Composite Structures for Ballistic Protection

Current armor solutions for wheeled vehicles such as the HEMTT, MTVR, HMMWV, and commercial trucks, is heavy, can be costly, and is limited in its ability to survive from Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threats such as the ones currently being seen in Iraq. What is needed is a solution that meets both 7.62 AP and Ball ammunition in addition to having a high likelihood of surviving roadside IED explosions. Armor solutions using Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) can be heavy, severely limiting the capability of the vehicle, or worse, used at a thinner gage that may not be capable of protecting from 7.62 and IED threats. Composite armor solutions have historically been costly, susceptible to fire damage, and can be difficult to attach to existing vehicles. Foam Matrix is proposing an innovative armor solution that uses commercial off the shelf materials combined with a low cost net molding process originally developed for commercial applications. The solution creates a hybrid armor that can either be used as a bolt on solution or can be incorporated into the vehicle structure, and is capable of being produced at low cost, in both flat and compound curved parts.