Abstract: A diamond-reinforced SiC ceramic composite material and shaped article. The addition of diamond to the microstructure greatly enhances properties such as hardness and Young's modulus. Such a composite material has considerable promise as an armor material. In particular, significant increases in ballistic performance can be achieved versus a non-diamond-containing composite, particularly versus the M993 threat. Reaction bonded silicon carbide (RBSC) ceramics with 7% diamond were shown to offer ballistic performance levels that matched the best commercial ceramics tested on the program.

Abstract: An armour system, comprising at least two elements, wherein said elements are arranged at an angle(?)°, characterised wherein said at least two elements comprise a plurality of perforations.

Abstract: Plural tiles are positioned in a plate-like array. The tiles have edge portions that overlap in such a way that no straight-through joints are present between abutting tiles and such that the thickness of the entire array does not substantially exceed the thickness of a single tile.

Abstract: A fiber includes at least a first portion extending axially and including a shear thickening fluid. The fiber further includes at least a second portion extending radially outwardly from the first portion. The second portion extends axially and radially encompasses the first portion over a length thereof. The shear thickening fluid may, for example, include particles suspended in a liquid phase. The second portion may, for example, include an abrasion resistant material. The fiber may further include at least a third portion extending axially and positioned radially inward of the first portion. The third portion may, for example, include a material having a higher strength than the second portion.

Abstract: An ordinance, such as a rocket propelled grenade, shield includes a net with hard points at select nodes of the net and cable guides on the side of the net. Cables under tension extend through the cable guides supporting the net typically in conjunction with a top cross bar, spaced top struts, and spaced bottom struts. This framis design facilitates entering and exiting the vehicle or structure.

Abstract: A non-lethal, sabot-deployed blast shield mitigates a suicide bomber by wrapping around the bomber and positioning a plurality of protective layers over an explosive device to absorb emitted heat, shock waves, and projectiles if the device is detonated. Stand-offs such as inflatable beams or pillows provide break-away zones between the protective layers, allowing some layers to expand to a point of failure and absorb the maximum possible energy. Inner layers absorb shock waves and heat. One or more outer layers resist projectile penetration. Protective layers can be positioned on opposing sides of a suspect in case two explosive devices are present. Shields can deploy with sufficient energy to knock down a bomber. In embodiments, a plurality of shields can be applied without interference therebetween. In some embodiments, a round shield includes bolas which spread the shield in flight in a cast-net dynamic and wrap around the suspect for shield attachment.

Abstract: An armor and a system for projectile neutralization. The armor has at least one serrated plate or louvered plate system. The serrated plate has a base, recessed lands, raised lands, and columnar projections extending from the recessed lands to the raised lands to form serrations on the serrated plate. The louvered plate system has a series of angled plates, a base, a top and a support structure connecting the louvered plates with the base and the top. The system has a serrated or louvered armor plate configured to reduce a kinetic energy of the projectile and re-orient the projectile upon rupture through the armor plate, and has a projectile-receptor configured to capture the projectile after rupture through the armor plate. Projectiles which impact on the serrated or louvered plate system have a kinetic energy thereof reduced and become re-oriented upon rupture through the serrated or louvered plate system.

Abstract: An armor structure for a vehicle underbody. The armor structure includes an inner plate that is mounted proximate to the vehicle underbody, the inner plate having a plurality of first openings; and an outer plate that is mounted distal to the vehicle underbody, the outer plate having a plurality of second openings. The inner plate and the outer plate are substantially parallel and separated by a spacing. The inner plate and the outer plate each have substantially equal V bends at an obtuse angle, and the V bends in the inner plate and the outer plate are aligned. When an underbody blast event is encountered by the vehicle, the outer plate is forced towards, and substantially against the inner plate such that fluid communication via each of the first openings is reduced or prevented.

Abstract: A protection system includes a net made of flexible, low breaking strength intersecting lines connected at nodes. A frame supports the net and spaces the net from a vehicle and/or structure. Hard points are disposed at least at select net nodes and feature a multi-sided body with a cavity therein behind a front face thereof. The body includes a lip extending into the cavity. A protrusion extends outwardly from the front face. A tapered plug is received in the cavity and includes a ledge engaged by the lip locking the plug and a net node in the cavity and securing the hard point to the net node in a pivotable fashion.

