A novel adaptive armor system includes an array of armor elements, a hinge system, an actuator mechanism, and a tension support. The hinge system permits rotation of the armor elements about respective axes to change their orientation with respect to the vehicle body. The tension support is movably coupled between the actuator mechanism and the array and bears at least some of the weight of the armor elements in tension. The actuator mechanism moves the tension support (e.g., under the control of a controller) to change the angular orientation of at least some armor elements. Each armor element can include a tray that removably receives different ERA cassettes therein. An exemplary method includes detecting an incoming threat projectile, assessing at least one characteristic specific to the projectile, and changing the angular orientation of the array in a manner to defeat the incoming projectile. The invention provides threat adaptability while minimizing added weight and vehicle size.

The invention relates to an armor plate (10) with a thickness of at least 2 mm and an edge length of at least 20 mm, wherein the armor plate (10) consists of a material that contains tungsten heavy metal or tungsten carbide as the essential component. The invention furthermore relates to an armor with a carrier (12), several such armor plates (10) and a permanently elastic adhesive layer (14), by means of which the armor plates (10) are connected to the carrier (12).

The invention relates to a three-layer wear-resistant steel or ballistic steel. The invention further relates to a process for producing a component from the wear-resistant steel or ballistic steel and also a corresponding use.

A retractable barrier system and method for using the same is described herein. The retractable barrier system can include a retractable barrier made of one or more panels made of bullet resistant material and configured to fit across a doorway of a room. The panels can include one or more docking stations for housing a body armor unit. During a crisis event, the retractable barrier can be extending and secured across a doorway and multiple users can retrieve and don a body armor unit.

Armor plate having a thickness of at least 3 mm and an edge length of at least 20 mm, wherein the armor plate (10) consists of a material made largely of a component selected from the group hard metal, cermet and/or combinations thereof. An armor plate composite comprising at least two layers of armor plates and an armor are provided as well.

Disclosed herein is a method of forming a multi-layered metallic part. The method comprises forming a plurality of ductile layers made of a metallic material having a first ductility. The method also comprises forming at least one high-strength powder layer made of a powdered metallic material having a second ductility higher than the first ductility. The method further comprises assembling the plurality of ductile layers and the at least one high-strength powder layer in an alternating and stacked formation to form a multi-layered metallic assembly. The method additionally comprises oscillating a crystallographic phase of the powdered metallic material of the at least one high-strength powder layer between a first crystallographic phase and a second crystallographic phase.

Armor plate having a thickness of at least 3 mm and an edge length of at least 20 mm, wherein the armor plate consists of a material made largely of a component selected from the group hard metal, cermet and/or combinations thereof. An armor plate composite comprising at least two layers of armor plates and an armor are provided as well.

An armor assembly for mounting to a vehicle to protect it from an expected explosion. The assembly comprises at least two layers, each contacting an adjacent layer. One of said layers is a perforated layer and another one is a covering layer. The perforated layer is made of a material of a first density, and having a first surface configured to face towards the vehicle when the armor assembly is mounted thereto, and a second surface opposite thereto. The perforated layer is formed with holes each having an opening at least at said second surface. The covering layer is made of a material of a second density which is greater than the first density and is configured to be permanently bent by said explosion into the openings, at opening covering portions of the covering layer, to such a depth as to restrict sliding movement at least between the two layers.

The disclosure relates to an aluminum alloy plate having a final thickness of 3 inch or more, and a method for manufacturing same. In the method, an aluminum alloy with a chemical composition of in weight percent: Mg 4.0 to 5.2, Mn 0.4 to 1.0, Zn?0.3, Zr?0.3, Cr?0.3, Ti?0.3, Fe<0.50, Si<0.45, Cu<0.25, other elements and unavoidable impurities each <0.05 total <0.20 balance aluminum, is cast, preheated and/or homogenized, hot rolled, cold rolled with a cold rolling reduction of 3 to 10%, and stretched directly after cold rolling with a permanent elongation of 0.7 to 5% in the direction of stretching.

A system and method for solid state metal plate repair is provided. A solid state metal plate repair system may comprise a drill, a cutter and a plug. The plug may be configured to fill a void created by the cutter. The plug may also be configured to create a metallurgical bond with the metal plate during a repair operation. The plug may also be configured to shear from the drill (e.g., drive motor) when an expected rise in torque indicates a sufficient bond has been achieved in the repair. The systems and methods described herein may be used on specialty alloys wherein other repair methods are undesirable.