N101-002 TITLE: Modular Lightweight Armor System

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: The Program Manager Advanced Amphibious Assault (PM AAA) ACAT-I

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Research, develop and build a lightweight modular armor package.

DESCRIPTION: The Marine Corps EFV is a 78,200 lb. armored and tracked troop carrier designed to operate over harsh off-road terrain and in oceans and rivers. The EFV design is limited due to competing requirements: 1) high water speed, 2) combat effectiveness and carrying capacity, and 3) survivability. The current armor system meets functional requirements, weight however is critical to an amphibious vehicle therefore a lighter solution (1 to 2 lb. per sqr. ft.) while maintaining or improving the current ballistic protection levels (14.5 mm AP @ 300 meters) is desired. The armor system should be applicable but not limited to the vehicle skirt. The selected armor system(s) must demonstrate the ability to function in extreme operating environments which include but are not limited to -25�F to +120�F, hot desert blowing sand, full salt water immersion and immersion in petroleum based liquids. The armor system must be able to be integrated into the existing EFV design.

PHASE I: The contractor shall conduct research into lightweight modular armor systems for use on the EFV, keeping in mind the environment in which those materials will be used. Based on their research, the contractor shall create a conceptual design including estimated weight, cost and performance characteristics.

PHASE II: The contractor shall manufacture a prototype armor panel(s) and conduct ballistic testing to validate their design meets EFV specified performance levels and characterize the performance. Due to the nature of this topic, the contractor must be ready to shift into a classified performance mode with cleared personnel and storage available.

PHASE III: The preferred transition is to contract with the prime vendor (General Dynamics Land Systems) to integrate the system onto the EFV. This technology is also directly applicable to large military vehicles such as the Army�s FCS.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Successful development and characterization of lightweight modular armor systems has direct application to a wide verity of protective requirements for uses in various military and commercial land and sea based vehicles. This technology is also applicable to the protection of structures.

REFERENCES:
1. EFV S/SS Specification Rev N. dated 23 June, 2008 (available upon request)

2. MIL-STD-810F Environmental Test Methods and Engineering Guidelines

3. MIL-STD-889B Dissimilar Metals

4. MIL-STD-662F V50 Ballistic Test For Armor

5. AR 70-75 Survivability of Army Personnel and Materials

6. STANAG 4569

KEYWORDS: Ballistic; Materials; Ballistic Protection; Lightweight; Armor; Survivability

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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