
28 May 2014
LEADING TECHNOLOGY COMPOSITES INTRODUCES THE INDUSTRY’S LIGHTEST WEIGHT BALLISTIC ARMOR SYSTEMS
Stanley, N.C. - May. 28, 2014 - As a composite armor industry veteran, Leading Technology Composites (LTC) is no stranger to light weight ballistic armor solutions. It comes as no surprise that their latest innovations have yielded the industry’s lightest, most robust, armor systems, providing state-of-the-art performance at a significant weight reduction. Todd Lair, LTC President, commented, “By applying our XPS2 system of advanced processing to Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology materials from DSM Dyneema we’ve been able to achieve unprecedented levels of performance at significantly lower areal densities. The XPS2 process requires that a tightly controlled set of processing parameters be maintained during the consolidation processes. After consolidation, secondary hot and cold processing further improves the ballistic performance with the final result yielding a tremendous leap forward in performance. In our initial integrations of these systems on vehicle platforms we’ve provided our customers with substantial weight savings on the order of 25-45% lighter than legacy systems. Likewise, similar results of 10-20% weight savings have been realized on our personal protection products such as body armor inserts.”
These groundbreaking systems are manufactured using Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology. This innovative technology delivers products with a unique combination of exceptional ballistic performance and the lightest weight and lowest profile of any ballistic material currently on the market.
“We are proud that LTC selected our new Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology platform to create their latest range of industry leading innovative products.” said Shitij Chabba, global segment director, life protection, DSM Dyneema. “Our radical innovation platform, Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology is enabling manufacturers to create innovative next-generation designs, increase protection without adding weight, and optimize usability.”
Rick Scheer, LTC Sr. Vice President, explained, “we’ve taken the newest and most advanced UHMWPE raw materials and applied our extensive manufacturing expertise to develop this leap forward in performance. This, combined with our innovative integration designs for vehicle platforms, can save our customers literally hundreds of pounds over legacy armor systems. Likewise, we’ve realized major improvements in performance, weight and backface deformation for a number of personal protection ballistic insert designs.”
In addition to significant reductions in weight, LTC offers the most robust and end-user friendly solutions in the industry. Mr. Scheer further explained, “There’s no advantage to having the lightest protection available if the end product is not able to withstand the rigors of daily use and abuse. Years of experience have allowed us to develop a thorough understanding of what it takes for an armor system to survive in a number of different environments. This knowledge has allowed us to develop innovative mounting systems and patented edge protection that keeps weight to a minimum while ensuring that the installed armor exceeds our customer’s expectations”. LTC has also developed fully buoyant and patented armor systems providing design options not previously available watercraft or amphibious vehicles.
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Notes for editors
About LTC
Leading Technology Composites was founded in 1993 and has evolved as the armor industry’s leading developer of composite armor solutions for diverse and complex applications. 2013 marked its 20th year in business, representing two decades of excellence in armor system development, validation and manufacturing. Located in Wichita, Kansas, LTC is ISO 9001C / AS9100 certified and has enjoyed diverse, robust growth over its history and proudly boasts a workforce over 300 skilled technicians and state of the art facilities of 155,000 square feet.
About DSM Dyneema
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Ultra High Molecular Weight PolyEthylene (UHMWPE) fiber branded as Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. Dyneema® offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® fiber floats on water and is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. The applications are therefore more or less unlimited. Dyneema® is an important component in ropes, cables and nets in the fishing, shipping and offshore industries. Dyneema® is also used in safety gloves for the metalworking industry and in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods and the medical sector. In addition, Dyneema® is also used in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel.
UHMWPE fiber from DSM Dyneema is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands) and in Greenville, North Carolina (U.S.A.). DSM Dyneema is also a partner in a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) manufacturing joint venture in Japan. Further information on DSM Dyneema is available at www.dyneema.com.
DSM - Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM’s 23,500 employees deliver annual net sales of about €9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.
Dyneema® and Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™ are trademarks of DSM. Use of these trademarks is prohibited unless strictly authorized.
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