Lightweight Ballistic Armor for Military Aircraft Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2005.1 Topic No.: N05-023 Topic Title: Lightweight Ballistic Armor for Military Aircraft Proposal No.: N051-023-0997 Firm: American Technical Coatings, Inc 19915 Lake Road Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Contact: Charles Inglefield Phone: (440) 333-1545 Abstract: American Technical Coatings, Inc. (ATC) is in a unique position to assist the Navy in developing a new material for lightweight ballistic armor for military aircraft based on the following: (1)ATC has developed a unique, patented technology called Hotblox that is lighter weight than current ceramic armor materials including: silicon carbide, alumina, and boron carbide; (2)Hotblox can be easily injection or compression molded into complex shapes using ordinary thermoplastic molding equipment. The ease of manufacturing will reduce production cycles and reduce overall costs of armor parts; (3)The strength of green Hotblox may make it possible to use Hotblox in the green state, eliminating costly steps of firing and machining the ceramic pieces; (4)Hotblox has already displayed good potential as an armor material in the green state; (5) The Hotblox technology is compatible with a variety of ceramics. Using this technology, it is possible to mold layers of different ceramics into one piece in one molding step; (6)ATC has a working relationship with major defense contractors. These companies are familiar with Hotblox and support the develpment of the Hotblox technology for many applications in aerospace and defense. Benefits: The potential markets for Hotblox parts are diverse and substantial. Many industries including: aerospace, defense, automotive, aviation and foundry have acute needs for strong, lightweight, durable materials that can withstand high temperatures. Many advanced ceramics and composites have the desired physical properties but are simply cost prohibitive. However, since the Hotblox technology enables the low cost molding of complex shapes out of advanced ceramics and composites, many applications that were previously cost prohibitive can now utilize these advanced materials. The result is lighter, more fuel efficient automobiles and aircraft. The list of potential applications is very extensive. Examples of potential applications are listed below:  Aerospace & Defense: radomes, aerosurfaces, armor, engine components, rocket motor components, jet vanes, nozzles, inlets, thermal protection systems, etc.  Automotive: exhaust manifolds, valves, thermal shields, engine components, etc.  Aviation: aircraft armor, engine parts, fireproof parts, thermal protection, etc.  Foundry: investment casting cores, rapid mold making, etc. Overall, Hotblox can offer a lightweight, low-cost ceramic replacement to heavy metal parts in these industries. Return