deflect explosively driven ejecta and reduce the transfer of momentum to an existing vehicle structure. The disclosed strike elements and tiles may include a degree of freedom that allows the armor system to move away from the ground and along the direction of travel of the vehicle until the armor system reaches a position above a plane parallel to the ground, thereby allowing a modified ground clearance. The modified ground clearance allows the vehicle to flex around roadway obstacles so as to minimize the detriment to operational ground clearance. The inertia of the tiles and the resilience of the strike elements in the presently disclosed armor system allows for a redirection of impacting ejecta, thereby protecting vehicle passengers and contents.

[056] It is also understood that the structure described is expendable or sacrificial in the event of a blast, and that the tiles described will ultimately impact the hull. It is believed that the geometry of the structure can cause a net reduction in the momentum transfer to the vehicle by changing the direction of the deflected ejecta. Furthermore, the momentum transfer from the tiles to the hull will occur over a longer duration than the equivalent momentum transfer from fast moving ejecta due to the increased mass of the moving objects. This will reduce the peak stress in the existing vehicle structure, and thereby reduce the likelihood of material failure and the extent of deformation. The tiles may be designed in a way to avoid posing a threat of penetration of the existing structure. This may be accomplished by minimizing the mass of each tile and by choosing materials that are of a lower modulus than that of the existing vehicle hull structure.

[057] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An armor system for a blast-resistant armored land vehicle configured to operate on a ground surface, comprising:

a body mounted on a vehicle surface and having a plurality of strike elements; wherein:

the plurality of strike elements define a V;

each strike element comprises at least one tile; and

the at least one tile is attached to one of the vehicle surface and an adjacent tile with at least one degree of freedom, the at least one tile configured to relocate from an initial position to a higher position relative to the ground surface.

2. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein the strike elements include butyl rubber.

3. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tile includes polycarbonate.

4. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tile is mounted on a flexible material including tungsten powder.

5. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tile includes fiber reinforced phenolic composite material.

6. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tile includes steel.

7. The armor system of claim 6, wherein the at least one tile is mounted to the vehicle surface via a hinge.

8. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein a gap is provided between the at least one tile and an adjacent tile of the strike element.

9. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of strike elements are attached at an apex of the V via a hinge.

10. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein the V forms an inclusive angle between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees. 1. The armor system of claim 1 , wherein a mass of each tile progressively increases in a direction toward the apex.

12. An armor system for a blast-resistant armored land vehicle configured to operate on a ground surface, comprising:

a body having sheet armor materials, the body having a centerline and a bottom portion; and

a flexible layer having a plurality of sheets secured to the bottom portion, and wherein each sheet defines a V with an apex of the V substantially parallel to the centerline.

13. The armor system of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of sheets includes an elastomeric material.

14. The armor system of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of sheets further includes a powdered metal, and wherein the powdered metal comprises less than about 50% of each of the sheets by volume.

15. The armor system of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of sheets comprises a plurality of flexible elements, wherein a first of the flexible elements is separated from a second of the flexible elements by an open space.

16. The armor system of claim 15 further comprising a rigid outer band connecting at least two flexible elements.

17. The armor system of claim 12, wherein the V forms an inclusive angle between about 60 degrees and about 120 degrees.

18. The armor system of claim 12, wherein a mass of each sheet progressively increases in a direction toward the apex.

19. The armor system of claim 12, wherein each sheet of the plurality of sheets includes a hole configured to receive a mounting bar that is attached to the vehicle.

20. A kit for retrofitting a mine blast resistant vehicle, the vehicle configured to operate on a ground surface, comprising:

the plurality of strike elements define a V;

each strike element comprises at least one tile; and

the at least one tile is attached to one of the vehicle surface and an adjacent tile with at least one degree of freedom; and

a mounting system for mounting the body to the vehicle.