Abstract: The armor tile system embodying the principles of the present invention comprises one or more hybrid tiles which can be connected together to cover a protected structure. Various arrays of material layers may be utilized (1×1, 2×2, 4×4, 2×8, etc) within a hybrid tile system and multiple hybrid tiles may be mounted on the area to be protected. Each hybrid tile comprises one or more material layers stacked within a single metal matrix casting. Each material layer within a hybrid tile includes at least one reinforcement insert arranged along a common surface. The reinforcement inserts comprise material types suitable for containment, structural support, and projectile deflection and destruction. The armor tile system of the present invention is created utilizing a molten metal infiltration process.

Abstract: An armor structure for a vehicle underbody. The armor structure includes an inner plate that is mounted proximate to the vehicle underbody, the inner plate having a plurality of first openings; and an outer plate that is mounted distal to the vehicle underbody, the outer plate having a plurality of second openings. The inner plate and the outer plate are substantially parallel and separated by a spacing. The inner plate and the outer plate each have substantially equal V bends at an obtuse angle, and the V bends in the inner plate and the outer plate are aligned. When an underbody blast event is encountered by the vehicle, the outer plate is forced towards, and substantially against the inner plate such that fluid communication via each of the first openings is reduced or prevented.

Abstract: A protective vehicle body of non-metallic material comprises an integrally molded base (1) providing a floor and a lower body wall (5), the lower body wall having a lip (6) extending outwardly therefrom; and an upper part (2) providing a roof and an upper body wall, a lower edge of the upper body wall fitting within the lip (6) and being demountably attached to the base (1). The body forms part of a vehicle additionally having a front portion (8) including a front axle and a rear portion (9) including a rear axle, the front and rear portions (8, 9) being attached to the vehicle body by attachment means that are severable from the vehicle body by a blast wave.

Abstract: A concealable armored vest is provided. The armored vest can include a ballistic insert and a contoured member that overlies the ballistic insert to obscure the outline of the ballistic insert from view. The foam insert can include tapered end portions that flatten as they extend laterally outward of the ballistic insert. The armored vest can also include a downwardly extending retention panel having a retention member to limit vertical movement of the vest. The retention panel can be tucked into a lower body garment, and the retention member can be oversized to inhibit the sliding retraction of the retention panel from the lower body garment. The retention member can include a longitudinal foam element generally parallel to the waistline and generally coextensive with the lowermost portion of the retention panel.

Abstract: The present invention regards a composite material for ballistic protection comprising a ballistic fabric substrate having at least one surface provided with a polymer coating obtainable through foaming and subsequent polymerisation of a mixture comprising an acrylic resin and a polyurethane resin. The present invention further regards the method for preparing such composite material, as well as a laminated multilayer system, a packet for ballistic protection and an article for ballistic protection comprising such composite material.

Abstract: Textile armor (2) comprising at least one textile section (4) and corresponding supporting means (6), wherein the arrangement is such that the or each textile section is fully extended.

Abstract: A vehicle and structure shield hard point includes a forward facing base portion defined by a front face, sidewalls extending rearward from the front face including slots therethrough for the cords of a net, and a cavity surrounded by the sidewalls. A plug is sized to be frictionally received in the cavity of the forward facing base portion locking the cords of the net with respect to the forward facing base portion.

Abstract: An integrally formed high density ceramic pellet, for use in a ballistic armor plate, has a longitudinally extending body portion and an impact receiving end face. The impact receiving end face includes an impact receiving proximal segment that is convexly curved and a distal segment that merges with a top surface of the body portion. The distal segment has lateral surfaces that have a region including at least a portion which is concave in configuration or a region including a substantially smooth angled configuration. A cross-sectional area of the distal segment at the area of merger is greater than a cross-sectional area taken across a nominally designated base of the proximal segment. The length of the contour line of the outer surface of the distal segment is between 5 and 25% of that of the entire integrally formed impact receiving end face.

