Relative Armor Thickness Calculator

Relative Armor Thickness Formula:

\[ RAT = \frac{\text{Armor Thickness}}{\cos(\text{Angle})} \]

Relative Armor Thickness (RAT):

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1. What is Relative Armor Thickness?

Relative Armor Thickness (RAT) is a measure used in armor penetration calculations that accounts for the effective thickness of armor when struck at an angle. It represents how much thicker armor becomes when hit at an angle rather than perpendicularly.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the RAT formula:

\[ RAT = \frac{\text{Armor Thickness}}{\cos(\text{Angle})} \]

Where:

Armor Thickness — Actual thickness of the armor plate (mm)
Angle — Impact angle measured from perpendicular (degrees)
cos — Trigonometric cosine function

Explanation: The formula calculates the effective armor thickness that a projectile must penetrate when striking armor at an angle. As the angle increases, the effective armor thickness increases.

3. Importance of RAT Calculation

Details: Calculating relative armor thickness is crucial for understanding armor effectiveness, penetration requirements, and designing armored vehicles. It helps determine the actual protection level offered by sloped armor.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter armor thickness in millimeters and impact angle in degrees (0-89.9). The angle is measured from perpendicular (0° = perpendicular impact, 60° = 30° from horizontal).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does armor effectiveness increase with angle?
A: When armor is sloped, projectiles must travel through more material to penetrate, increasing the effective thickness they must overcome.

Q2: What is the maximum effective angle for this calculation?
A: The formula works best for angles up to about 70-75 degrees. Beyond that, other factors like projectile ricochet become significant.

Q3: Does this calculation apply to all types of armor?
A: The basic principle applies to homogeneous armor plates. Composite or reactive armor may have different angle effectiveness.

Q4: How does RAT relate to actual penetration capability?
A: While RAT shows effective thickness, actual penetration depends on projectile type, velocity, and armor material properties.

Q5: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This is a simplified model that doesn't account for projectile deformation, armor material properties, or extreme angles where ricochet occurs.