Kinetic Resolve, Inc. (KR; Stillwater, MN), a service disabled veteran-owned small business, and The Protective Group (TPG; Miami Lakes, FL), a developer of lightweight armor solutions for the Department of Defense, have agreed to work together by forming Kinetic Protection (KP), a limited partnership, to rapidly develop and integrate a system of lightweight, reconfigurable and non-reconfigurable advanced ballistic shields for crew served weapons stations (CSWS) for Navy vessels including CVN 68 class ships. A unique composite materials system will allow this team to develop a solution that meets or exceeds the required ballistic protection while being able to withstand the uniquely harsh environment present on seaborne vessels (e.g., wave slap). This composite materials system, being metallic in nature, simplifies the design of a reconfigurable system which KP has identified as a key element of this effort. The Phase I effort will include an engineering analysis and design of several potential configurations, which ultimately will be down-selected to include both a reconfigurable and non-reconfigurable design. The Phase I Option will optimize and demonstrate ballistic performance of the unique composite armor system, leading to the fabrication and delivery of a functional prototype as part of a Phase II award.
Benefit: The benefits associated with this effort and the resultant solution can be applied to a variety of vessels with similar needs within the U.S. Navy, DHS (USCG as an example), and other maritime security activities such as port security. Further - the development of this solution could also drive innovation in engineering and ballistic defeat that could transition to commercial applications relating both maritime and land-based anti-terrorism and force protection needs.
Keywords: Gunner Shield, Gunner Shield, Composite, Ballistic Protection, reconfigurable, CSWS, armor,, Lightweight , Crew Served Weapons Station
