DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL ASSAY FOR PROTEASE INHIBITORS

Not Available The U.S. Army has long recognized the potential of composite materials as a structural and ballistic armor material to realize weight reductions while maintaining appropriate levels of structural integrity and ballistic protection. Current ceramic armor multi-hit performance is below full potential due to excessive crack propagation from projectile impacts. Recent advancements in Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) materials may offer a solution to the relative fragility of monolithic composites. CMC's are highly flexible in their total composition, allowing considerable options for additives, coatings and laminations, compared to monolithic ceramics. We propose to develop an integrated, lightweight composite ballistic skirt for ground vehicle applications. The materials and techniques developed under the effort will be directly applicable to the design and integration of composite ballistic fenders as an inherent project objective. In Phase I, we will define the ceramic material requirements and specifications, identify alternative skirt design concepts and integration approaches. This effort will include threat definition, system and material requirements, the identification of available data on the ballistic and structural performance of the recommended ceramic material, the establishment of material specifications and development of a feasibility prototype skirt panel section design concept. BENEFITS: Development of lightweight structural composite materials, processe