Experimental and Numerical Study on a Non-Explosive Reactive Armour with the Rubber Interlayer Applied against Kinetic-Energy Penetrators—The ‘Bulging Effect’ Analysis

The study concerns a protection system applied against kinetic-energy penetrators (KEPs) composed of steel plates sandwiching a rubber layer. Laminated steel-elastomer armours represent non-explosive reactive (NERA) armours that take advantage of a so-called ‘bulging effect’ to mitigate KEP projectiles. Upon an impact, the side steel plates deform together with the deforming rubber interlayer. Their sudden deformation (bulging) in opposite directions disturbs long and slender KEP projectiles, causing their fragmentation. The presented discussion is based on the experimental investigation, confirming that the long-rod projectiles tend to fracture into several pieces due to the armour perforation. A numerical simulation accompanies the ballistic test providing an insight into the threat/target interactions. The presented experimental–numerical study explains the principles of the analysed protection mechanism and proves the efficiency of the materials composition making up the laminated non-reactive protection system.