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To protect the combat vehicles that France is procuring or modernizing as part of the Scorpion program, Nexter and Thales are developing the active protection system PROMETEUS (PROtection Multi Effets Terrestre Unifiée). Nexter recently presented the development status in a video on Twitter.

The active protection system against the threat of rockets and missiles was designed as an add-on protection package. Implemented in an example on the Griffon, there were two frames that enclose the hood and the roof of the crew cabin in a U-shape. There are radar sensors on each corner of the roof, which together detect threats from all sides around the vehicle. The two frames carry the all-round protective system with a total of 22 active elements.

Incoming threats are detected at a short distance and evaluated by the integral computer system. According to the manufacturer, the countermeasure is triggered and the threat is neutralized with a response time of less than 0.1 seconds. Residual parts of the threat can impact the vehicle, but should not cause any significant damage.

Active protection is complemented by passive protection against IED threats, including transparent protection with magnesium-aluminum spinel ceramic. The aim is to provide efficient, multi-effective protection.

The adaptive system is designed to neutralize traditional and future threats, Nexter reports in the video.

Final dynamic tests with PROMETEUS on Griffon are therefore planned for 2022.

Gerhard Heiming