Abstract: Multilayer ballistic resistant articles formed from a combination of flexible and semi-rigid panel components. The flexible and semi-rigid panels may include woven fibrous layers, non-woven fibrous layers or both. The articles provide suitable protection against high energy ballistic threats, while remaining suitable for flexible vest applications.

Abstract: The Highly Survivable Urban Utility Vehicle (HSUUV) provides a novel way to balance the concerns of armor, mobility and cost. Prior art distributes armor to protect all areas of the vehicle evenly, thereby distributing the maximum armor weight capacity evenly. The HSUUV provides armored protection in levels, which vary depending on the location of the armor and that location's ballistic threat. Entrance to the HSUUV is located in location(s) other than the traditional side door(s) so as to provide additional armored protection in the area receiving the greatest ballistic threat. Using the HSUUV, soldiers can safely and quickly enter areas that they otherwise would have had to fight and sustain casualties to enter. The vehicle will give United States forces an unprecedented amount of flexibility, allowing for better strategic and tactical decisions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of manufacturing Anti-ballistic Shelters such as Quonset buildings or huts, tents, pipe, rod, tubular and other frame structures, doors, room dividers, cots, pads and umbrellas using soft armor fabric or hard armor materials. Soft armor consists of flexible high-strength layered anti-ballistic material attached to a frame and layered in at least two directions. Soft armor requires an area of flexibility or expansion to work effectively when struck by a projectile along with a very secure attachment. With the design disclosed within this application the soft armor fabric is affixed to frameworks by an inverted “T” fabric construction method or which allows the flexibility or expansion required for maximum anti-ballistic protection within the shelter.

Abstract: A polymeric coating composition for use in overlaying at least a portion of a substrate element composed of a plural component polymeric system composed of a reactive blend of at least one first component and at least one second component, wherein the first component is consists essentially of a polymer and/or a blend of polymers present in an amount sufficient to impart a predetermined amount of tensile strength, hardness, flexibility and adhesive strength to the resulting polymeric coating and the second component is an isocyanate or isocyanate quasi-prepolymer. The substrate element is a blast-resistant polymeric material having low surface energy and/or low reactivity at or near the surface of the substrate. Also disclosed is a blast and/or ballistic-resistant construction element composed of a structure having the aforementioned polymeric material in overlying attached relationship thereto.

Abstract: An armor component includes a plurality of tiles disposed on a rigid support. At least one spacer is disposed between the adjacent edges of the tiles to establish a minimum gap between the adjacent edges. The gap is filled with a gap filling material, which optionally includes a reinforcement additive. The spacers can be in the form of a spacer tray having a plurality of spacer segments and a plurality of tile cut-outs, with the tile cut-outs separated from adjacent tile cut-outs by a spacer segment, and tiles disposed one to each tile cut-out in the spacer tray. The armor component is in some embodiments placed between two fabric layers and fed into a pultruder, where it is impregnated with resin and heated to cure the resin to form a laminate armor.

Abstract: An armor structure for a vehicle underbody. The armor structure includes an inner plate that is mounted proximate to the vehicle underbody, the inner plate having a plurality of first openings; and an outer plate that is mounted distal to the vehicle underbody, the outer plate having a plurality of second openings. The inner plate and the outer plate are substantially parallel and separated by a spacing. The inner plate and the outer plate each have substantially equal V bends at an obtuse angle, and the V bends in the inner plate and the outer plate are aligned. The first openings and the second openings are (i) aligned across the spacing from each other, and (ii) substantially equal in area. When an underbody blast event is encountered by the vehicle, the outer plate is forced towards, and substantially against the inner plate such that there is no longer fluid communication through the first openings.

