MEXAS
Encyclopedia
The Modular Expandable Armor System (MEXAS) is a ceramic composite armour
developed by the German company IBD Deisenroth Engineering. MEXAS was introduced in 1994 and has been applied on over 20,000 combat vehicles worldwide. The successor of MEXAS is AMAP
.
), and a backing like kevlar
. MEXAS also includes spall
-liner. MEXAS is normally not the only protection of a vehicle, it is normally overlaid on rolled homogeneous armour
.
warheads. MEXAS-H is for use on heavy vehicles like MBTs
.
like the ATF Dingo
or the Panzerhaubitze 2000. Other vehicles like the Fuchs 1A7 or the Leopard 2A5
have been upgraded with MEXAS.
Prior deployment on peace-keeping missions, vehicles can be fitted with MEXAS. Norwegian M113s and German MAN trucks have been fitted with MEXAS prior their deployment in KFOR. Some Canadian Leopard 1s have been upgraded with MEXAS. Uparmoured Canadian Leopard 1s have been used in the KFOR and as part of the ISAF
in Afghanistan. Other vehicles armoured or upgraded with MEXAS include:
- Pansarbandvagn 302
- Combat Vehicle 90
- Spz Ulan
- Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
- Leopard 2
tanks of Germany, Greece, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden - Textron ASV
- Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle
, Leopard C2 - Bionix AFV
, Bionix
Composite armour
Composite armour is a type of vehicle armour consisting of layers of different material such as metals, plastics, ceramics or air. Most composite armour are lighter than their all-metal equivalent, but instead occupy a larger volume for the same resistance to penetration...
developed by the German company IBD Deisenroth Engineering. MEXAS was introduced in 1994 and has been applied on over 20,000 combat vehicles worldwide. The successor of MEXAS is AMAP
Advanced Modular Armor Protection
Advanced Modular Armor Protection is modular composite armour concept, developed by the German company IBD Deisenroth Engineering. According to IBD AMAP is a 4th generation composite armour, making use of nano-ceramics and modern steel alloy technologies.AMAP is the successor of MEXAS.Some modules...
.
Structure
The exact composition of MEXAS is secret, but it is known that MEXAS consist of a splinter foil-like specialized Nylon, ceramics (Aluminium oxideAluminium oxide
Aluminium oxide is an amphoteric oxide with the chemical formula 23. It is commonly referred to as alumina, or corundum in its crystalline form, as well as many other names, reflecting its widespread occurrence in nature and industry...
), and a backing like kevlar
Kevlar
Kevlar is the registered trademark for a para-aramid synthetic fiber, related to other aramids such as Nomex and Technora. Developed at DuPont in 1965, this high strength material was first commercially used in the early 1970s as a replacement for steel in racing tires...
. MEXAS also includes spall
Spall
Spall are flakes of a material that are broken off a larger solid body and can be produced by a variety of mechanisms, including as a result of projectile impact, corrosion, weathering, cavitation, or excessive rolling pressure...
-liner. MEXAS is normally not the only protection of a vehicle, it is normally overlaid on rolled homogeneous armour
Rolled homogeneous armour
Rolled homogeneous armour is a type of steel which is used to armour vehicles.-Composition:Armoured steel must be hard yet impervious to shock in order to resist high velocity metal projectiles. Steel with these characteristics is produced by processing cast steel billets of appropriate size and...
.
Variants
MEXAS exists in three versions. MEXAS-L (light) offers protection against small-calibre rounds and can also be fitted on soft-skinned vehicles like MAN military trucks. MEXAS-M (medium) protects the vehicle against autocannon and RPGs with HEATHeat
In physics and thermodynamics, heat is energy transferred from one body, region, or thermodynamic system to another due to thermal contact or thermal radiation when the systems are at different temperatures. It is often described as one of the fundamental processes of energy transfer between...
warheads. MEXAS-H is for use on heavy vehicles like MBTs
Main battle tank
A main battle tank , also known as a battle tank or universal tank, is a tank that fills the heavy direct fire role of many modern armies. They were originally conceived to replace the light, medium, heavy and super-heavy tanks. Development was spurred onwards in the Cold War with the development...
.
Applications
MEXAS is used on several vehicles of the German ArmyGerman Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
like the ATF Dingo
ATF Dingo
The ATF Dingo is a German heavily armored military infantry mobility vehicle based on a Unimog chassis with a V-hull design, produced by the company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann . It is designed to withstand land mines, rifle fire, artillery fragments and NBC-threats. ATF stands for...
or the Panzerhaubitze 2000. Other vehicles like the Fuchs 1A7 or the Leopard 2A5
Leopard 2
The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
have been upgraded with MEXAS.
Prior deployment on peace-keeping missions, vehicles can be fitted with MEXAS. Norwegian M113s and German MAN trucks have been fitted with MEXAS prior their deployment in KFOR. Some Canadian Leopard 1s have been upgraded with MEXAS. Uparmoured Canadian Leopard 1s have been used in the KFOR and as part of the ISAF
ISAF
ISAF may refer to:* International Sailing Federation, the world governing body for Olympic and other competitive sailing.* International Security Assistance Force, the NATO-led security mission operating in Afghanistan since 2001....
in Afghanistan. Other vehicles armoured or upgraded with MEXAS include:
- Pansarbandvagn 302
Pansarbandvagn 302
Pansarbandvagn 302 , is a Swedish high mobility armoured personnel carrier that was developed to meet the operational requirements of the Swedish Army. It was designed and manufactured by Hägglund and Söner in Örnsköldsvik . The design was commissioned in 1961 as a replacement for the Pbv 301....
- Combat Vehicle 90
Combat Vehicle 90
The Combat Vehicle 90 or Stridsfordon 90 is a Swedish infantry fighting vehicle designed by Hägglunds where the first generation was fitted with a Bofors turret. It is currently produced by BAE Systems Hägglunds.-Background:...
- Spz Ulan
ASCOD AFV
The ASCOD armoured fighting vehicle family is the product of a cooperation agreement between Austrian Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG and Spanish Santa Bárbara Sistemas The ASCOD (Austrian Spanish Cooperation Development) armoured fighting vehicle family is the product of a cooperation agreement between...
- Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé
The Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé or VAB is an armoured personnel carrier and support vehicle designed by the Euro Mobilité Division of GIAT Industries of France. It entered service in 1976; around 5,000 were produced.- Design :The VAB was designed as a wheeled troop transporter, complementing the...
- Leopard 2
Leopard 2
The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the early 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army. Various versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and twelve...
tanks of Germany, Greece, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden - Textron ASV
M1117 Armored Security Vehicle
The M1117 Guardian Armored Security Vehicle, or ASV, is an internal security vehicle manufactured by Cadillac Gage of Textron for use by the U.S. Army's Military Police Corps...
- Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle
Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle
The Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle is a lightly armoured fighting vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada for the Canadian Forces, for use in the reconnaissance role....
, Leopard C2 - Bionix AFV
Bionix AFV
The Bionix is a family of tracked Singaporean armoured fighting vehicles developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics . Intended to augment the Singapore Army's aging M113 armoured personnel carriers, it is the first indigenous armoured vehicle to be developed in Southeast Asia...
, Bionix
Bionix
Bionix was a late night anime program block on the Canadian television channel YTV. From September 2009-February 7, 2010, it aired on Friday nights around 4:00pm to 2:00am and Saturday mornings/afternoons from 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 12:00am to 3:00pm , beginning on September 13,...