What exactly does a Droid ATMD do ? Is it an active or a passive protection system ? I can't seem to get a good answer on the web and I know somebody here should have the answer. I'm thinking of getting the Legend kit to add to my Meng Achzarit. Thanks in advance, Mark.

Maybe the answers will be flowing more freely if this was posted in the Armor/AFV forum?
Let me know if you want me to move it.
/ Robin

Robin, I was on Armorama when I posted this but the drop down discussion group menu doesn't include the individual sites. I guess i have to play around with it a little to get the post where i want it to go. I would appreciate it if you could move it. Thanks, Mark

Past postings here:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/226138

Thanks, Stuart

In short, it's a laser dazzle system to detect and disrupt IR and laser-homing missiles and cause them to miss: a soft-kill system. Similar systems fitted to some aircraft, especially transports. No use against radar guided or unguided projectiles, and apparently quite easily damaged in service by fragments, small arms and scenery. Needs to be placed high for a clear 360 line of sight.

It would be an outer-layer defence, possibly in conjunction with the Windbreaker ECM system, backed up by the Trophy hard-kill system, which fires interceptor projectiles, and finally by various forms of physical armour on the vehicle itself. Don't be seen, don't be hit, don't be penetrated.

Those are simply different names for the same system. Windbreaker is the Hebrew designation translated to English, while the export-version marketed as Trophy.

I still find it interesting that the "droid" is only seen mounted on a few vehicles in each company (or the IDF equivalent). Seems like either it provides protection for more than just it's host vehicle or maybe it's supposed to be mounted on every vehicle and currently, the IDF just doesn't have all their tanks set up in "go to war" configuration?

One note - it's not similar to the IRCM units mounted on aircraft. Those units have a laser head that actually moves and targets an incoming SAM. The droid doesn't appear to have this ability. I originally thought it might simply be a laser warning device but it's much too large for that function. I'm leaning towards it being a "dazzler" similar (but undoubtedly more sophisticated) to what the Marines had mounted on their M1's during early OIF days. Most likely tailored against the Kornet ATGM's which are now present in large numbers throughout the mid-east.