NBC Protection System

Armour Materials and Protection
1 NBC Protection System
Col (Prof) James K Varkey

07-5-2018
2 Syllabus
1. Overview of Armour Protection and Threat Perception
2. Armour Requirements and Protection Philosophy
3. Active and Passive Protection System
4. Penetration Mechanisms of Various Tank Ammunitions
5. Shot Armour Reaction Theory
6. Slopping of Armour
7. Armour Equations
8. Whittaker’s DPV Theory
9. Properties of Various Armour Materials
10. Active Protection System
11. NBC Protection System
12. Mobility as an Aid to Protection
3
Active Protection Systems
Revision
 Principle and mechanism of operation
 SHTORA protection system
 LWS
 ARENA-E
 DRODZ-2
 Afghanit
 Trophy
4 NBC Protection Systems
 Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Warfare and
its Effects
 Detection of NBC weapons effects
 NBC protection equipment in AFVs
 Qualitative requirements of a NBC system
 T-72 CBR protection system
 T-90 CBR protection system
 MBT Arjun NBC protection system
 Latest trends in NBC Protection system
Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection
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5 NBC Threat
The mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan on

August 9, 1945 rose some 18 kilometers above the
bomb's hyper-centre.
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6 NBC Warfare and its Effects
 A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its
destructive force from nuclear reactions, either FISSION or a
combination of FISSION and FUSION.
 Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively
small amounts of matter. The first fission ("atomic") bomb test
released an amount of energy equivalent to approximately
20,000 Tons of TNT
 The first thermonuclear (HYDROGEN) bomb test released the
an amount of energy equivalent to approximately 10,000,000
tons of TNT.
 A modern thermonuclear weapon weighing about 1,100 kg can
produce an explosive force comparable to the detonation of
more than 1.2 million tons of TNT.
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7
NBC Warfare and its Effects
 Nuclear weapons are weapons of mass destruction, and their use
and control have been a major focus of international relations policy
since their debut.
 Even a small nuclear device no larger than traditional bombs can
devastate an entire city by blast, fire and radiation.
 Only two nuclear weapons have been used in the course of warfare,
both by the USA near the end of World War II.
 On 6 August 1945, a Uranium gun-type device code-named “Little
Boy" was detonated over the Japanese city, Hiroshima. Yield 15 kT
equivalent of TNT
 Three days later, on 9 August, a Plutonium implosion-type device
code-named “Fat Man" was exploded over Nagasaki, Japan. Yield 20
kT equivalent of TNT
 These two bombings resulted in the deaths of approximately 200,000
Japanese people—mostly civilians—from acute injuries sustained
from the explosions.
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8
A nuclear detonation is characterized by:

 An immediate, rapid and brief release of nuclear radiations,
 A rapidly developing fireball which emits intense thermal
radiation (heat and light) and gives rise to a powerful pressure
pulse which travels outword from the point of burst, Ground
Zero (the shock wave).
The highly energetic and intense nuclear radiation also produces
the electro magnetic pulse (EMP) on interaction with the
atmosphere.
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9
 There are two basic types of nuclear weapons: those which
derive the majority of their energy from NUCLEAR FISSION
reactions, and those which use initialy fission reactions to
begin NUCLEAR FUSION reactions that produce a large
amount of energy.
Fission Weapons
 All existing nuclear weapons derive some of their explosive
energy from nuclear fission reactions. Weapons whose
explosive output is exclusively from fission reactions are
commonly referred to as atomic bombs or atom
bombs (abbreviated as A-bombs).
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10 NBC Warfare and its Effects
Fusion weapons
 The second type of nuclear weapon produces a large amount of
its energy through nuclear fusion reactions. Such fusion
weapons are generally referred to as Thermonuclear
Weapons or more colloquially as Hydrogen
Bombs (abbreviated as H-bombs), as they rely on fusion
reactions between isotopes of Hydrogen (deuterium and tritium).
 However, all such weapons derive a significant portion of their
energy from fission. This is because a fission weapon is required
as a "trigger" for the fusion reactions, and the fusion reactions
can themselves trigger additional fission and sometimes a
majority, of their energy from fission.
 The most commonly used fissile materials for nuclear weapons
applications are URANIUM -235 and PLUTONIUM -239.
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11
Nuclear weapons have yields varying from ½ KT to 100s of MT.
In the context of AFVs, what is important is Tactical Nuclear
Threat, the yield of which can be assumed to be near 20 KT.
Hence AFVs are generally designed for nuclear protection
against a 20 KT weapon burst at about 1850-2000 feet high.
Effects Of Nuclear Explosions
The energy released from a nuclear weapon detonated in

