Anti-projectile armour - comprising foam for dissipating high velocity particles esp meteorites striking spaceships

摘要

Armour incorporating an external layer of foam in which the speed of sound is approx. half that of the anticipated missiles. Pref. the foam is made of metal, polyurethane or equivalent, and is secured to the skin of the vehicle by suitable adhesives. Relies on the conversion of kinetic energy to thermal energy to dissipate impinging high velocity bodies. Suitable for lay-up over large areas of various materials (unlike special glass or other ceramic shields). Lighter than dense metal shields offering equivalent protection.