Devising protective solutions for armored vehicles, body armor, watercraft or amphibious vehicles is the core business of Leading Technology Composites (LTC) of Wichita, Kan., a 20-year veteran in armored products manufacturing. With the help of DSM Dyneema, Stanley, N.C., and its ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fiber, Dyneema® and Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology materials, LTC has “been able to achieve unprecedented levels of performance at significantly lower areal densities,” says Todd Lair, LTC president. LTC’s new advanced XPS2 processing system and Dyneema’s fiber and materials give the new armor a weight savings of 25-45 percent on vehicles and 10-20 percent on body armor inserts—with the same ballistic protection.

“[We] can save our customers literally hundreds of pounds over legacy armor systems,” says Rick Scheer, LTC senior vice president. “Likewise, we’ve realized major improvements in performance, weight and backface deformation for a number of personal protection ballistic insert designs.” The materials are central to success, as are LTC’s innovative mounting systems and patented edge protection that ensure that lightweight ballistic protection products can stand up to the rigors of daily use and abuse. LTC also has developed fully buoyant and patented armor systems not previously available for use in watercraft.