N131-073 TITLE: Breakthrough Lightweight Transparent Armor Technologies

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

OBJECTIVE: Develop transparent armor materials or technologies that result in significant reductions in weight over the current state of the art.

DESCRIPTION: Transparent armors represent a substantial portion of the armor weight allocation for many ground vehicle platforms and usually weigh substantially more than opaque solutions designed for the same threat. In order to reduce weight and cost of armored vehicles, lighter-weight transparent armor solutions that maintain or improve on the ballistic performance of current generation solutions are required. Examples of current transparent armor technologies can be found in [1] and [2].

This program is seeking novel materials or technologies that can be incorporated into a transparent armor design that significantly reduces the weight over existing solutions. Since transparent armors are typically laminate solutions consisting of glass, polymers, and adhesive inter-layers, candidate technologies can address weight reduction by replacing or improving any of these components. Examples of technologies of interest include, but are not limited to, fiber-reinforced transparent composites, spaced arrangements, ultra-low defect strengthened glass technologies, improved bonding agents, and/or improved polymeric materials.

In addition to weight reduction, these technologies must take into consideration optical clarity, producibility, and durability. The end goal of this program is to incorporate the candidate technologies into an integrated transparent armor system for ballistic evaluation. Modeling and simulation are encouraged to guide the development of these technologies at either the component or system level.

PHASE I: Develop concept technologies to enable weight reductions of transparent armor while maintaining current levels of protection. Determine technical feasibility of concept technologies on a component level and propose an integration scheme for incorporation into a prototype transparent armor system. The desired protection level for a prototype system incorporating the concept technology is STANAG 4569 Level 3a [3]. Concept technologies should be developed to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 upon completion of Phase I. This would include mechanical testing, optical characterization, and producibility.

PHASE II: Construct and demonstrate an integrated prototype transparent armor system incorporating the concept technologies developed in Phase I. Conduct ballistic testing with relevant threats in accordance with ATPD 2352P [4] at a third-party, government-approved testing facility. Ballistic testing will ensure that reduced weight armor components maintain the level of protection typical of current state-of-the-art transparent armor solutions. Integrated prototype systems should be developed to a minimum of a TRL 5 upon completion of Phase II. Optimized design should undergo preliminary environmental testing as outlined in ATPD 2352. The goal for this testing is to determine any potential shortcoming for delamination, fracture, thermal stresses, and allow for optimization prior to Phase III durability testing.

PHASE III: Fabricate and install an integrated transparent armor system onto a USMC military tactical vehicle. Conduct durability testing over USMC operating profiles. Conduct full scale live-fire ballistic testing with representative fragmentation munitions and direct fire threats. Transition the technology to commercial military ground vehicle integrators and parts manufacturers.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Lightweight transparent armor materials will have application to private and state vehicles which transport VIPs and state dignitaries. Lightening the weight of transparent armor will reduce wear and tear on these platforms in a similar manner as military tactical vehicles. In addition, lightweight transparent armor can be used for stationary applications for government and private structures to provide ballistic protection.

REFERENCES:
1. Patel, Parimal J., Gary A. Gilde, Peter G. Dehmer and James W. McCauley. "Transparent Armor." AMPTIAC, 4, # 3, pp 1-13. 2000.

2. James M. Sands and James W. McCauley, ARL-SR-0164, "50th Anniversary Celebration: 46th Sagamore Army Materials Research Conference on Advances and Needs in Multi-spectral Transparent Materials Technology." Jul 2008.

3. AEP-55 STANAG 4569, "Procedures for Evaluating the Protection Level of Logistic and Light Armoured Vehicles, Vol. 1", Feb 2005.

4. ATPD 2352P, "Purchase Specification, Transparent Armor," Jul 2008.

KEYWORDS: Spinel, transparent armor, lightweight, materials, ballistic protection, armor

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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