This invention relates to an armor system used in an air vehicle.

Armor systems are used to protect air vehicles and pilots against any attacks or sudden impacts on the air vehicle. In addition, protection against ammunition threats is becoming the most important need for air vehicles. For this reason, various armor designs are made and the most ideal armor system is researched. While armor systems are placed on the air vehicle, various open areas are provided on the armor systems in order not to restrict the vision of the pilot or pilots. Armor systems controllable by the pilot must be placed in accordance with the pilot's field of view. However, some systems can be operated by the pilot in case of an attack.

US8371636, which is included in the known-state of the art, discloses an armored seat structure placed inside the pilot and/or user cabins of land or air vehicles, such as a helicopter, truck or military tank. The document discloses that certain panels of the armored seat, which aims to provide full protection, can be moved to provide more ergonomic and effective protection.

LIS2011252954, which is included in the known-state of the art, discloses that an armor on an air vehicle, i.e. a helicopter, can be released under command control and/or autonomously. The patent document discloses that it is a jettisonable armor that can be thrown or removed via actuators on the helicopter surface with an input provided by a user.

Thanks to an armor system according to the present invention, automatic movement of the armor system is provided under an influence or attack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide additional protection to lifethreatening parts by using additional armor panels that can move vertically and horizontally in emergency situations. A further object of the present invention is to provide a practical, durable, effective and safe armor system production.

The armor system realized to achieve the object of the invention, which is defined in the first claim and other claims dependent thereon, comprises a body on an air vehicle; at least one load suddenly striking the body; at least one main armor on the body, which allows the body to be protected against impacts coming from outside the body; at least one actuator enabling the main armor to move left or right in a single direction on the body; at least one control unit enabling the main armor to move in a single direction and orientation upon a signal provided to the actuator. The main armor can be moved in a single direction. When a load touches the main armor, it is moved by the actuator according to the signal sent by the control unit. The main armor can only provide protection as much as the area it covers on the body. The body represents outer surface of the air vehicle.

The armor system according to the invention comprises at least one sensor that detects the impact or contact of the load on the main armor and enables measurement of a force or pressure or vibration or speed value caused by the impact; the main armor having a first position (I) in which the main armor is fixed on the body without a load acting on the body, and a second position in which, if the force or pressure or vibration or speed value measured by the sensor due to the impact of load on the main armor exceed a threshold value predetermined by the manufacturer, the control unit sends a signal to the actuator, so that the main armor is moved by the actuator from the first position to the second position so as to protect the area it covers, thereby protecting different regions of the body. The main armor protects an area where it is located in the second position. The sensor is located on the main armor to detect the load touching any point on at least one surface of the main armor or on a surface facing the outside of the body. The main armor can move on the body to protect any equipment, such as a fuel tank inside the body, and to take precautions in case of a sudden impact if the impact continues.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises at least one pilot located in the cockpit inside the body and providing flight control of the body; the load, i.e. an ammunition, sent to the air vehicle to attack its target; the main armor located between the pilot and the body, on both the right and left sides of the pilot, to protect the pilot against attacks performed by means of the load. The main armor on both sides of the pilot moves actively during the attack in order not to block the pilot's field of vision.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises at least one auxiliary armor and at least one additional armor located on the main armor; an open position in which auxiliary armor and additional armor extend outward from the main armor to almost completely protect the pilot, based on data received from the sensor; a closed position in which auxiliary armor and additional armor are brought from the open position towards the main armor and are almost completely contained within the main armor, following completion of the attack; the actuator that enables the main armor to move between the open and closed positions on the body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises at least one rail located in both horizontal and vertical positions on the main armor; the auxiliary armor moving on the rail towards the pilot's head portion depending on the data received from the sensor; the additional armor attached removably and moving on the rail towards the pilot's leg portion according to the data received from the sensor. When the load hits the main armor, the auxiliary armor and additional armor move in different directions to almost completely protect the pilot's body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises the sensor, i.e. a pressure sensor, which is provided to almost completely cover the main armor and located on at least one surface of the main armor or on a surface thereof facing outside of the body, thus enabling measurement of a pressure value of the load that contacts or hits pointwise thereon. In this way, the additional armor and auxiliary armor are enabled to move if the value measured by measuring the pressure acting on thereon exceeds the threshold value.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises the sensor, i.e. an impact force sensor, which is located on the main armor and measures a force value of the load hitting the main armor. The sensor measures the force value of the load hitting the main armor, and enables the auxiliary armor and additional armor to move if this value exceeds a certain threshold value. In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises the sensor, i.e. a piezoelectric sensor, which measures a vibration value of the load hitting the main armor. When the values obtained exceed a threshold value for vibration, movement of the auxiliary armor and additional armor is enabled.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises the auxiliary armor and additional armor that extend telescopically outward from the main armor. It comprises the auxiliary armor and additional armor that telescopically extends outwards or retracts over the main armor.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises a first bracket, with one end connected to the auxiliary armor and the other end to the actuator, which enables the vertical movement of the auxiliary armor on the rail to bring it to the open position; a second bracket, with one end connected to the additional armor and the other end to the actuator, which enables the additional armor to move on the rail to be brought to the open position.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises the actuator operating with a servo motor and a pneumatic system. Therefore, the actuator occupies less space.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises the main armor, auxiliary armor and additional armor that are made of a ceramic matrix composite material. Thus, lighter and more effective protection is provided.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises the auxiliary armor and additional armor that are moved simultaneously by the control unit by means of the actuator, thus providing a safer protection.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system comprises the body provided on a rotary wing aircraft, which may be a helicopter.

The armor system realized to achieve the object of the invention is illustrated in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the armor system.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the armor system.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the main armor (3) in the first position (I).

