DRS, General Dynamics Successfully Test Active Protection Technology For Armored Vehicles

DRS Technologies and General Dynamics have successfully completed a ten-month combat vehicle integration and live fire testing program featuring Active Protection technology. 

As part of its strategic initiative to demonstrate next generation anti-armor survivability technologies for its combat vehicle fleets, and following an international tender process, GD chose the combat-proven Trophy Active Protection System for its full-scale integration and testing program on a General Dynamics LAV III armored vehicle.

DRS and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, partners on the Trophy system, worked in close cooperation with GD to perform the detailed mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems design integration and installation of the Trophy system on the LAV III without degrading the original performance level of the vehicle.

Following a series of mobility trials to stress the Active Protection integration on the vehicle, the system underwent a comprehensive, 3-month live fire test regimen at a Canadian test range against multiple rocket-propelled grenade variants, recoilless rifle, and anti-tank guided missiles. These tests were performed in various challenging engagement scenarios -- including short range, moving vehicle, multiple threats, and high clutter environments.  Besides performance testing to validate the system functionality, additional test data included arena sampling for collateral effects, residual penetration, vehicle/crew safety, and electronic safe/arm performance.

"The successful performance of Trophy during the test program, coupled with the robustness of the vehicle integration design, demonstrates that Active Protection technology – and the Trophy system in particular – is both effective and mature," said Joseph Matteoni, Vice President/General Manager of DRS Sustainment Systems Inc.  "We owe it to our troops to do the utmost to avoid another 'IED-like' surprise on the next battlefield."