Innovative Applique Attachment Methods for Army Vehicles

Creative Engineering Solutions, in collaboration with QinetiQ North America and its LAST armor solution, proposes to develop a switchable magnetic core element (SMCE) attachment system that breaks the traditional tradeoff of detachment time, isolation, pull strength, and weight which has been the limiting factor for all such state-of-the-art systems. Our novel system decreases attachment/detachment time of SoA by an order of magnitude without reducing isolation distance, and can adapt to adding weight to current configurations. We propose to develop, demonstrate and evaluate different design concepts: SMCE, SMCE arrays, LAST appliques, bayonet mount, and a combination of Velcro and SMCEs. Our team uniquely combines many years of experience in fielding light-armored systems with novel knowledge fielding magnetic products, in order to create fast implementation of the proposed system and benefit both legacy and Future Combat vehicles. The SMCE system will consist of: a clamshell-hold applique, offering damping ballistic resistance; SMCE unit for detaching/attaching without tools; a tailorable receiver base for pull load, up to 600 lbs for a single contact; and an attachment 2'x 2'aluminum frame. The new attachment methods and armor system will be applicable not only to FCV but also to selected civilian applications.