Chobham armour
Composite ceramic armour developed in 1960s at British tank research centre.
Chobham armour is the common name for a type of composite armour first developed in the 1960s at a British tank research centre located on Chobham Lane in Chertsey. Over time, the term has become a general label for any composite ceramic vehicle armour. It is also sometimes called Burlington or Dorchester. The broader term "special armour" refers to any armour that uses sandwich-style reactive plates, which includes Chobham armour.
Within the UK Ministry of Defence, "Chobham" typically refers specifically to non-explosive reactive armour and ceramic composites, while "Dorchester" usually describes additional armour packages made up of explosive reactive armour and spaced armour. In casual use, these terms are often mixed up.
The exact construction of Chobham armour is classified, but it has been described as ceramic tiles set inside a metal frame, bonded to a backing plate and several elastic layers. Because the ceramics are extremely hard, they provide strong protection against shaped charges like high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds and can shatter kinetic energy penetrators.
The armour was first tested during the development of the British prototype vehicle FV4211 and was first used on the production models of the British Challenger 1. Only the M1 Abrams, Challenger 1, and Challenger 2 have been publicly confirmed to use it. The metal frame that holds the ceramics is usually made in large blocks, which gives these tanks—especially their turrets—a distinctive, angled look.
**Protective qualities**
The extreme hardness of the ceramic tiles gives them strong resistance to shaped charge jets and causes kinetic energy penetrators to shatter. The pulverised ceramic also heavily abrades any penetrator. Against lighter projectiles, the hardness creates a "shatter gap" effect: within a certain velocity range, a faster projectile will not penetrate deeper but will instead be destroyed.
Because ceramic is brittle, the entry channel of a shaped charge jet is rough—unlike the smooth channel you'd see in metal. This roughness creates uneven pressures that disrupt the jet's geometry, which is critical for its penetration power since the jet has relatively low mass. This starts a cycle where the disrupted jet causes more irregularities in the ceramic, eventually defeating it.
- Developed
- 1960s
- Developer
- Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment (UK)
- Type
- Composite ceramic vehicle armour
- Also known as
- Burlington, Dorchester, Special armour
- First applied on
- British FV4211 prototype (first production vehicle: Challenger 1)
- Known for
- Superior resistance to shaped charges and kinetic energy penetrators
Lore & Background
Chobham armour was first tested in the context of the development of a British prototype vehicle, the FV4211, and first applied on the production models of the British Challenger 1. Only the M1 Abrams, Challenger 1, and Challenger 2 have been disclosed as being thus armoured. The framework holding the ceramics is usually produced in large blocks, giving these tanks, and especially their turrets, a distinctive angled appearance.
Reader's Guide
Chobham armour represents a significant shift in armoured vehicle protection, using ceramic tiles encased in a metal framework to defeat shaped charges and kinetic energy penetrators. Its development at the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment in the 1960s led to its adoption on several main battle tanks, including the M1 Abrams and Challenger 2. The armour's construction details remain secret, but its effects are well-documented: the extreme hardness of the ceramics shatters penetrators and disrupts shaped charge jets. The use of non-energetic reactive armour (NERA) plates, combined with hard armour layers, further enhances protection. The slab-sided turret design common to Chobham-equipped tanks is a direct result of the armour's structural requirements. During the second Iraq war in 2003, a Challenger 2 tank protected by Burlington LV2 composite armour survived multiple rocket-propelled grenades while stuck in a ditch, with the crew remaining safe inside for many hours. The armour's legacy is its influence on modern composite armour design, though the extent of its use remains undisclosed.
Did You Know?
- Chobham armour was developed at the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment on Chobham Lane in Chertsey.
- The armour's construction details remain a secret, but it is described as ceramic tiles encased in a metal framework bonded to a backing plate and elastic layers.
- Ceramic tiles in Chobham armour are typically about 25 mm thick and around ten centimetres in diameter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chobham armour?
Chobham armour is a composite ceramic vehicle armour first developed in the 1960s at a British tank research centre. The name comes from Chobham Lane in Chertsey, where the developing establishment was based.
Who invented Chobham armour?
The Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment (MVEE) in the UK created it during the 1960s. It was researched at their facility on Chobham Lane, which gave the armour its common name.
What was the first vehicle to carry Chobham armour?
The British FV4211 prototype tank was the first to be fitted with the armour. The Challenger 1 followed as the first production vehicle to feature it.
What makes Chobham armour special compared to other armour?
It provides superior protection against both shaped-charge warheads and kinetic energy penetrators. Within the UK Ministry of Defence, the term specifically denotes non-explosive reactive armour and ceramic composites.
What other names is Chobham armour known by?
It is also referred to as Burlington or Dorchester, and sits under the wider umbrella term "special armour." The term "special armour" covers any armour using sandwich-style reactive plates.
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