Lightweight Multilayer Nonmetallic Articulated Knee/Elbow Armor

In recent years there have been significant improvements in the Army personnel body armor in the area of the head, torso and feet. The new generation of armor is saving lives daily and is more comfortable, allowing greater ease of mobility for the soldiers. Unfortunately, without adequate protection of the joints, soldiers are still suffering devastating injuries. KaZaK proposes to develop next-generation protection systems for the knees and elbows. This lightweight armor will offer ballistic protection equal to the Army Combat Helmets. In addition, the armor will be comfortable for the soldier to wear and will integrate with the Army Combat Uniform. KaZaK will utilize their expertise in innovative ballistic protective materials to design a multilayer system, with constituents specifically designed to protect the soldier from blunt and ballistics impact, dissipate energy from the impact and provide comfort and ease of mobility. KaZaK’s Phase I endeavors will focus on material selection, modeling for ballistics impact, design of articulated joints and anthropomorphic shaping. KaZaK will conduct ballistics testing to prove the validity of their design. Phase I will conclude with verified prototype hardware that should provide the government with sufficient confidence in the design to move forward into Phase II.