the troposphere can be divided into four basic categories
 Blast - 40-50% of total energy
 Thermal effects - 30-35% of total energy
 Ionizing radiation - 5% of total energy (more in a neutron
bomb)
 Residual radiation - 5-10% of total energy
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12 Effects of Nuclear Explosion
Depending on the design of the weapon and the environment in which
it is detonated, the energy distributed can be increased or decreased.
The blast effect energy covers the entire Electromagnetic Spectrum.
Of the total energy released in the explosion, contribution of
kinetic energy is the highest. Because of the very large energy
which is initially contained in a relatively small volume, when released
the temperature becomes tens of millions of degrees centigrade.
The war head debris and the surrounding materials such as air,
buildings, rock, or water, interact rapidly with this fire ball and heat it to
an equilibrium temperature (i.e. equilibrium)
This causes complete vaporization of surrounding materials resulting in
its rapid expansion. Kinetic energy created by this expansion
contributes to the formation of a shockwave.
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13
Effects of Nuclear Explosion
The spherical shock wave so formed with its associated pressure and
high velocity wind, moves as fire ball and travels away from the burst.
This blast wave carries about 50% of the kinetic energy which
produces blast effect.
The high velocity and the pressure of the shock wave will damage and
even displace the AFVs and other military equipment.
Most of the material damage caused by a nuclear air burst is
caused by a combination of the high static overpressures and the
blast waves. The force of the blast wave weakens structures, which
are then torn apart by the blast winds.
Acting on the human body, the shock waves cause pressure waves
through the tissues. These waves mostly damage junctions between
tissues of different densities (bone and muscle) or the interface
between tissue and air. Lungs and the abdominal cavity, which contain
air, are particularly injured..
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14 Effects Of Nuclear Explosions : Blast
The blast effect of a nuclear weapon resembles that of a

chemical explosion but is of much greater duration and
magnitude. It is considered to be the effect, which will cause
most damage to military equipment.
The blast wave moves outwards in all directions from the GZ at
a velocity initially greater than the speed of sound but soon falls
off to around the speed of sound. It is preceded by the shock
front, which creates a sudden and very high static overpressure
round the targets.
Accompanying it is a high wind, which pushes the targets away
from the GZ. This pressure is called the dynamic pressure and
has an extremely destructive effect on structures and equipment
already weakened by the thermal pulse and the shock front
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15 Effects Of Nuclear Explosions
Protection from Blast
The main considerations are:
1. The tank as a structure must withstand the static over pressure and
individual fixtures may have to withstand reflected pressures upto 8
times the static pressure.
2. If the tank is in “Closed Down” condition, aerials, mounts, sighting
mechanisms, machine gun mounts, lights, road wheels, suspension
etc. are vulnerable to damage. Skirting plates tools and tool boxes
and other fixtures may be torn off and thrown away.
3. If tanks not properly closed down the crew will suffer severe internal
damage through the blast wave entering ports and hatches.
4. To have protection, fighting compartment should be isolated from
engine compartment by a well sealed bulkhead.
5. Inescapable openings in the turret and hull should be sealed by
shuttering devices. When radiation from explosion which travels at the
speed of light reaches AFV, the same can detected and automatic
device can close down tank to protect from blast wave.
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Thermal Effects
If the tank is in closed down condition, thermal effects may not
have much effect on the crew.
The outside paint may char which may start secondary fire.
Camouflage nets are vulnerable and may burn.
Crew may be blinded by the flash effects especially if any one
looking in the direction of fire ball.
Here again shuttering devices may be effective as maximum

flash intensity does not occur immediately the explosion occurs,
but after a small interval of time. By this time the shutters can be
down as the radiation has already been detected by the NBC
protection system.
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17
Protection from Radiation
Immediate radiation comes from the fission products of the
weapon and consists of neutrons and gamma rays. It is the
radiation emitted within one minute of the explosion and travels
directly from the fireball to the ground. Gamma rays and neutrons
are highly penetrative and damaging to human being.
It is possible to detect the prompt initial nuclear radiation pulse
and use it as an early warning signal for NBC protection. The
intensity of fallout radiation depends on the location of the area in
relation to the ground zero, environmental and terrain conditions.
The combat effectiveness of the crew is severely affected at
radiation exposure of 200 REM and above. The lethal dose (LD-
50) is 450 REM. Therefore reliable measurement of radiation
dose and dose rate is essential using rugged and reliable high
dose rate range instruments.
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18
Alpha and Beta radiation do not pose a threat. Gamma radiation
is well attenuated by armour steel. Shielding against neutrons is
most difficult since it require light materials containing hydrogen.
Steel lined with boronated polyethylene provides good protection
against both gamma radiation and neutron fluxes. Polyethylene
lining could be sprayed outside the tank and crew members
could be provided with “Atomic Suits”.
Boron or cadmium could be added to armour steel as one of
alloy elements to improve protection against neutrons.
Use of lead glass in sights and periscopes provide protection
against gamma radiation.
Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection System

