What is explosive reactive armor?

• A. Cancels out the effects of a projectile using a secondary explosion by exploding outward once detonated by the incoming projectile.
• B. Serves as filler between armor plates, which allows the outer plates to cave in and absorb the impact and explosion.
• C. A camera system used for targeting.
• D. A function of passive armor.

Answer: (A)

Explosive reactive armor works by adding a layer that contains an explosive material. When an incoming projectile—especially a shaped-charge jet—hits, this layer detonates outward, creating a secondary explosion that disrupts or fragments the jet as it forms. That disruption reduces the jet’s ability to penetrate the armor behind the ERA. In short, ERA is a reactive, outward-detonating layer that neutralizes part of the projectile’s effect on impact. This isn’t just filler between plates, nor a camera system, and while ERA is a form of armor, the defining feature is the outward explosive reaction that cancels or weakens the incoming jet.