Lightweight, low-cost armor panels for installation in soft-walled shelters

The U.S. Army's soft-sided shelters are in need of lightweight, modular, fire resistant, ballistic protection panels that will provide sufficient blast defense for personnel and equipment within the shelter. Texas Research Institute Austin Inc. (TRI/Austin) proposes a novel composite armor paneling system that can afford this protection by dissipating the energy of the blast while subsequently preventing penetration of fragmented projectiles. The high strength panels will have an areal density < 3.0lbs/ft2 and cost less than $25/ft2. During Phase I, TRI/Austin will be working with a leader in ballistics testing and armor mechanics design and predictive modeling, as well as with a manufacturer of blast resistant materials. Ballistics testing will be performed using varying sizes of right circular cylinders (RCCs) at defined velocities to simulate mortar fragmentation. Environmental tests will be conducted that include water absorption, ultraviolet radiation resistance, and temperature effects to ensure that the armor panels will maintain their effectiveness under harsh field conditions. Flexural strength testing will insure that the panels can withstand a blast event, and fire resistance testing will verify the self-extinguishing properties of the composite. The novel combination of ballistic-protection materials will result in a lightweight, easily-installed, ruggedized armor panel for military integration.