The Design of the Multi-Layer Hybrid Armor System Using Mg Alloy, Ceramic, and Composite Material for Minimum Weight

To design the armor of the combat vehicle which is not only robust, but also light-weighted is very important for enhancing the survivability of the combat vehicle. This paper suggests the procedure to design the hybrid armor system with minimum weight using Magnesium Alloy. First, a set of armor systems are initially designed by varying combination of materials and thickness. Then these are tested for ballistic limit (V50) by military standard MIL-STD-662F to verify the ability for the bullet proof. Among the armor systems that successfully protected the bullet, the lightest one is selected for further optimization for minimum weight using numerical analysis. For numerical analysis, the model for numerical analysis was developed and verified by matching with experimental results. The results of penetration analysis using numerical analysis are well matched with those of experiment within 3% error rate. The design optimization for minimum weight of the armor system was executed. The results of design optimization for a given threat condition are presented using the contour plot. The design process for the hybrid armor system that uses the initial design, the experiments, the numerical analysis can be used for analysis of vulnerability of combat vehicles.