Abstract: A carrier system that includes a multi-curve front body armor plate that is wearable on a front torso having a protruding chest. The strike face has a lower region with a lower convex portion shaped to follow a cylindrical contour of an abdomen and chest of the torso. An upper portion of the strike face laterally tapers to a top edge and curves backwardly to accommodate the protruding chest. An armor carrier of the carrier system includes (i) a back panel; (ii) a front panel having an opening that is sized to receive the multi-curve front body armor plate; and (iii) a shoulder harness connecting the front and back panels. The shoulder harness providing a support surface that rests upon shoulders of a wearer.

Abstract: A modular ceramic armor applique assembly includes ceramic armor element(s) that attach to an outer surface of a ballistic helmet and are held in place by structured envelope(s) to provide protection from rifle-fired projectiles at muzzle velocity. The modular ceramic armor applique assembly includes layers of substrate(s) disposed in one or more locations selected from a group comprising: (a) between the one or more ceramic armor elements and the one or more structured envelopes; (b) between the one or more ceramic armor elements and the outer surface of a ballistic helmet; and (c) between the one or more ceramic armor elements and the inner surface of the ballistic shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to helmets designed to protect their wearers from ballistic impacts and shrapnel. Such helmets are well-known, and are the current standard for law enforcement and military use alike. Whereas such helmets used to be made solely of steel, combat helmets are today manufactured primarily from polymer composites such as aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and metal helmets have been largely superseded in common use, if not considered entirely obsolete, since the 1980s. The present invention, described herein, allows for the production of a modern steel helmet which is lightweight and exhibits excellent ballistic performance—performance which is comparable if not superior to that exhibited by the best polymer composite helmets of our day.

Abstract: A lightweight antiballistic plate assembly includes a ceramic antiballistic plate that is strengthened with a superhard protective layer attached to the strike face of the antiballistic plate. In one embodiment, a strike face of the plate has a layer of superhard material, such as polycrystalline diamond (PCD), attached by sintering. In one embodiment, the ceramic antiballistic plate is made from a mixture of silicon carbide and superhard protective strike face comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline diamond (PCD), polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN), thermally stable polycrystalline diamond and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and compositions for lightweight composite antiballistic assemblies comprising interlocking ceramic plates or modules. The modules may be self-contained and include both ceramic and ductile elements. Alternatively, interlocking ceramic plates may be arrayed over a ductile backing layer of metal or antiballistic fiber or polymer. The ceramic elements may be enhanced with carbon nanotubes or other reinforcing nanomaterials. In one or more embodiments, the strike-face, or front-facing surface, of this assembly may feature a non-planar design to assist in defeating incoming projectiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides for materials and methods of making helmets that are comprised of a shell of aramid or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers. Such helmets are well-known and are the current standard for law enforcement and military use alike. The present invention, described herein, allows helmet wearers to quickly and efficiently affix lightweight ceramic armor panels to the exterior of their helmets, which subsequently offer protection from heavier threats, up to and including steel-cored rifle rounds traveling at over 3000 feet per second, e.g., the US Military's M855. The panels of the present invention are rapidly removable, offer modular and scalable coverage, and are engineered to fit multiple helmet designs. The present invention also discloses a helmet made using the materials and methods disclosed.

Abstract: An active camouflage system includes one or more imaging devices that are engageable to a first side of a subject and that is to detect a visual image, which can be visual and/or thermal. A display assembly includes of at least one display segment and is engageable to a second side of the subject. An active camouflage controller is in communication with the imaging device and the display assembly to receive a visual image; prepare a camouflage image based at least in part on the visual image; and display the camouflage image on the display assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and compositions for lightweight composite antiballistic assemblies comprising interlocking ceramic plates or modules. The modules may he self-contained and include both ceramic and ductile elements. Alternatively, interlocking ceramic plates may be arrayed over a ductile backing layer of metal or antiballistic fiber or polymer. The ceramic elements may be enhanced with carbon nanotubes or other reinforcing nanomaterials. In one or more embodiments, the strike-face, or front-facing surface, of this assembly may feature a non-planar design to assist in defeating incoming projectiles.

Abstract: The present invention provides for materials and methods of making metal and ceramic matrix composites reinforced with boron nitride nanomaterials for improved physical properties such as hardness, fracture toughness, and bend strength.

Abstract: A lightweight antiballistic plate assembly includes a ceramic antiballistic plate that is strengthened with a superhard protective layer attached to the strike face of the antiballistic plate. In one embodiment, a strike face of the plate has a layer of superhard material, such as polycrystalline diamond (PCD), attached by sintering. In one embodiment, the ceramic antiballistic plate is made from a mixture of silicon carbide and superhard protective strike face comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polycrystalline diamond (PCD), polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN), thermally stable polycrystalline diamond and combinations thereof.