JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #94 - January/February 2015 - 18

defence

Armoured composite crew
compartments
Morgan Advanced Materials has developed
an innovative, customized composite and
ceramic armoured compartment that is
ballistic-resistant and provides a significant
weight saving compared to other similar
steel structures while maintaining a stellar
performance level.
Fig. 1: Tata Motors' Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicle (LAMV)

T

hanks to Morgan
Advanced Materials'
expertise and materials,
an armoured composite crew
compartment was developed for Tata Motors' Light
Armoured Multipurpose
Vehicle (LAMV) programme,
along the Indian Ministry
of Defence guidelines.
According to Morgan, these
compartments can be used for
reconnaissance and tactical
vehicles as well as special
forces vehicles.

Weight saving and
specific requirements
Developed over the past 20
years, Morgan's bespoke
composite and ceramic "pod"
technology was incorporated
in the crew protection needed by the LAMV. The pod
creates a detachable, blastand ballistic-resistant crew

compartment, which could
easily be integrated onto the
Tata-produced chassis. This
device can be modified to
provide higher levels of protection when required.
The weight saving is clearly
non-negligible since it provides a solid 1000kg reduction, which corresponds to
half the weight of typical steel
protected structures.
On the LAMV, the all-composite detachable crew pod
and V-shaped hull is based on
a 4x4 chassis. The monocoque
composite pod mounted on a
high-hardness steel bottom Vhull provides a high degree of
blast protection, which is the
main concern. The crew capsule is built using composite
and ceramic armour systems
to offer all-around protection
in high-threat environments.

armoured systems for military
vehicles. It makes innovative
products using composite
materials and specialised manufacturing techniques. The
business has been providing
armour for a broad range of
vehicles used in military operations, including the Mastiff,
Ridgeback and Wolfhound
fleets, for more than 8 years.
Morgan seemed like the perfect choice for Tata Motors to
develop their LAMV project.
Vernon Noronha, Vice
President - Defence &
Government Business, Tata
Motors said that Tata Motors
acknowledges the support of
two UK companies - Morgan
Advanced Materials Composites and Defence Systems
and Supacat and they are
proud to have been able to

Partnership and launch
The Composites and Defence
Systems business of Morgan
Advanced Materials designs

Fig. 2: The LAMV at Defexpo, New
Delhi

18 jec composites magazine / No94 January - February 2015

indigenously develop the
LAMV, for vital reconnaissance mobility, protection
and firepower for the Indian
armed forces. So far, he
added, the response to the
Tata LAMV at the Defexpo
has been very encouraging.
Morgan is a world-leading
designer of armoured systems
for military vehicles, with
unrivalled experience in both
ceramics and composites,
enabling it to deliver crew
protection with optimum
performance at the lowest
possible weight. The company's success with the Indian
Ministry of Defence's LAMV
programme is just the latest
example of how it can develop
armour systems as part of
a strategic relationship that
opens up opportunities for
both companies.
The thus-created LAMV was
first successfully unveiled at
Defexpo, in New Delhi, in
February 2014. n
More information:
www.www.morganadvancedmaterials.com/products/composites-defence-systems
http://www.morganadvancedmaterials.com/products/composites-defence-systems
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #94 - January/February 2015

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