Abstract: A reinforced armor (200) and a process for reinforcing an armor by composite layering are provided. The reinforced armor (200) includes a core structure having a strike face and a back face, a first composite fiber laminate (220) having a plurality of composite fiber plies, bonded to the strike face of the core structure, and a second composite fiber laminate (225) having a plurality of composite fiber plies, bonded to the back face of the core structure. The process for reinforcing the armor includes creating the first and second composite fiber laminates from a plurality of plies of fibrous material impregnated with a resin matrix, and bonding the first and second composite fiber laminate to both the strike face and the back face. Advantageously, the reinforced armor (200) is capable of providing protection against hazards while having a light weight compared with a rigid armor such as steel or ceramic.

Abstract: Tensioned gun barrel liners, and methods and apparatus for tensioning gun barrel liners are disclosed. Tensioned gun barrels have been shown to have superior performance. The apparatus allows for axial strain to be imparted into the gun barrel using mechanical means while other embodiments utilize thermal expansion of the material such as metal that is used for the gun barrel liner to introduce the strain and maintain it using other mechanical means or applied material such as composites.