Abstract: An apparatus may comprise an outer skin having an exterior side and an interior side, an internal structure positioned relative to the interior side of the outer skin, and an inner skin. The internal structure may be capable of absorbing a blast load applied to the exterior side of the outer skin. The internal structure may be located between the outer skin and the inner skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to an armored door (5) for the crew compartment of a vehicle or fixed shelter, such door intended to block an opening (10) into the compartment and incorporating a structure (7) to the exterior of which at least one armor plate (12) is fastened. The armor plate (12) is fixed at a distance from the structure (7) and is separate from said structure by first deformable intermediate means (14) able to absorb part of the energy of a shock, the armor plate (12) having, furthermore, dimensions that are greater than those of the structure (7), and second deformable intermediate means (15) positioned between the rim (R) of the armor plate (12) and a wall (8) of the compartment surrounding the opening (10).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for battery armor including a first ballistic protection layer comprising a non-conductive material to provide ballistic protection, and a second ballistic protection layer abutting the first ballistic protection layer, the second ballistic protection layer including a battery layer. Exemplary embodiments for battery armor include layers of non-conductive and conductive materials to provide ballistic protection and electrical power.

Abstract: A protected firing platform protection system protects personnel from contact with the protected firing platform. In an embodiment, the protected firing platform protection system is adapted for use with a protected firing platform of a military vehicle. The protected firing platform protection system includes a protective padding attached to the protected firing platform. The protective padding includes an energy mitigation padding.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for mounting wearable ballistic body armor plates and accessories to a user. Embodiments may include a plate frame assembly comprising one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates. The one or more plate frames may at least partially house the one or more ballistic body armor plates and hold them in position with respect to the one or more plate frames. A method of embodiments may include providing one or more plate frames and one or more ballistic body armor plates and using the one or more plate frames to hold the one or more ballistic armor plates in a fixed position with respect to the body armor plates. In some embodiments, the plate frame assembly is resistant to the absorption and/or accumulation of liquids and chemicals.

Abstract: A ballistic shield for protection against up to 7.62×63 mm AP rounds (NIJ Level IV). The ballistic shield is multiple layered and includes polymer foam, ceramic tiles, and a support structure fabricated from ballistic resistant fabric. Individual layers are bonded with adhesives and preferably wrapped with fabric. Under the fabric cover of the exterior surface of the shield is a polymer foam layer that exhibits excellent blast impact resistance and blast attenuation properties as well as a hard ceramic or the like layer. The foam layer is preferably made from liquid crystal or semi-crystalline polymer to enhance fire resistance and provide enhanced ductility. According to a preferred embodiment, the man-portable ballistic shield of the present invention also incorporates a compact video system for viewing the front side of the ballistic shield thereby allowing for the elimination of the transparent view port weakness of current state of the art ballistic shields.

Abstract: An armor uses optimally shaped ceramic cross-pellets and a matrix for containing the cross-pellets. The armor comprises front and back plates and an array of interlocking ceramic cross-pellets of repeating shape between front and back plates. Each cross-pellet may have a horizontal cross-section in the shape of a cross and comprises a center and four fingers projecting therefrom. Each cross-pellet in a non-peripheral portion of the array may be supported by fingers of other cross-pellets which may include two fingers from each of four other cross-pellets. The result is lightweight, composite hybrid structure. The dense, hard armor has good fracture toughness, hardness and a high capacity to absorb impacts for ballistic protection particularly suited to tactical ground vehicles. Valley spaced is minimized. A polymer resin may be situated in spaces between the ceramic cross-pellets and between the array and at least one of the back plate and front plate.

Abstract: A fabric assembly particularly useful in soft body armor has two or more first sections each containing a number of fabrics made from yarns having a tenacity of at least 7.3 grams per dtex and a modulus of at least 100 grams per dtex. Each first section is comprised of connected and compacted fabric layers that are secured together by connectors having a force to break in tension not greater than 65 N. The connectors are concentrated along a series of parallel connector lines as viewed from the fabric on both outer surfaces of the first section, the connector lines being spaced from 1.8 mm to 51 mm apart defining regions between the connector lines where the fabric layers remain unconnected.

Abstract: An armor panel comprising an armor member made of a laminated material, having a predetermined ballistic capability and a first flexural strength. The armor panel has a covering layer having a second flexural strength essentially lower than the first flexural strength. The covering layer is bonded to the armor member. The layer is made of a fiber reinforced material such that overall flexural strength of the armor panel is greater than twice the first structural strength. The overall ballistic capability of the armor panel is at least the same as that of the predetermined ballistic capability of the armor member.

