Rafael’s Trophy active protection system is type classified, combat proven and works under all weather conditions. In an interview with SP’s Land Forces, Lova Drori, Executive Vice President, Rafael, threw light on the Trophy countermeasure technology.

SP’s: What is the concept of the active protection system? Why has it been invented?

Lova Drori (Drori): Trophy’s countermeasure is based on direct hit of multiple explosive formed penetrators (MEFP) at the threat’s warhead, causing disintegration of the warhead from the missile and in most cases without missile detonation. It was invented since the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) concluded that there is no other way or technology to protect a combat vehicle 360 degree against chemical energy (CE) threats.

SP’s: How is target detection and tracking done in an active protection system?

Drori: Trophy uses radar technology (four antennas to cover 360 degrees) to detect and track the coming threat. Trophy countermeasure will be activated only if the threat is about to hit the protected vehicle and the radar delivers to the crew an exact location of missile launcher.

SP’s: Is the system automatic when it is switched on?

Drori: Yes.

SP’s: Is the whole vehicle (tank or infantry combat vehicle) protected or only selected portions are protected?

Drori: The whole vehicle is protected while enabling the vehicle’s commander to neutralise a selected sector.

SP’s: Is it applicable round the clock in all weather conditions? Is the vehicle protected when the engine is switched off?

Drori: Yes, Trophy APS is type classified and combat proven. It works under all weather conditions as well as when the vehicle’s engine is switched off.

SP’s: What is the danger for the accompanying infantry who are outside the tank or ICV?

Drori: Since the trophy is activated only if the threat is about to hit the vehicle, it hits directly the coming missile’s warheads and in most cases will not cause threat detonation—the danger to accompanying infantry is minimal and in any case—much less than if the missile will hit the vehicle.

SP’s: What kind of design does this equipment have? Is it an “add on” equipment and detachable?

Drori: Trophy is not an “add on” system. however, it can be integrated to almost any medium (16 tonne) or heavy weight vehicle.

SP’s: What are the advantages offered by your Trophy system versus the Arena or the Shtora system of Russia?

Drori: Shtora is a soft kill system that is capable of defeating relatively small number of missiles and cannot defeat anti-tank rockets (ATR/RPG) at all. Arena will not cover 360 degrees and has a lot of collateral damage.

SP’s: Does the system take care of flat as well as inclined trajectory attacks?

Drori: Trophy will kill all known anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), anti-tank rockets (ATR) and-tank high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds, in all trajectories and without any limitations.

SP’s: What role does the range of the attackers weapon play in the protection system? Is a short-range of attack by a hand held weapon more dangerous?

Drori: Trophy will kill all the above mentioned threats, including very short-range shooting.