The response of carbon fibre composites to blast loading via the Europa CAFV programme

Modern military vehicles must balance the need for occupant protection against the competing requirements for high mobility and payload capacity. As such, there is continuing interest in the development of lightweight vehicle structures that reduce the overall mass of the hull and armour system, leading to a lighter vehicle. One way to achieve this is through the use of materials that can perform both structural and protective roles, reducing the mass of applique´ armour required to achieve a given level of protection. The aim of the 3-year EUROPA Carbon Fibre for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (CAFV) programme was to investigate the use of carbon fibre composites for use in military vehicle structures. Six nations took part in the programme, each assessing the benefits of carbon fibre composites in terms of their application to at least part of an armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) hull. For the UK, a lower hull section was selected as the focus for the research programme and, as part of the programme, assessed against mine blast threats