Abstract: A composite material able to dissipate the kinetic energy of a moving object comprising a layer of ballistic material bonded to a layer of porous matrix material which is impregnated with shear thickening fluid.

Abstract: A fabric comprising a first plurality of yarns, a second plurality of yarns and a third plurality of yarns wherein the first, second and third pluralities of yarns have a yarn orientation that is different from each other. The third plurality of yarns is oriented in an axial direction. The second plurality of yarns is interwoven with the first plurality of yarns. The third plurality of yarns have no crimp. The yarns of the second plurality of yarns have an average linear density greater than or equal to the average linear density of the yarns of the first plurality of yarns and the yarns of the third plurality of yarns have an average linear density greater than the average linear density of the yarns of the second plurality of yarns and less than three times the average linear density of the yarns of the first plurality of yarns.

Abstract: An armor panel includes a multiple of pins which penetrate a first skin, a high molecular weight polyethylene fiber composite material layer and a second skin which integrates ballistic protection into load bearing structure.

Abstract: An armored cab having at least an upper wall, two side walls, a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall. The armored cab and its respective walls include a longitudinal axis extending from the back wall to the front wall. The bottom wall includes at least one concave surface. The at least one concave surface faces downwardly and away from the armored cab, and is disposed in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the armored cab.

Abstract: The present invention's stratified composite material system of armor, as typically embodied, comprises a strike stratum and a backing stratum. The strike stratum includes elastomeric matrix material and inventive ceramic-inclusive elements embedded therein and arranged (e.g., in one or more rows and one or more columns) along a geometric plane corresponding to the front (initial strike) surface of the strike stratum. More rigid than the strike stratum, the backing stratum is constituted by, e.g., metallic (metal or metal alloy) material or fiber-reinforced polymeric matrix material. Some inventive embodiments also comprise a spall-containment stratum fronting the strike stratum. The inventive ceramic-inclusive elements geometrically describe any of various inventive modes, including: first mode, having a flat front face and a textured back face; second mode, having a pyramidal front section and a prismatoidal (especially, prismoidal, e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible article having resistance against ballistic impacts wherein said article comprises a stack of at least two unconnected plies, each ply containing at least two connected monolayers containing polymeric tapes and wherein said monolayers are free of any matrix material.

Abstract: A protective shelter is provided offering opposite outer supports and a roof structure extending between the supports, wherein the roof structure comprises a first layer covering a space between the outer supports and providing a first level of protection to the shelter and a second layer in the form of a pre-detonation screen providing a second level of protection to the shelter, wherein the pre-detonation screen comprises a plurality of individual panels arranged and supported over and spaced from the first layer, at least one of the individual panels comprising a first panel material presenting a substantially closed surface to an incoming projectile and at least one second panel material forming an edging strip to the first panel material and being of greater rigidity than the first panel material.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a shock absorbing layer comprised of one or more shock absorbing cells, where a shock absorbing cell is comprised of a cell interior volume containing a plurality of hydrogel particles and a free volume, and where the cell interior volume is surrounded by a containing layer. The containing layer has a permeability such that the hydrogel particles when swollen remain at least partially within the cell interior volume when subjected to a design shock pressure wave, allowing for force relaxation through hydrogel compression response. Additionally, the permeability allows for the flow of exuded free water, further dissipating wave energy. In an embodiment, a plurality of shock absorbing cells is combined with a penetration resistant material to mitigate the transmitted shock wave generated by an elastic precursor wave in the penetration resistant material.

Abstract: Laminate armor and methods of manufacturing laminate armor. Specifically, laminate armor plates comprising a commercially pure titanium layer and a titanium alloy layer bonded to the commercially pure titanium outer layer are disclosed, wherein an average thickness of the titanium alloy inner layer is about four times an average thickness of the commercially pure titanium outer layer. In use, the titanium alloy layer is positioned facing an area to be protected. Additionally, roll-bonding methods for manufacturing laminate armor plates are disclosed.