19
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System
21 NBC Protection System in AFVs
 The NBC protection system is designed to protect the crew and the
equipment inside the tank against nuclear explosion shock wave,
heat wave and radiations and biological and chemical warfare.
 Protection against blast and shock wave is achieved by special
sealing devices of the fighting compartment.
 Tank hermetic sealing is achieved by sealing the gun, coaxial
machine gun port, sight slit, engine compartment bulk head and
turret race ring.
 Provision for automatic closure of the openings on the tank which are
generally kept open is provided.
 Special filters are provided to filter the air intake to fighting
compartment when passing through contaminated area.
 Roentgenometer is one type of equipment designed to measure the
intensity of gamma radiation dose inside the tank.
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22
NBC Protection System in AFVs
Engine Shut Down Mechanism: This mechanism comprises of

solenoid linked to the fuel supply line of the tank. On activation of
the sensors, the solenoid activates and shuts down the engine by
stopping the fuel supply.
Louvers and Ejector Shutter Mechanism: The louvers and
ejector shutter provides ventilation in the engine compartment
and are normally kept in open condition. On activation of the
protection system, a solenoid releases the spring loaded closing
mechanism for immediate closure.
Stabilizer Cut-Off Mechanism: The stabilizer cut-off mechanism
cuts-off the electrical supply to the stabilizer mechanism of the
turret thereby freezing the turret motion.
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23
NBC Blower: This is generally a very high RPM centrifugal blower
pump, which filters out macro dust particles and provides clean air
to the crew and creates a positive overpressure inside the tank.
This overpressure prevents the ingress of radioactive & chemical
warfare agents inside the tank thereby providing protection from
internal contamination.
NBC Filters: To protect the crew from internal contamination, the
air supplied to the tank is cleaned and filtered using NBC filters.
This generally consists of a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)
type of filter and suitable active layers for chemical adsorption.
The HEPA filter removes the dust particles down to 0.3 micron
size. The active composite carbon layers adsorb the chemical
vapors. Together they do excellent filtering out of NBC
contaminants and provide a cleaned filtered air to the crew.
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24
Sealing and Overpressure System: This consists of various
doors, hatches, ports and valves, which provide effective sealing
of the tanks. This also prevents excessive leakage of air from
inside the tank and hence maintains a desired overpressure.
Typical NBC Blower and Filter

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Sequence of Operation
The following sequence of operation takes place in case of a
nuclear detonation. When the NBC threat is anticipated, or a
message of NBC attack is received or if the crew of tank
confirms the NBC attack, the tank comes to halt as its engine is
shut down and all other sub-assemblies like gun controls,
blower, etc. also stops. The minor ports and all air inlets are
closed immediately by release of suitable solenoids.
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26
These actions reduce the damages due to blast wave to the tank,
its sub system & the crew.
After the passage of blast wave and the associated wind
(typically 30-45s), the blower is manually switched on and
provide a clean and filtered air free from NBC contaminants to
the crew.
This will also build sufficient overpressure (more than 35mm of
water) inside the tank and prevent the ingress of contaminants
due to fall-outs.
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27
Automation of NBC Protection System

The NBC protection system in AFVs have been made fully
automatic.
To provide protection to the crew and the tank against the
damaging effects of blast and radiation from a nuclear weapon,
the they have nuclear detection and measuring instruments.
Following major components are used in the system:
RADMAC System:
The instrument “Radiation Detection Measurement and Control”
unit (RADMAC) has been designed and developed to address all
the nuclear related challenges in an NBC environment
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RADMAC is a state-of-the-art instrument to detect intense burst
of gamma radiation from a nuclear detonation and to activate
automatic collective NBC protection system. It measures gamma
dose rate and total dose.
The instrument has a microcontroller for data acquisition and
control of digital display devices. The compact and rugged
design of the instrument can withstand the harsh environmental
specification of tracked vehicles.
The system is capable of generating NBC activation signal in an
AFV. RADMAC is used for generating control signals for
activation of NBC protection system in case of a nuclear
explosion & fallout mode (CBR mode) and for measurement of
radiation intensities.
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29
CWA Detector: An electronic real time Chemical Agent Detector
GID-3 in the system, which generates electric signals in the event
of nerve agent or blister agent attack for activation of NBC
protection system through ACU.
The system is capable of detecting Nerve agents at a minimum
dose of 1 mg/m3 in less than 30s and blister agent at a minimum
dose of 20 mg/m3 in <120s.
Automatic Control Unit (ACU): The ACU, on receiving NBC
activation command from RADMAC, generates signals for
immediate shut down of engine, special blower, stabiliser, exhaust
blower valves, louvers and ejector shutter. It also changes the
ventilation mode from normal to NBC filter mode. After a lapse of
pre-determined time necessary sequence of operation takes place
like automatic start up of blower, release of stabilizer cut off
mechanism and release of engine shut down mechanism.
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When RADMAC encounters a dose rate more than pre-set value,

