The Centurion Mk.5/1 featured an additional plate added on top of the upper glacis, with the simulation presenting the 100mm 3BM8 APDS projectile, impacting this spot from 1000m.
The ~55mm diameter sub-calibre projectile features a 50x120mm tungsten carbide core, with a large steel cap to help reduce shattering. Layered plates tend to offer inferior protection than a single plate of equal thickness, due to the division, however against a brittle material like tungsten carbide, the asymmetric stresses when passing from one plate to the other may cause fracturing of the core. This doesn't seem to occur in the simulation, however when penetrating the second plate, the first plate is pushed upwards by the projectile (as it is unsecured to the second), making the projectile turn away from the armour -to the path of least resistance. This may increase the arrangements effectiveness compared to a monolithic plate but I would appreciate community input regarding this :)
Abbreviations used:
RHA: rolled homogenous armour
APDS: armour piercing discarding sabot
APFSDS: armour piercing fin stabilised discarding sabot
HEAT-FS: high explosive anti tank fin stabilised
ERA: explosive reactive armour
NERA: non energetic reactive armour
Amazing thumbnail artwork from: Yu. Gorbatenko [ Ссылка ]
![](https://s2.save4k.ru/pic/jxLpLMaXa4c/mqdefault.jpg)