[sci.military] How does reactive armor work?

sysmgr@KING.ENG.UMD.EDU (Doug Mohney) (10/17/90)

What are the principles behind reactive armor? I always thought that:

     A) Shaped charge plasma jet detonates underlying explosive
     B) Explosive force disrupt plasma jet
     C) Tanker lives happily ever after.

Now, I've been told by a more "informed" source:

     A) Shaped charge plasma jet detonates underlying explosive
     B) Explosive force throws metal plate "through" plasma jet,
        disrupting/deflecting it. 
     C) Tanker lives happily ever after.

Could someone please clarify the mechanism of how a shaped charge works?
Please cite sources/references to papers, as I have a friend who might wanna 
model it (altho' he doesn't know it yet).