Introduction
High Temperature Performance
Structural composite armor systems degrade in high temperature environments due to the physical properties of resin systems used for vacuum assisted resin transfer molding. These resin systems have thermal glass transition temperatures that are too low, leading to mechanical failure, decrease in anti-ballistic performance, and reduced life cycle when operating temperatures meet and exceed 74ºC. To address the elevated temperature issues, Advanced Armor Research Group (AARG) has teamed with a leading chemical manufacturer to introduce an advanced resin with improved toughness and thermal performance to our structurally engineered composite armor systems.
The resin system has been engineered to improve damage tolerance and multi-hit performance of structural composite armor systems in the hottest environments. When cured, the resin system has a thermal glass transition temperature which is much higher than currently available resin systems used for anti-ballistic composite armor.
The mechanical properties have been optimized for improved fracture toughness to minimize structural damage by absorbing more energy to localize back face deflection, which improves the multi-hit performance at reduced weight. The fracture toughness (critical strain energy release rate G1C) measured according to ASTM D 5045-95 is a significant improvement (>30%) over current resins used in structural composite armor. The improved composite toughness and thermal performance in combination with cost effective strike face materials give AARG’s structurally engineered armor systems improved impressive multi-hit performance.
AARG has scaled up and tested structurally engineered armor solutions for STANAG 4569 Levels 2,3,4, and 5 using this improved resin system. AARG utilizes a proprietary integration method to bolt anti-ballistic panels to structural frames to maximize the panel structural integrity additionally supporting multi-hit performance during testing.
Back face deflection
Back face deflection is a critical structural element of B-Kit armor systems. Minimum deflection as provided by the AARG engineered armor systems allows these systems to be installed either directly or with minimal spacing from the vehicle hull. Which facilitates improved center of gravity for the vehicle. We can mount within an inch of the vehicle skin. The further removed from the skin of the vehicle the more issues with rollover, overall width, and excessive demands on the CG of the vehicle.
Life cycle cost
The improved mechanical strength of our armor system structure results in improved durability and survivability.
Additionally, we have run over 5000 thermal cycles on our armor to simulate environmental wear with no degradation in performance. This rigorus testing is to increase confidance that the armor will perform as expected challenged.
Summary
AARG has tackled and solved some of the more persistent long-term issues in the armor industry. Improved thermal performance helps with a broader operational profile. Superior multi hit performance equals improved survivability and longer response times. Reduced back-face deflection results in improved stability and improvements in life cycle cost helps with affordability. Look forward to discussing your specific challenges. We will see you at DSEI in September.
AARG is a member of the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC), America’s premier entity for the research and development of manned and unmanned military ground vehicles. Our membership gives us access to NAMC’s Ground Vehicle System Other Transactions Agreement (OTA), W15QKN-17-9-1025. Federal agencies use OTAs to obtain or advance research and for R&D prototypes. OTAs allow the Government to pursue projects through a “one-stop-shop” of advanced technology partners through NAMC. The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) manages the OTA through its Acquisition Management Office. Projects are under contract for an average of 120 days or less from the time an approved Statement of Work is provided to the Agreements Officer. For more information on the NAMC OTA: https://www.namconsortium.org/
Contacts:
Bob Cowan 310-758-0025
Doug Davis 703-509-4815