NATO has spurred the development of strap-on armor to shield helicopters from rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The strap-on armor is now ready to move beyond the laboratory to operational testing.

"We've now reached the stage where our researchers need to start working with industry to look at risk assessment and how to develop strap-on prototypes for various helicopter models," said Lt. Colonel. Krasimir Parashkevov, the representative of Bulgaria's national armaments director, at the country's permanent delegation to NATO.

Launched in early 2005 as part of NATO's 2004 Defense Against Terrorism program to develop 10 kinds of technologies, the anti-RPG effort is being run by Bulgaria, Greece and Poland. The basic research is being performed by Bulgaria's Academy of Science's metallurgy branch, which has for 20 years focused on materials for military application.

While technology details remain classified, Parashkevov said the project is largely an effort to improve on existing armor for ground vehicles. The strap-on armor uses three layers of ceramics, gel and new materials. The armor is designed to neutralize an RPG's fuse, which is mounted at the tip of the incoming weapon. A second belt of armor will be added to protect a helicopter's most vulnerable areas, such as fuel tanks, from the debris generated when an RPG shatters against the armor.

When first tested in 2005, the new armor neutralized half of all charges fired against it. By October 2006, in demonstrations in Bulgaria, it was turning away 80 percent of them, Parashkevov said.

"Our system disables the RPG's fuse upon contact with the shield. It's a fairly simple method, though it still needs more work. It's still not light enough for air vehicles, but it's effective against attack," Parashkevov said.

Poland will investigate the strap-on armor's aerodynamic impact on helicopters in wind-tunnel tests, while Greece will provide equipment and experts to help Bulgaria test the kinetic impact of RPGs against the helicopter's fuselage.

The RPG-7 is the most common rocket-propelled grenade in use today. It was developed by Russia during World War II and improved upon, since then. RPG-7s are used by armies, terrorists and rebels around the globe. RPG-7s downed U.S. helicopters in Somalia in 1993 and more recently in Iraq.

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