The DynaCellTM panel system provides cutting edge technology in the provision of ballistic, blast and fragmentation protection of personnel. Designed and developed in the UK for Dynasystems Ltd by Explora Security Ltd, and integrated into a shelter scheme in collaboration with Dytecna, it provides a scalable shelter protection system for a range of uses, including containerised accommodation. DynaCell is a fully tested and proven solution that offers through life economies and technological advantages against existing protection products.
A Government has a Duty of Care to its Armed Forces in the provision of equipment to best mitigate the risks of deployment. The considerations in planning are a combination of cost, length of deployment, threat, political perception and likely reuse. The first option is to use tents but they are limited to about 3 years of deployment. Container Units are favoured because of lifespan in relation to cost and their ability to be partially redeployed after refurbishment. Permanent structures are very costly and can be perceived as giving a signal of intent to the local population.
The use of non hardened shelters such as tents and containerised accommodation units requires ballistic protection which is currently in the form of a variety of concrete barriers or earth filled containers and other local solutions which come at a considerable cost. These do not protect against blast pressure which can cause catastrophic structural failure and casualties.
The materials used are also of a concern in relation to fire hazards and structural integrity in the case of an earthquake for example. The use of earth based systems is an increasing burden due to issues of single use, logistic burden in terms of the cost of fill and the fuel for the plant required to construct them. They are cumbersome and not well suited to a fast moving operational tempo where patrol bases can be required to move every few weeks or months. All scenarios that expose personnel to risk of harm and increase the deployment cost in executing a mission.
DynaCell was conceived against the above background to provide ballistic, blast and fragmentation protection. It is designed to comply with STANAG 2280. Its unique energy absorbing panels protect it and its occupants from the huge blast pressures experienced in incidents involving VBIEDs as well as fragmentation from the 122mm rocket and 120mm mortar.
In 2010 DynaCell was tested in several explosive shots against more than 1.5 tonne of explosive. The shelter was subject to a peak dynamic pressure of 25 pounds square inch (psi) and an impulse exceeding 250 psi.msec. In context, pressures above 5 psi will cause injuries to a human being. Despite the sever pressure and impulse condition outside the shelter, the DynacellTM structure successfully reduced the pressure within the shelter by 84% to allowable levels. Personnel would have walked away from the explosive event without harm.
In 2011 the decision was taken to trial DynaCell to its limits against an explosive charge weighing over a tonne at less than 40 m in front of UK & US Governments and various other NATO members. Two primary systems were tested; DynaCell SF and DynaCell FP. DynaCell SF has been specifically designed for use in forward locations and can be built by hand using less than 4 operators. DynaCell FP has application to much larger locations where more long term infrastructure is required. DynaCell FP can also be used in the construction of permanent buildings or retro-fitted to existing structures by cladding the structure with DynaCell panels. The 2011 trial results were impressive with both DynaCell SF and DynaCell FP providing incredible blast protection. Personnel would again have walked away from an explosive event without harm.
The developed layered protection principle provides a system to meet threats from Small Arms, Mortar, Rockets and Artillery as per customer requirements. Combined with t