Low Cost Scout UAV Acoustic System (LOSAS)

Solectria's heat activated binder preforming techology provides a cost-effective alternative to the current hand lay-up techniques of assembling the preforms for composite ballistic armors. In Phase I, the currently used binder system by Solectria wasinvestigated. This binder characterization effort has provided with a down-selection approach that will be used in Phase II to select the most appropriate binder.The selection of the optimum binders will be based on an extensive mechanical and ballistic testing program of preforms made with binders that have: a) compatible, b) incompatible and c) hybrid behavior with the resin system at different binder weightconcentrations. The results will provide the necessary information for the design of two preform systems.The first one is a short-term, superior and optimized preform for the Mantech efforts that will offer equivalent ballistic performance to ones made currently. This will be available for demonstration and implementation on current Army combat vehicle designprograms such as the Crusader.The second one will entail the creation of an optimized armor system with graded properties through the preform thickness that will improve performance and reduce weight while still using affordable preforming. This technology will become available toinsert in future Army combat vehicles.