Lightweight Composite Armor for Missile Canisters(1000-435)

Triton Systems Inc. proposes to develop a low cost manufacturing process to fabricate Fiber Reinforced Aluminum lightweight advanced multi-hit composite panels to meet Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) armor requirements. The proposed Integrated Product Team (IPT) team will consist of Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control (LMMFC), the metal matrix and armor development teams at Triton. The PAC-3 and related systems such as the proposed Medium Extended air Defense System (MEADS) and similar missile launcher systems that are deployed in forward positions for terminal phase interception of incoming missiles are the primary benefactors of the proposed multi-hit armor system. These systems have come under significantly increased threat from small arms up to 50-caliber fire and asymmetric threats. A need has been identified for lightweight multi-hit armor that can be retrofit onto the PAC-3 system. This program has been conceived to defeat these small and medium caliber threats with significantly reduced cost panels that will form the backplane of the integrated armor. The armor system is projected to have an areal density lower than currently available, with the hard face ceramic tiles and mounting materials in place.