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The Trophy active protection system creates a hemispheric protected
zone around the vehicle where incoming threats are intercepted
and defeated. It has three elements providing – Threat
Detection and Tracking, Launching and Intercept functions. The
Threat Detection and Warning subsystem consists of several sensors,
including flat-panel radars, placed at strategic locations around
the protected vehicle, to provide full hemispherical coverage.
Once an incoming threat is detected identified and verified,
the Countermeasure Assembly is opened, the countermeasure device
is positioned in the direction where it can effectively intercept
the threat. Then, it is launched automatically into a ballistic
trajectory to intercept the incoming threat at a relatively
long distance.
Specific details about the composition and mechanism
of this explosive interceptor device are vague. From the briefing
provided by US sources, Defense Update understands that Trophy
is design to form a "beam" of fragments, which will
intercept any incoming HEAT threat, including RPG rockets at
a range of 10 – 30 meters from the protected platform.
The Trophy development roadmap considers an enhanced countermeasure
unit to be available in the future, and protect against kinetic
energy (KE) threats. Trophy was designed to effectively operate
in a dense urban environment, where armored vehicles operate
closely with integrated infantry forces. Therefore, direction,
formation and energy of the fragments are designed to ensure
effective target kill with low collateral damage, and low risk
to nearby troops. While not in use, the system is maintained
in the stowed position, protected by an armor shield. The system
has an automatic reload mechanism to handle multiple attacks.
The system can simultaneously engage several threats, arriving
from different directions, is effective on stationary or moving
platforms, and is effective against short and long range threats
(such as RPGs and ATGM). Trophy was designed to be effective
in open or closed terrain, including urban area and can be operated
under all weather conditions.
 On
March 30, 2006 General Dynamics announced the successful completion
of a firing test, conducted at the request of the Office of
the Secretary of Defense's Office of Force Transformation (OFT),
to validate the Israeli Army's tests that demonstrated Trophy's
ability to detect, track and destroy incoming rocket propelled
grenades (RPG) at safe distances from the host vehicle. Trophy
underwent this U.S. validation testing in support of OFT's Project
Sheriff, or the Full-Spectrum Effects Platform (FSEP). FSEP
program officials seek to meet urgent operational requirements
for a range of lethal and non-lethal technologies on a rapidly
deployable platform. Trophy was selected in 2005 to be FSEP's
active protection solution. During the test, Trophy detected,
tracked and defeated an inert incoming RPG while the Stryker
combat vehicle was on the move. Similar tests were successfully
conducted in Israel in late February.
 September
2006: The US Army opted to pursue a different system. Earlier
in 2006, Raytheon received a development contract to demonstrate
and develop the Quick Kill APS, to be integrated into the future
FCS systems. The Army faced mounting criticism about not considering
the Trophy system for the protection of its armored vehicles
deployed in Iraq. Maj. Gen. Jeffrey A, Sorenson, the Army’s
deputy for acquisition and systems management explained the
decision (AFPS)
saying the Israeli system is not a “produceable item.”
The Israelis have been working on the Trophy system for 10 or
11 years, Sorenson said. “If this thing was ready to go,
my question would be, why wasn’t it on the particular
tanks that went into Lebanon?” he said. No Israeli Merkava
tanks carried the Trophy system, he said.
Other problems include the fact that the system right now has
no reloading capability. Once it fires, that side of the vehicle
is vulnerable. Which brings up another shortcoming: the Trophy
can only be mounted to protect one axis. This means officials
would have to mount multiple missile systems on every vehicle.
The Quick Kill missile has 360-degree capability and a reload
capability.
Another worry is collateral damage, he said. “In a tight
urban area, the Trophy system may take out the RPG, but we may
kill 20 people in the process,” Sorenson said. “That
is a concern we have that we haven’t fully evaluated.”
However, an NBC report aired May
7, 2007 claims that in contrast to Sorenson's observations,
in a recent study
made by the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) requested by
the Office of the Secretary of Defense, following a law passed
by the US Congress, Trophy was found to be “in an advanced
state of development” (with a TRL of 7-8). while Raytheon’s
Quick Kill was judged a 3 for threshold capabilities (RPGs,
ATGMs).
April
2007: The development of the Trophy Active Protection System
has been completed, including integration of the system into
current AFVs as well as the introduction of reloading systems,
positioning the Isaeli active protection system as the first
available system in the West. Initial systems are expected to
go into new production and currently deployed Merkava tanks
as well as the new Merkava based armored Infantry Fighting Vehicles
(Namer). While the system has been approved for production,
which still awaits funding allocation. After the recent conflict
in Lebanon (July-August 2006), Active Protection Systems were
identified as a critical complement for the protection of main
battle tanks such as the Merkava
Mk4.
Trophy Light
a new version of RAFAEL's active protection system, unveiled
at RAFAEL's display at DSEi 07 is based on the Trophy system,
currently in production for Israel's Merkava tanks. Trophy Light
is designed for integration with light armored vehicles, such
as RAFAEL's Golan. The system will offer high probability of
kill against advanced threats, including the most sophisticated
shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket propelled grenades (RPG). The
system utilizes the same operating principles of the Trophy,
at scaled down proportions, facilitating installation on smaller,
light armored vehicles, and operation at shorter ranges, therefore
adapting to the typical operating environment of light armored
vehicles. According to sources at RAFAEL, the development is
a low-risk endeavor, as Trophy Lite will require only design
and engineering work on the launcher/ loader and munitions.
It is expected to weigh about half the weight of the standard
Trophy, originally designed for main battle tanks. The system
will use the same Elta radar used with the Trophy, and will
employ electronic enhancements contributing to significant improvement
in combat effectiveness. Trophy Lite is also expected to cost
less, positioning it at a competitive advantage in the growing
APS market.
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