The Development and Evaluation of Modular Ballistic Panels for Fabric Shelters

Abstract : Modular ballistic panels, designed specifically for integration into fabric shelters, would provide a new force protection capability for our Warfighters. Today's fabric shelters do not possess organic ballistic protection. This Army program sought composite material systems that would meet fragmentation and blast protection requirements against mortar rounds, could be rapidly installed with a minimum number of Warfighters, and be affordable for Army shelter systems. This new shelter capability would provide an enhanced level of protection against specified threats while providing mobility and rapid deployment. Performance requirements were established based primarily on mitigation of fragmentation threats as well as overcoming any associated blast overpressure. Multiple panel designs were developed, and through empirical evaluation, one design was selected for a first generation prototype. Panels were fabricated and fully integrated as a prototype into a standard Army shelter while at the same time preliminary modeling efforts showed the panels provide excellent protection from our target mortar.