Soomustamine

Soomustamine is the process of applying protective armor to vehicles, equipment, and structures to withstand ballistic, explosive, and other forms of damage. The term comes from Estonian soomus meaning armor, with the suffix -tamine denoting the action or process of armoring.

Applications include military vehicles such as tanks, armored fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers; security and police vehicles; armored buildings and critical infrastructure; and protective enclosures for sensitive equipment. Armoring aims to reduce penetration, limit spall, and improve survivability under blast and ballistic threats.

Materials and methods used in soomustamine vary by threat and weight requirements. Steel plate armor, including rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) and face-hardened variants, provides baseline protection. Composite armors combine ceramics, metals, and polymers to improve protection-to-weight ratios. Ceramic armor tiles and ceramic-faced composites resist penetration more efficiently than steel alone. Aramid fibers and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene laminates offer lighter protection options. Reactive armor uses explosive elements to disrupt shaped charges. Modern systems often employ modular armor kits with spacers and spall liners to manage blast effects. Attachment methods include welding, riveting, bolting, and adhesives, with design considerations for weight, balance, and heat management.

Design considerations cover threat level, weight constraints, vehicle geometry, and integration with suspension and powertrain, as well as cost and maintenance. Protection standards and testing protocols, such as those referenced in STANAG 4569 for vehicle protection levels, help guide specification and certification processes.

Historically, armoring has roots in fortifications and personal armor, evolving into vehicle armoring in the early 20th century and advancing through the development of composite and reactive systems in later decades.