explosive reactive armour

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

Explosive reactive armour (ERA) is a type of tank armour designed to protect against shaped-charge warheads. It consists of a layer of explosive sandwiched between two thin steel plates. When a shaped-charge warhead strikes the ERA, the explosive detonates outward, neutralizing the penetration of the warhead. This significantly enhances the protection offered by traditional steel or composite armour.1

ERA was first used on Israeli tanks in Lebanon in 1982. Its development was a response to new anti-tank weapons and the need for improved protection for tanks, which had become heavier due to advancements in armour technology.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

tank
Armour
…use, on Israeli tanks, of explosive reactive armour, which consisted of a layer of explosive sandwiched between two relatively thin steel plates. Designed to explode outward and thus neutralize the explosive penetration of a shaped-charge warhead, reactive armour augmented any protection already provided by steel or composite armour.
Read More
…use, on Israeli tanks, of explosive reactive armour, which consisted of a layer of explosive sandwiched between two relatively thin steel plates. Designed to explode outward and thus neutralize the explosive penetration of a shaped-charge warhead, reactive armour augmented any protection already provided by steel or composite armour.
Read More