New Atlas

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BAE Systems to develop new US Army armored vehicle for light infantry

David Szondy December 19, 2018

BAE Systems and General Dynamics have been tapped by the US Army to each build 12 prototype medium-armor vehicles. Part of the development phase of the Mobile Protected Firepower program, the US$376-million contracts aim to develop an agile, multi-terrain platform for Infantry Brigade Combat Teams.

The US Army has awarded contracts to develop a prototype armored vehicle for light infantry units

Materials

Graphene-based armor could stop bullets by becoming harder than diamonds

Ben Coxworth December 19, 2017

While bullet-proof body armor does tend to be thick and heavy, that may no longer be the case if research being conducted at The City University of New York bears fruit. Scientists there have determined that two layers of stacked graphene can harden to a diamond-like consistency upon impact.

Made of two stacked layers of graphene, diamene temporarily becomes harder than bulk diamonds under impact

Science

Conch-inspired material may find use protecting humans

Ben Coxworth May 29, 2017

Although sea shells of various types have been studied as sources of inspiration for impact-resistant manmade materials, the conch shell is known for being particularly tough. And while the reason was already understood, it hadn't been replicated using engineered materials – until now, that is.

Conch shells may be pretty, but they're also tough

Materials

US Air Force Academy cadet turns goo into bullet-stopping armor

David Szondy May 19, 2017

A US Air Force Academy cadet turned a classroom exercise into a new ballistic armor made out of goo. Cadet 1st Class Hayley Weir's assignment to combine epoxy, Kevlar and carbon fiber into an anti-ballistic substance inspired her to develop a new flexible bullet stopper.

Air Force Academy Cadet 1st Class Hayley Weir created a goo-like substance that can stop bullets

Military

US Marine Corps receives first Amphibious Combat Vehicle I.I prototype

David Szondy December 13, 2016

BAE Systems has unveiled the first of 16 Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) 1.1 prototypes it is developing for the US Marine Corps. The vehicle is a fully amphibious, ship-launchable and ship-recoverable 8x8 wheeled armored troop carrier.

BAE Systems was awarded a US Marine Corps contract for the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development phase ...

Military

BAE Systems takes a cue from ironclad beetle to build self-repairing military suspensions

David Szondy November 21, 2016

Seeking ways to make military vehicles less vulnerable to blast damage, BAE Systems is looking to emulate one of the toughest insects in nature to develop a new bendable titanium alloy suspension system that snaps back into shape.

The incredibly tough exoskeleton of the ironclad beetle allows it to walk away after being stepped ...

Military

BAE shows off Next-Generation Bradley Fighting Vehicle prototype

David Szondy October 4, 2016

BAE Systems has unveiled the possible successor to the US Army's veteran Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The Next Generation Bradley concept vehicle is designed to demonstrate an improvement in the Bradley's capabilities while keeping down costs.

The new concept vehicle borrows technology from other systems to keep down costs

Military

One-way shields give riot police the edge

David Szondy June 30, 2016

To provide riot police with a psychological advantage, Nottingham Trent University has come up with a new riot shield that allows the police to see the rioters clearly, but not vice versa.

Riot police with conventional two-way shields, in Vancouver

Materials

Material that thickens when stretched may lead to better body armor

Michael Franco May 3, 2016

Chemists at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) have just engineered a substance that thickens when stretched. It could lead to better bullet-proof materials or improved running shoes.

Military

DARPA awards Ground X-Vehicle Technology contracts as it swaps agility for armor

David Szondy April 26, 2016

The days of tanks as giant steel behemoths may be numbered as DARPA awards eight development contracts for its Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) program.

Artist's concept of the GVT-X concept vehicles