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the main armor (3) in the second position (II).

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) in the open position (III).

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) in the closed position (IV).

Figure 7 is a schematic view of the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) in the closed position (IV).

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) in the open position (IV).

All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

1. Armor System

2. Body

3. Main Armor

4. Actuator

5. Control Unit

6. Sensor

7. Auxiliary Armor

8. Additional Armor

9. Rail

10. First Bracket

11. Second Bracket

(I) First Position

(II) Second Position

(III) Open Position

(IV) Closed Position

(P) Pilot

(W) Load The armor system (1) comprises a body (2) on an air vehicle; at least one load (W) hitting the body (2); at least one main armor (3) on the body (2), which allows the protection of an area it covers on the body (2) against the impacts caused by the load (W) hitting thereon; at least one actuator (4) enabling the main armor (3) to move on the body (2); at least one control unit (5) that controls movement of the main armor (3) upon a command transmitted by the control unit (5) to the actuator (4) (Figure - 1 , Figure - 2).

The armor system (1) according to the invention comprises at least one sensor (6) located on the main armor (3) and detecting a contact of the load (W) on the main armor (3); a first position (I) in which the main armor (3) is located on the body; a second position (II) of the main armor (3) in which, if a value detected by the sensor (6) as a result of the load (W) contacting the main armor (3) exceeds a threshold value predetermined by the manufacturer, the main armor (3) is moved from the first position (I) to protect the area it is brought, wherein the main armor (3) protects different areas of the body (2) thanks to the first position (I) and the second position (II) (Figure - 3, Figure - 4).

It comprises a body (2) located at the air vehicle; at least one load (W) contacting or hitting the body (2); at least one main armor (3) that provides protection of an area equal to the area it covers on the body (2) against the effects of the load (W) hitting thereon; at least one actuator (4) that enables the main armor (3) to move on the body (2); at least one control unit (5) that sends a signal to the actuator (4) to enable the main armor (3) to move on the body (2) (Figure - 5, Figure - 6).

It comprises at least one sensor (6) located on the main armor (3) to measure the values created by the impact of the load (W) hitting the main armor (3). It comprises the main armor (3) having a first position (I) in which the main armor (3) is fixed on the body (2) without the effect of load (W); a second position (II) in which the main armor (3) moved from the first position (I) in case the values detected by the sensor (6) due to the contact of the load (W) on the main armor (3) are higher than threshold values determined by the manufacturer. The main armor (3) protects the area it is located, in the second position (II). Thus, since it is located in different areas on the body (2), it protects different parts of the body (2). In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises at least one pilot (P) which is located in the body (2), at the cockpit of the air vehicle, for the flight control of the body (2); the load (W), which is an ammunition sent to attack the air vehicle; the main armor (3) located inside the body (2) to protect the pilot (P) against attacks by load (W). It comprises the main armor (3) located so as not to obstruct the pilot's (P) field of vision during the attack.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises at least one auxiliary armor (7) and at least one additional armor (8) that are located on the main armor (3); an open position (III) in which the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) extend outward from the main armor (3) and almost completely protect the pilot (P), depending on the data received from the sensor (6) when the load (W) contacts the main armor (3); a closed position (IV) to which the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) are moved and remain almost completely in the main armor (3); the actuator (4) that enables the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) to move between the open position (III) and closed position (IV) on the main armor (3). It comprises the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) that move both horizontally and vertically at the time of attack or when the load (W) contacts the main armor (3) (Figure - 7, Figure - 8).

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises at least one rail (9) located on the main armor (3); the auxiliary armor (7) attached removably on the main armor (3) and moving on the rail (9) towards the head portion of the pilot (P), depending on the data received from the sensor (6); the additional armor (8) attached removably to the main armor (3) and moving on the rail (9) towards the leg portion of the pilot (P), depending on the data received from the sensor (6). Thus, protection is provided such that the pilot's (P) body is almost completely covered, without restricting the pilot's (P) field of vision.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises the sensor (6) which is a pressure sensor located to almost completely cover the main armor (3) for measuring a pressure value of the load (W) contacting the main armor (3). If the pressure value of the weight (W) hitting the main armor (3) exceeds the threshold pressure value, the actuator (4) is activated. In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises the sensor (6) which is an impact force sensor enabling measurement of a force value of the load (W) contacting the main armor (3). If the force value obtained is higher than a threshold force value, the actuator (4) is activated.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises the sensor (6) which is a piezoelectric sensor enabling measurement of a vibration value of the load contacting the main armor (3). If the vibration value obtained is higher than a threshold vibration value, the actuator (4) is activated.

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) that extend telescopically outwards from the main armor (3). Therefore, it can be inserted and removed from the main armor (3).

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises a first bracket (10), with one end connected to the auxiliary armor (7) and the other end to the actuator (4), which enables the auxiliary armor (7) to move on the rail (9); a second bracket (11), with one end connected to the additional armor (8) and the other end to the actuator (4), thus enabling the additional armor (8) to move on the rail (9). Thanks to the first bracket (10) and the second bracket (11), the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) are supported. It enables the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) to move between the open position (III) and the closed position (IV).

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises the actuator operated by a pneumatic system. Therefore, it comprises a more effective actuator (4).

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises the main armor (3), auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) made of a ceramic matrix composite material. Therefore, it comprises a more effective and reliable main armor (3).

In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises the auxiliary armor (7) and additional armor (8) that are moved simultaneously by the actuator (4) triggered by the control unit (5). Thus, pilot (P) safety is ensured more effectively. In an embodiment of the invention, the armor system (1) comprises the body (2) located on a rotary wing air vehicle.