Honeywell's latest Spectra Shield ballistic material lightens Foxhound
The vehicles are currently being shipped for use in Afghanistan.
Honeywell said that the Spectra Shield materials are more than 50% lighter than traditional vehicle armor materials, making the vehicles easier to transport and maneuver.
“Honeywell’s state of the art materials play an integral role in the survivability of the Foxhound vehicles,” said Col. Nick Wills, assistant director equipment operations for the United Kingdom Army Headquarters. “Spectra Shield’s very low weight allows the Foxhound to be a very agile and survivable platform.”
The Foxhound with Honeywell’s Spectra Shield materials underwent more than 12 months of rigorous blast and mobility testing before being chosen by the MoD. The protective qualities of Spectra Shield help the Foxhound significantly improve protection of personnel against roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“Honeywell Spectra Shield lowers the overall vehicle weight of the Foxhound while improving the vehicle’s ability to withstand the increased threats seen in combat today,” said Tim Swinger, global business manager of Honeywell’s Advanced Fibers and Composites business. “The decrease in weight helps to decrease each vehicle’s maintenance and fuel costs, and can limit the number of re-supply trips through dangerous routes.”
Honeywell’s patented Spectra Shield products are manufactured by bonding parallel strands of fibre in place with an advanced resin system. In addition to Spectra fibre, Honeywell adapts this technology to other fibres.
Spectra fibre is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. The fibre exhibits high resistance to chemicals, water, and ultraviolet light. It has excellent vibration damping, flex fatigue and internal fiber-friction characteristics. It also has up to 60% greater specific strength than aramid fibre.