it generates the activating signal for the ACU in “CBR protection
mode”. The ACU generates signals to close the exhaust blower
valves change ventilation mode from normal to NBC mode and
start the special blower automatically.
Blower Control Unit (BCU): The control of blower of the tank
requires the switching of high current. For controlling blower
through an electric voltage signal, a blower control unit is
designed, which is capable of handling high currents.
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31
During nuclear explosion mode the various functions performed
by Automatic Control Unit are:
 Engine shutdown mechanism stops the engine
 Ejector shutter mechanism operates to close the ejector
shutters and louvers
 Stops the gun control stabilizer mechanism
 Exhaust blowers, two on the back side and one in the
commander compartment of the tank are stopped.
 Main blower stops and filter changeover mechanism operates
for absorbent filter to come in the fresh air entry path
 After a period of 35s, a signal is generated by automatic
Control Unit to deactivate the NBC signal.
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32
 After a period of 50s main blower is started again to supply
fresh air to crew through absorbent filter.
 Pressure inside the tank is maintained higher than
atmospheric pressure to prevent any contaminated air to enter
inside through any leakage.
 Now only filtered air is supplied to the crew.
 Engine and exhaust blowers can now be re-started manually if
required.
 Ejector shutter and Louver can be opened manually.
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33
Sensors for Measuring Radiation

Commonly used instrument is gas filled Geiger–Müller counter,
also called a Geiger counter.
It is an instrument used for measuring ionizing radiation.
It detects radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles and

gamma rays using the ionization produced in a Geiger–Müller
tube, which gives its name to the instrument. In wide and
prominent use as a hand-held radiation survey instrument used in
Armoured fighting vehicles.
It is perhaps one of the world's best-known radiation instruments.

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34
Geiger Muller Detector
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35
Arrangement of anti-atomic protection system components

1. gun port sealing; 2. blower; 3. exhaust blower ports closing mechanism;
4. sending unit; 5. turret race ring sealing; 6. shutters closing mechanism; 7.
relay box; 8. sight port closing mechanism; 9. front machine gun scaling;
10.coaxial machine gun sealing.
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36 Roentgenometer
It is designed to measure the intensity of gamma radiation dose
inside the tank when operates in radiologically contaminated
ground.
Principle of operation.
 Based on counting the number of times the capacitor is charged
and discharged per unit time.
 The capacitor is discharged by the ionization chamber current
and charged from a special circuit.
 As the ionization chamber current is proportional to gamma
radiation dose intensity, the number of the capacitor charge-
discharge cycles per unit time is also proportional to the
radiation dose intensity.
 The measurement range is from 0.1 to 500 r/h and the whole
range is divided in to 4 sub-ranges- 0.1 -1, 1-10, 10-100 and
100-500
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37
Roentgenometer
 Energized from 26v mains of the tank.
 When the device is on, and radiation is absent, the pointer
must stay within 0 to 0.5 .
 The Roentgenometer incorporates measuring panel, remote
unit.
 Measuring unit is installed in the driving compartment.
 Remote unit is a cylindrical body accommodating ionization
chamber.
.
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38 Roentgenometer
1. Supply cable. 2. Measuring panel. 3. Measuring instrument. 4. lamp 5. sub-range

indicator. 6. Pilot lamp. 7. Sub-range selector switch. 9. Mounting clamp 10. fuses.
11. Button check. 13. Remote unit (ionization chamber). 14 Remote unit clamp
39 System
DISCUSSION

NBC Protection System

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Armour Materials and Protection

1 NBC Protection System

Col (Prof) James K Varkey

The mushroom cloud of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan on

A nuclear detonation is characterized by:

The energy released from a nuclear weapon detonated in

The blast effect of a nuclear weapon resembles that of a

Here again shuttering devices may be effective as maximum

Protection from Radiation

Engine Shut Down Mechanism: This mechanism comprises of

Typical NBC Blower and Filter

Automation of NBC Protection System

When RADMAC encounters a dose rate more than pre-set value,

Sensors for Measuring Radiation

It is an instrument used for measuring ionizing radiation.

It detects radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles and

It is perhaps one of the world's best-known radiation instruments.

Arrangement of anti-atomic protection system components

1. Supply cable. 2. Measuring panel. 3. Measuring instrument. 4. lamp 5. sub-range

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