12 Jun 2006
AS THREATS INCREASE, PROTECTIVE INSERTS MADE WITH DYNEEMA® HELP KEEP BRITISH SOLDIERS SAFER
Urmond (NL), June 12, 2006 - To provide its soldiers with a higher level of protection, the UK Ministry of Defence is incorporating super-strong, lightweight Dyneema® unidirectional sheet material (UD) from DSM into the new inserts for the new Osprey body armor. Until now, it has been difficult to balance the need for higher protection with light weight needed by soldiers for optimal agility and speed in combat. Advances in weapons and ammunition, which pose new threats to soldiers, have increased the challenge facing the military services. However, Dyneema® High Performance Polyethylene (HPPE) makes it possible to raise the effectiveness of personal protection for troops at the lowest possible weight.
According to Roger Medwell, chief executive of NP Aerospace, the current supplier of the Osprey inserts, “Dyneema® was selected as part of our solution for the Osprey project because of the material’s ballistic performance at low weight, its consistent quality and security of supply.”
By using Dyneema® UD, which combines exceptional strength with very low weight, as the backing material for the ceramic insert, designers add significant protection with minimal additional weight. The Dyneema® UD backing not only increases the vest’s resistance to ballistic impact, but also helps protect the wearer against wounds in the event the ceramic shatters. Dyneema® UD is already being used extensively in the United States as the backing material in SAPI and E-SAPI (Enhanced - Small Arms Protective Inserts).
“The Osprey project demonstrates that, in addition to its proven use elsewhere, Dyneema® products successfully contribute to a lightweight protection system for British soldiers as well,” said Adri van der Waals, Marketing Manager Personal Protection for DSM Dyneema.
Reader enquiries
Dyneema
Urmonderbaan 22
6167 RD Geleen
Netherlands
Notes for editors
About DSM Dyneema
DSM Dyneema is the inventor and manufacturer of Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiberTM. Dyneema® is a superstrong polyethylene fiber that offers maximum strength combined with minimum weight. It is up to 15 times stronger than quality steel and up to 40% stronger than aramid fibers, both on weight for weight basis. Dyneema® floats on water and is extremely durable and resistant to moisture, UV light and chemicals. The applications are therefore more or less unlimited. Dyneema® is an important component in ropes, cables and nets in the fishing, shipping and offshore industries. Dyneema® is also used in safety gloves for the metalworking industry and in fine yarns for applications in sporting goods and the medical sector. In addition, Dyneema® is also used in bullet resistant armor and clothing for police and military personnel.
Dyneema® is produced in Heerlen (The Netherlands) and in Greenville, North Carolina (U.S.A.). DSM Dyneema is also partner in a high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) manufacturing joint venture in Japan. Further information on DSM Dyneema is available at www.dyneema.com.
About DSM
DSM is active worldwide in nutritional and pharma ingredients, performance materials and industrial chemicals. The company creates innovative products and services that help improve the quality of life. DSM's products are used in a wide range of end markets and applications such as human and animal nutrition and health, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, automotive and transport, coatings, housing and electrics & electronics (E&E). DSM's strategy, named Vision 2010 - Building on Strengths, focuses on accelerating profitable and innovative growth of the company's specialties portfolio. Market-driven growth, innovation and increased presence in emerging economies are key drivers of this strategy. The group has annual sales of over EUR 8 billion and employs some 22,000 people worldwide. DSM ranks among the global leaders in many of its fields. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Dyneema® is a registered trademark of Royal DSM N.V.
Editorial enquiries
Nathali Donatz
Dyneema
Anouk Luykx
EMG
Also available in