 |
 |
||||||
[August 2007]
Battelle and PVI Develop Advanced Armour Protection System
Battelle (Columbus, OH, USA) announced on 2 August 2007 that it had developed an advanced composite armour material systems solution capable of stopping the Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP) threat. It is exclusively licensed to Protected Vehicles Inc (North Charleston, SC, USA) for use in the company's ShieldAll™ armour system. When compared to other systems claiming to defeat an EFP, the new material composite system is claimed to be lighter, less bulky, multi-hit capable and made of readily available materials, thus remaining cost effective.The breakthrough advanced material system is a uniquely customised composite that includes metals, ceramics, reinforcing and patented binders. The armour solution can be tailored to specific threats and is modular for ease of installation, repair, replacement and modification. Battelle and Protected Vehicles Inc (PVI) collaborated to create the modular armour system trademarked as ShieldAll™.
The new solution was recently put to the test at two US government testing facilities in Maryland. A single component of the ShieldAll™ system can stop multiple armour piercing projectiles exceeding a 7.62mm threat. When combined with PVI's armouring methodologies, the complete system is capable of stopping threats from 50 calibre armour piercing rounds, to multiple EFP threats without the weight associated with conventional metal or ceramic armour.
"The ShieldAll™ breakthrough means tailoring the armored vehicles to the threat in the region. This can extend the productive life of the vehicle, and reduce maintenance costs," said its co-developer, Scott Versluis, a Commercialization Manager at Battelle.
"Battelle has been with us from the beginning, and we are excited to be working with them on this breakthrough," said Garth Barrett, President/CEO of PVI. "We see a tremendous opportunity to save lives with this advanced vehicle protection solution at a time when it is greatly needed."
Under the exclusive licensing agreement for the manufacturing and marketing of this novel armour, the companies plan to ramp up production to meet the varying needs of the military. In addition, they plan to continue development efforts targeted at further enhancing the armour's capabilities and developing a number of different protection applications and products.
www.battelle.org
ENDS