JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #33 - June 2007 - 27

Composite armour for littoral combat ship Superior ballistic protection The US Navy’s first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) will have HJ1 composite armour made with S-2 Glass® roving from AGY. The USS Freedom will be the first US ship to carry the LCS class designation. The 115-metre LCS was designed by Lockheed Martin. The LCS seaframes are intended for littoral or coastal missions, focusing on highspeed manoeuvrability, agility and sprint speed. The USS Freedom is expected to be delivered to the Navy before the end of this year. The LCS ship is the second major naval programme for S-2 Glass and HJ1 armour. Landing Helicopter Deck (LHD) class vessels built by Northrop Grumman also use the HJ1 armour system. For both LCS and LHD class ships, protective armour must resist the sophisticated threats posed by today’s enhanced weaponry. In the past, getting more protection meant using more metal and incurring a serious weight penalty. Consequently, naval engineers turned to spall liners made with lightweight fibre composites. Deckhouse armour for LHD ships two through eight was manufactured using a prepreg and moulding technology licensed by AGY. The resin for the prepreg is a phenolic, chosen for its tendency to ablate instead of burn, allowing the armour to also act as an effective fire and flame barrier. The reinforcing fabric is woven from S-2 Norplex-Micarta recently launched ShotBlocker™, the only commercially available Class 1-A fire-rated projectileresistant building material. Far lighter than steel, ricochet-resistant, and easily installed using ordinary hand tools, this material is the ideal reinforcing substrate The only commercially available Class 1-A firerated projectile-resistant building material. Trends Glass roving, which has an exceptionally high energy-absorbing capability. This patented combination is termed the HJ1 Composite Armour System. In addition to its ability to stop projectiles, the system is known for excellent flame, smoke and toxicity performance. The HJ1 system has been used with great success in a number of military and commercial armor applications. Among the best known applications are the Humvee used by the US Army, and the CAV-100 composite armored vehicle used in peacekeeping missions throughout Europe. More information: www.agy.com for bullet-resistant architectural and building projects. The result of a state-of-the-art design and manufacturing process, this bulletresistant glass-fibre laminate can be used in structures where increased ballistic protection is desired. From government facilities to check-cashing stations, armoured vehicles, and commercial aircraft, it provides far greater security and protection in walls, doors, and counters than similar polyester-based ballistic laminates. ShotBlocker meets the requirements for courtroom, gas station, and convenience market armour, while complying with flame and smoke protection regulations. No33 June 2007 / JEC Composites Magazine More information: www.norplex-micarta.com ShotBlocker is readily machined and is far lighter than steel, making it easier to install and repair. It can be cut and drilled in the field with commercial quality circular, table, or panel saws. For aesthetic conformity, the material can be surfaced on site with veneer, drywall, wallpaper, or other wall coverings. ShotBlocker ballistic-resistant laminates have been tested in accordance with ASTM E84 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials by the Hardwood Plywood & Veneer Association (HPVA), Reston, VA, USA.
http://www.agy.com http://www.norplex-micarta.com
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #33 - June 2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #33 - June 2007
