Russia is developing an innovative type of protective coating, the so-called Liquid Armor, the Interfax news agency reported.
”The first stage of testing the nano-armor liquid was completed. It confirmed the target effect of the product,” said Nikolay Viktorov, executive director of the Military and Industry Venture Fund of the Sverdlov Region.
The Liquid Armor that is designated for cars will be launched into production already this summer, Viktorov said. In addition to the cars, it could be used to reinforce protection of any product, including helicopters, motor boats and armor vests. The material will step up armor protection without increasing its weight significantly, which is usually the case when some metal armor plates are used for this purpose.
In substance, Liquid Armor is the gel of solid nano-particles and liquid filler. A sharp blow (caused by a bullet or a fragment) makes the particles stick together in no time, turning gel into a solid composite and preventing foreign substance from penetrating deep into the structure.
THere's already something like this out there being used by downhill skiiers. It's a soft, lightweight plastic that goes rock hard the instant something smacks it (like a slalom gate for instance).
Cool beans for sure.
I can't remember what the product was called or I would post a link
Magnetonium
Cool. that reminds me - few months ago I read on a Russian military website they're developing new plasma-based anti-radar shields for airplanes making the new American missile defense shield obsolete. This plasma will absorb radar signals. Cool, eh?
So a MIG, when this technology is developed, can kick the slow stealth fighter's ass anytime ;-)
star-traveller
All MIG on board electronics and its radar system is a big big obsolete joke.
Stealth and F-22-like aircrafts are able to track and fire longrange anti-aircraft missles on a distance up-to 120-160 miles.
Russians have only 1 longrange anti-aircraft missle, R-33, which is very old. It has realy ty maneuverability, 'cause of it uses normal aerodynamic scheme.
Americans have very serious advantage in air-craft radar systems and missle guidance systems.
Dervish
So how is the energy disipated? I assume the gel is ment to lengthen the impact to reduce the impulse but how does the bonding of the nano particles use up the energy?
Omega_M
How about the Sukhoi SU-30 and its variants ?
Omega_M
quote:
Originally posted by Dervish
So how is the energy disipated? I assume the gel is ment to lengthen the impact to reduce the impulse but how does the bonding of the nano particles use up the energy?
Didn't find anything on the Russian version, but the US Army has also developed similar materials.
quote:
"During normal handling, the [fluid] is very deformable and flows like a liquid. However, once a bullet or frag hits the vest, it transitions to a rigid material, which prevents the projectile from penetrating the Soldier's body," said Dr. Eric Wetzel, a mechanical engineer from the Weapons and Materials Research Directorate who heads the project team.
"Shear thickening" fluids (also called "dilatant" fluids) have unusual (that is, non-Newtonian) behavior in response to a shearing force. Their viscosities increase or decrease as the applied shearing stress changes. Cornstarch and water form a shear thickening fluid; when poked hard with a finger, the mixture reacts as a solid. However, if you place a "cube" of it on a table, it slowly flows into a puddle.
I guess a problem is not in aircraft it self. MIG-29 for example, and it's latest modification has great flight charactersitics + it has very advanced anti-aircraft missles (R-73) for short-middle range combat. But who cares about short-middle range combat today?
For example AWACS can track targets in a 300-400km radius range and give that information to any aircraft or the most importan guide a long-range missle. It has so many advantages, like extra-long guidance range (you don't need to invent extra-mini radar system to place it inside a missle) and also it becomes very difficult for enemy aircraft to put any interference and jamming on its way (AWACS radar system is much advanced than anything that is packed into a missle).
The modern aircombat is simple. Find a target as earlier as possible, fire a long-range missle, turn around and fly home to watch a TV.
