Transparent Armored Windows for Ships

There is an expressed need in the US Government, namely Navy Topic N121-066, to develop a next generation, Transparent Armored Window (TAW) using advanced materials and/or innovative manufacturing process improvements for use onboard naval ships. As stated in this topic, the materials and production technology used in the current TAW design is more than 20 years old. The cracking and crazing that result from the current design and processes along with the chemical attack it is subjected to from some onboard cleaning products contribute to failures that jeopardize the ballistic protection properties and negatively impact visibility. Since the inception of the current design there have been significant improvements in the development of advanced materials and innovative manufacturing processes. The application of these advancements in materials and production technology will provide an effective means with which to improve the performance of the TAW to meet all current requirements while improving the current life cycle of TAW panels.