New Atlas

Military Audio available

Modular system stops anti-tank rockets

David Szondy March 4, 2019

In a recent US Army live fire exercise, an automatic countermeasure system successfully deflected 15 out of 15 anti-tank guided missile attacks. The Lockheed Martin Modular Active Protection Systems detected incoming missiles and deflected them off target by jamming their guidance signals.

MAPS is a collection of sensors and "soft" countermeasures that detect missiles and and then deflect ...

Materials

Lobster-tail membrane could inspire better flexible body armor

Ben Coxworth February 20, 2019

When you think of lobsters and armor, the obvious connection would be their hard shells. An international team of scientists, however, is more interested in the flexible membrane on the underside of the crustaceans' tails. It has a unique structure, which could find uses in human technology.

A pair of lobster tails, with the translucent membrane visible on the underside of the one ...

Military Audio available

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