Skyfall your vehicle: Polaris reveals cutting-edge tactical tech
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Want to upgrade your vehicle to James Bond standards? Polaris Defense has introduced an advanced armor exo-skeleton and never-flat tires to transform vehicles.
Designed to address the U.S. military’s need for vehicles that can better protect warfighters, the cutting-edge armor and tires were revealed at AUSA 2012, the annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army.
Polaris Defense says the exo-skeleton can reduce vehicle curb weight by a whopping 40 percent while retaining or even increasing protection and maneuverability. And cost-effective, robust armor and never-flat tires won’t just boost survivability, they could prolong the life of the U.S. military’s extensive fleet of wheeled vehicles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The next armored car
Polaris Defense partnered with M9 Defense to develop this lightweight armor technology for the U.S. military.
The armor is built through advanced “hydroforming” -- a manufacturing technique often found in auto manufacturing in which high-pressure fluid is used to shape parts. It makes lighter, seamless structures possible. In this case, it means the steel-hybrid armor is flexible and can create complex shapes at a high speed, similar to sheet metal processing.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Produced with a proprietary, bullet-resistant formulation, the company says it’s lighter than any armor available in today’s market -- just 14 pounds per square foot.
Polaris Defense’s capsule body protection is “STANAG level 3” -- meaning it offers a high level of protection against kinetic energy, artillery and grenades, and mine-blast threats.
The reduced seam structure design minimizes ballistic leakage while improving structural integrity.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The company believes this new tech is an important improvement on the “Iron Triangle” -- a term armor designers use to describe the relationship among protection, payload and the mobility of armor protected vehicles.
TNT, meet NFT: Never-flat tires
Polaris Defense recently acquired Resilient Technologies and its non-pneumatic, never-flat tire tech. These airless tires could improve survivability and handling for both currently fielded and future vehicles.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The tires have a central web made of polymer surrounded by a rubber tread band. Even if up to 30 percent of the tire’s web is damaged, this design means operation continues.
To test it out, Polaris shot their tire with a .50 caliber bullet: It still travelled more than 5,000 miles.
Vehicles amped up with armor exo-skeletons and next-gen tires? That could give U.S. troops a real advantage.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ballet dancer turned defense specialist Allison Barrie has traveled around the world covering the military, terrorism, weapons advancements and life on the front line. You can reach her at mailto:wargames@foxnews.comor follow her on Twitter @Allison_Barrie.