Novel Field Repair of Composite Armor(1000-899)

The Phase I FRCA effort has developed a repair material “Ballistic Bondo” and proven it capable of stopping small arms threats from 7.62 x 54 mm up to .50 caliber Browning Machine Gun when combined in realistic thicknesses with the original armor plate being repaired, even when the original armor plate is badly overmatched by the 0.50 BMG. “Ballistic Bondo” is a putty comprised of various hard and flexible fillers to deform or deflect incoming projectiles and to provide toughness, all of the ingredients mixed into a highly adhesive polymer resin carrier, so as to allow easy application to various metallic and composite surfaces. Phase I application and ballistic evaluation trials have shown that the materials and application methods appear readily amenable to existing Army logistic and training doctrine. Triton Systems Inc. proposes further development and certification of Ballistic Bondo and its associated application procedures, including evaluating processing and performance at likely climate extremes and due to the inevitable variations in method of application. The bounds of achievable protection performance will be parametrically identified. Field trials will be conducted with and by cognizant Army personnel at active duty motor pools and depots to identify key practical physical and human constraints.