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Nothing will be universally effective but I think additional armor is being overplayed by the press. Land mines, IEDs and demolitions ambushes have been around for centuries. It seems that the media only recently discovered they exist. I can only speak from personal experience of 30+ years ago but I don't think things have changed that much. The VC used shaped charges and B-40 rockets. The B-40 penetrates 40 inches or more of reinforced concrete. Nothing but the most sophisticated armor was safe against it. The defense was stand-off --- chain-link fencing causing the round to detonate before getting to the target.
Most of what I see is blast, to include the damage in the above picture. Improperly installed armor inside the vehicle will also become shrapnel in the event of a blast. IMHO Iraq/ Afghanistan is sitting in the midst of the greatest armor factory in the world -- SAND!! I believe a layer of sandbags on the floor board of a vehicle could be just as effective as pieces of scrap metal. Probably more effective. Sandbags not only stop or slow down projectiles but also dissipate a lot of the effects of blast.
The solution to IED ambushes has to be vigilance, and knowledge due to proper training.
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