OPTIMAL ARMOUR (OAL) AT DVD 09
By Yvonne Headington, Defence Research & Analysis (DR&A)
25 Jun 09. Optimal Armour, based in Dudley in the West Midlands, has over 50 years’ experience in the design, development, testing and production of armour and composites. The Company boasts of having designed, built and tested some of the most advanced non-reactive armour systems ever seen (or not!). A range of materials, designed for the military, public and private security markets, were on display during DVD.
OAL’s mantra is: to provide the customer with the correct protective materials to do the job required. To this end, the Company “develops and certifies systems that are tailored for the requirements of the particular vehicle, system, person or building that needs protecting”.
OAL was originally established to develop flat armour systems; a product that originated in the 1960s. The Company continues to produce the same systems, providing protective solutions for a variety of static structures (such as banks, casinos and strong rooms).
Within the military sector AOL produces vehicle, aircraft and marine systems. Optimal Armour is currently fitted to the MoD’s Husky medium armoured support vehicle and the Springer All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Husky was among several Tactical Support Vehicles (TSV) unveiled during DVD while the Springer, designated as a Light Role Load Carriage Platform, was on view during an Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) demonstration in the presence of Defence Equipment and Support Minister Quentin Davies.
AOL has been involved in a variety of additional military armour projects including: the CH47 Chinook, C-130, gun shields for BAE Systems and full armour systems for landing craft. Specific requirements can be met, such as low Fire Smoke & Toxicity for aircraft. Body armour is also a sector which AOL claims “to know a thing or two about”, producing applications ranging from Homeland Security to ‘front line’ military requirements
All products are independently certified with soft and hard solutions available. Designs can be created from existing templates or from CAD data. The Company is constantly developing and testing new materials and is, for instance, currently developing a new transparent ceramic. AOL is ISO 9001:2000 accredited for the design and manufacture of armour and security products.