NP Aerospace backs $3.2m Canadian universities' armour development programme
NP Aerospace is confirmed as one of the main industry partners leading the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance Programme to research and develop new Canadian-made ceramic add-on vehicle armour.
Above:
Engineered using a unique combination of advanced ceramic and structural composite materials, combat proven CAMAC armour is extensively tested at NP Aerospace’s Ballistics Centre of Excellence to deliver outstanding multi-hit performance at up to 50% less weight than equivalent steel products for land, sea and air platforms, at differing levels of threat.
Courtesy NP Aerospace
The five-year, $3.2 million programme involves three Canadian universities (University of Alberta, University of British Columbia and York University), a federal government science and technology organisation (Defence Research and Development Canada), NP Aerospace, a Canadian owned armour manufacturer and General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada.
The NSERC programme introduces new modelling and simulation technologies to the development and testing of medium calibre APFSDS armour which will reduce the time required to develop and field future armoured vehicles. The programme will provide empirical data to underpin future developments and will increase sustainability by replacing a proportion of live testing with simulated testing.
NP Aerospace is providing engineering expertise and resources for the programme.
James Kempston, CEO, NP Aerospace, commented: “As an armour manufacturer our number one priority is to introduce products that provide the highest level of protection responding to the latest threats in the fastest time possible. Our add-on armour is used globally across numerous platforms. Working closely with Universities and industry partners, we are able to drive research into materials used in extreme environments and introduce new Canadian made technologies.”
Dr James Hogan, University of Alberta, who is leading the programme from an academic perspective, said: “Armour modelling and simulation has numerous advantages. It allows us to correlate live ballistic impact with simulated testing and to make more informed design decisions using extensive trend-based data.We are excited to be at the forefront of this global programme.”