Alternative Lightweight Solution to the E-SAPI

Advancements in the Small Arms Protective Inserts are continually being made in order to provide lighter weight and more efficient ballistic protection for the U.S. Marine Corps and other military personnel. The USMC has challenged industry to develop new materials to achieve these goals. Texas Research Institute Austin Inc. (TRI/Austin) proposes a novel, multi-layer, composite armor system to reduce the weight burden while maintaining or exceeding the ballistic requirements for current E-SAPI plates. The medium-sized armor plates will be designed to weigh only 4.25 pounds. During Phase I, TRI/Austin will be working with a leader in ballistics testing and armor mechanics design and predictive modeling, as well as with a manufacturer of ballistic-grade ceramics. Ballistics testing will be performed using M80, Soviet 7.62x54Rmm ball type LPS, M855, and APM2 projectiles at an accredited ballistics testing facility. Environmental tests will be conducted that include water absorption, ultraviolet radiation resistance, and temperature effects to ensure that the new armor plates maintain ballistic effectiveness under adverse field conditions. The novel combination of ballistic protection materials will result in dramatically lower weight, enhanced durability, and ballistic effectiveness.