Lightweight Ballistic Armor for Military Aircraft

CBDO copolymers and nanocomposites are revolutionary transparent armor materials with higher notched Izod impact strength than any other polymer. CBDO copolymer and nanocomposite based aircraft armored transparencies will be lightweight, have superior anti-ballistic performance, and sell at commodity prices. Phase I armor laminates are to be made with CBDO based plies substituted for glass and polycarbonate/acrylic plies in currently fielded armor. Hard CBDO nanocomposites will replace face plies, and high impact CBDO copolymers will replace spall and intermediate plies. Phase I laminates will be used to demonstrate ballistic resistance to increasingly powerful weapon challenges in live fire tests building up to a 7.62 x 39 mm in the base period, and 7.62 x 51 mm in the option period. The net change in areal density for aircraft windows/windshields is expected to be 4 - 6 lbs./ft.2 for protection levels 1 and 2. Pilot production via OEM is identified and bids received for Phase II scale up. CBDO copolymer/nanocomposite armor resins in pelletized format - ready for sheet molding and armor laminate formation - are SMRC's product goal. Two transparent armor manufacturers and an aircraft transparency maker have signed on to help develop this new armor ply technology, providing test and aircraft integration expertise.