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Sydney, Australia: Armor Australia has recently met the first major contract milestone of a two year project to deliver and demonstrate a light weight, structural ballistic and blast resistant module system that could be used in place of steel for Defence vehicles. The project is funded under the Defence Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) program that is administered by Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).
Achievement of the first phase was recently approved by the DSTO. Of the numerous candidates considered during the first phase, one composite structural solution has been shown to provide far greater ballistic energy absorption properties than anticipated. With only 60% of the weight of previously known structural NATO STANAG 4569 Level 1 protection, it is also a number of kilograms per square metre lighter than common non-structural composite Level 1 protection.
Armor Australia has also demonstrated a new bonding material and related method for ceramics in ballistic applications that improves the energy absorbing ability and multi-hit capability of ceramic tiles. The bonding material also reduces the risk of tiles being damaged or dislodged during normal use that would otherwise create vulnerable unprotected areas endangering vehicle occupants.
Armor Australia is continuing to prove and develop combinations of conventional and new composite materials and manufacturing methods via its manufacturing base and in-house ballistic testing laboratory. The project will culminate in the supply of various prototype vehicle module similes to DSTO during 2007 for evaluation.
Armor Australia manufactures composite ballistic protection products and materials for a variety of applications ranging from cost effective building products through to Defence applications, as well as engineered composites for other industries including automotive, marine, aerospace, utility and mining.