Abstract: A foam pad structure for helmets comprising a hard foam layer and a soft foam layer wherein the hard foam layer and the soft foam layer contain holes or channels scattered throughout the hard foam layer and the soft foam layer in a pattern so as to scatter an incoming pressure wave. A method of mitigating an incoming pressure wave comprising creating through-holes or channels in a soft foam layer, creating through-holes or channels in a hard foam layer, placing the hard foam layer inside a helmet shell, and placing the soft foam layer on the hard foam layer.

Abstract: A ballistic strike plate assembly comprises a first plate formed from aluminum alloy and having a first surface and a second surface. A titanium plate is has a first surface and a second surface. A sheet of ballistic gap foam is adhered to the first surface of the first plate and the first surface of the titanium plate. A multilayer ballistic fabric plate is adhered to the second surface of the titanium plate. A first sheet of ballistic wrap is disposed over the multilayer ballistic fabric plate, and has edges extending beyond edges of the multilayer ballistic fabric plate that are folded over the edges of the multilayer ballistic fabric plate. A second smaller sheet of ballistic wrap is adhered to the portion of the second surface of the first plate not covered by the folded over edges of the first sheet of ballistic wrap.

Abstract: Ballistic resistant armor material and assembly including a thin, rigid armor component for stopping and capturing ballistic projectiles, backed by a resilient component formed of thermoplastic elastomeric honeycomb material for absorbing projectile strike energy and reducing impact noise and/or blunt trauma injury. The armor component includes multiple layers of high tensile strength aramid fabric or the like sandwiched between front and back plates made of multiple layers of woven carbon cloth impregnated with an epoxy resin or the like. The several layers of the armor component are formed and compressed to provide a rigid outer shell that can advantageously be configured as planar or shaped to suit particular applications. The resilient component is affixed to the inside surface of the armor component and may include one or more layers of flexible honeycomb material having cells that are open, hermetically sealed, or perforated to provide fluid circulation therethrough.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure for armoring a motor vehicle is made of a steel plate and has a substantial hemispherical shape. The structure is reinforced by bending edges having an X-shaped configuration extending over the entire surface of the structure. Arranged between the legs of the X-shaped portion are sections which have surface areas between the legs of the X-shaped portion. The surface area of the X-shaped portion has a generally concave curvature, whereas the surface areas of the sections 11 have convex configurations in relation to the concave surface area of the X-shaped portion.

Abstract: An armor system and method involves providing a core material and a stream of atomized coating material that comprises a liquid fraction and a solid fraction. An initial layer is deposited on the core material by positioning the core material in the stream of atomized coating material wherein the solid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material is less than the liquid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material on a weight basis. An outer layer is then deposited on the initial layer by positioning the core material in the stream of atomized coating material wherein the solid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material is greater than the liquid fraction of the stream of atomized coating material on a weight basis.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a monolithic tile made for use in a composite armor is disclosed. The tile includes cut-out and/or through thickness channels spaced from each other at a distance greater than a dimension of the channels, in a plan view of the tile.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method to both reduce a degree of explosive shock waves and to absorb a degree of explosive blast energy from the undercarriage of a vehicle which comprises the use of one or more layers of rigid closed-cell spray polyurethane foam, applied to the armored undercarriage of the vehicle. This invention combines two key aspects: 1) blast suppression or mitigation materials that absorb energy and 2) traditional military hardened armor solutions. The effectiveness of spray applied rigid foam has been proven to both dramatically reduce shock waves and absorb energy from explosive blasts (e.g., IEDs).

Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft with a protection shield for the rear composite material, fuselage 25) for conducting tail impact tests, in addition to a tail absorber, the shield (11) being formed by a plurality of pieces (21) joined to supports (23) fixed to the rear fuselage (25) behind the tail absorber (1), said pieces (21) having a laminar structure with an outer steel sheet (13), an inner composite sheet (17) and an intermediate high resistance silicon sheet (15).

Abstract: A protection system includes a net with lines connected at nodes and hard points attached to at least select nodes. A frame supports the net and positions it in a spaced relationship with respect to a vehicle or structure. The frame preferably includes select adjacent tubular members connected via a flexure to prevent damage to the frame when impacted.