Materials Development for Lighter E-SAPI Protection

The increasing need for ground combat forces in diverse theaters of operation and their need to move quickly in difficult terrain has created the requirement for a light weight armor system. Such systems allow for dexterity, ability to bend into distorted positions and allow for combat personnel to take cover in very tight spaces. The currently used rigid armor systems are effective but heavy and also restrict the mobility thereby compromising safety and increasing the vulnerability. Furthermore, most systems today are made with technology that has not evolved or changed over the last 40 years. In this Phase II effort, MMI will build upon its vast experience in nanotechnology and the creation of an armor system that is both comfortable and light weight such that it can provide greater protection and mobility/dexterity to the soldier. A unique armor architecture with a combination of materials has been demonstrated during Phase I that has the possibility of substantially increasing the armor"s ballistic mass efficiency and therefore allowing for a significant reduction of the armor weight.