How do ships protect against torpedoes?

The effective anti-torpedo defense depends on early detection of the torpedo. Once the torpedo is launched, sonar tracking from ships and helicopters may manage to spot it in time to destroy it with anti-torpedo torpedoes or by maneuvering the ship away from any visible torpedo track.

Are there countermeasures for torpedoes?

Historically speaking, torpedo countermeasures have been a tool used to buy time for a ship or submarine trying to escape an attack, but 21st-century naval technology is changing the way they are used. Today, countermeasures can be used as a defensive device or as a distraction that opens up an opportunity to attack.

What is reactive armour used for?

Reactive Protection Systems Reactive armour (RA) is designed to neutralise the impact of shaped-charge warheads and kinetic penetrators. It can be integrated into the vehicle’s primary armour or employed as modular or applique armour attached over the vehicle’s organic armour.

How does plate tectonics affect reactive armor?

As the plates bulge, the point of jet impact shifts with the plate bulging, increasing the effective thickness of the armour. This is almost the same as the second mechanism that explosive reactive armour uses, but it uses energy from the shaped charge jet rather than from explosives.

What is electromagnetic reactive armor?

(March 2008) Electric reactive armour (also termed electromagnetic reactive armour, or colloquially as electric armour) is a newer reactive armour technology. This armour is made up of two or more conductive plates separated by an air gap or by an insulating material, creating a high-power capacitor.

What type of armour is most effective against shaped charges?

It is most effective in protecting against shaped charges and specially hardened kinetic energy penetrators. The most common type is explosive reactive armour (ERA), but variants include self-limiting explosive reactive armour (SLERA), non-energetic reactive armour (NERA), non-explosive reactive armour (NxRA), and electric reactive armour.