North Charleston company secures vehicle armor technology license

Protected Vehicles Inc., the North Charleston-based manufacturer of mine- and ballistic-protected vehicles, has secured an exclusive license for the use of the Battelle Co.’s composite armor material.

The new material, similar in many respects to the material being used at the Vought Aircraft Industries plant in North Charleston for the fuselages of the new Boeing 787, is described as lighter, more capable and more cost-effective than the armor currently being used by the U.S. military.

PVI and Battelle collaborated to create the PVI armor system, trademarked as “ShieldAll.”

Some 37% lighter than traditional steel armor, the material is capable of stopping multiple armor piercing projectiles exceeding 7.63 mm. When combined with Protected Vehicles’ armoring methodologies, the complete system is capable of stopping threats from 50-caliber, armor-piercing shells without the weight associated with conventional metal or ceramic armor, the companies said in a joint written statement.

In addition, the material is being considered for personal armor equipment that would afford soldiers in the field more mobility while allowing equal or better protection.