Here is some Video Pr0n from Rafael
Rafael’s active protection system, Trophy, received its baptism of fire along the Gaza border, when it intercepted an RPG fired by Palestinian militants:
According to IDF sources, the Merkava tank was patrolling the border with Gaza, when a missile launch was detected by the tank’s radar system. The Elta System’s EL/M 2133 ‘WindGuard’ sensors classified the threat as ‘severe’, alerted the crew and tracked the missile closing-in on the tank. As the RPG entered the system’s kill-zone, Trophy fired at the missile, destroying it at a safe distance from the tank.
The “on patrol” bit appears to indicate that the tank was on the move when Trophy intercepted the RPG, which is particularly significant, since one of the tougher nuts to crack for such systems is the ability to work when the target is in motion.
I’m not clear on its ability to counter long rod penetrators, or EFPs, both of which through a slug at something in excess Mach 2, as opposed to the subsonic speeds of typical ATGWs and RPGs.
My only question is what excuse the US military, which is looking to smaller, lighter, and more mobile, forces will use not to buy the system.
They will come up with a justification, but the real reason is that retired generals don’t get lucrative consulting gigs at Rafael, and they do from Raytheon.
Pretty darned impressive. How does it work?
Bassically, it points something like a cross between a claymore and a shotgun shell at an incoming rocket or missile, and fires at the appropriate time.