Development of a New Technology to Manufacture an Additional Ballistic Protection Panels (Add on) for an Armored Personnel Carrier

This work deals with the development of a STANAG 4569 level III PLUS (12.7 × 99 mm AP M2) ballistic protection of ceramic panels (add on) for a Brazilian armored personnel carrier. The research started with the study of the physical characteristics of different hexagonal ceramic chips and their best assembly on the plate. After the selection of the best ceramic chip the final configuration of the ballistic panel was completed following the procedures according to NATO STANAG AEP-55—volume 1 [1]. The ballistic test panels were produced by “ALLTEC Indústria de Componentes em Materiais Compostos”, in Brazil and the ballistic tests were carried out by the “Centro de Avaliação do Exército (CAEx)”, the Brazilian Army Proving Ground, in Rio de Janeiro. After many ballistic tests led by the CAEx technical staff, finally an assembled panel was produced by ALLTEC with the choice of ceramic chip configuration, as well as a special bonding material and the backing support in aramid fiber fabric. The best results achieved led the researchers to produce a prototype panel that was approved after exhaustive tests carried out by CAEx to consolidate the results and to approve the final product. The homologation and validation of the entire additional ballistic protection panel (ADD ON) was homologated by the Brazilian Army to be applied on its personnel armored carrier.