DFNDR Armor Selects Honeywell SPECTRA® MATERIAL FOR NEW Military and Law Enforcement BODY Armor
MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., July 27, 2016—Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that DFNDR Armor, a leading engineer of U.S.-made advanced body armor systems, is using Honeywell Spectra Shield® ballistic composite materials to create one of the lightest, most high-protection lines of body armor plates available today.
DFNDR Armor is also using Honeywell’s Spectra® fiber-based materials exclusively in all research and development of next-generation body armor technology for use by the U.S. military, law enforcement and civilians.
“Our research and development team is focused on creating state-of-the-art body armor. To that end, we exclusively use Honeywell Spectra because it allows us to meet our customer’s needs for protection, light weight and mobility,” said Dave Fernandez, CEO of DFNDR Armor. “There are increased levels of safety measures that are now being implemented to protect law enforcement officers and first responders, and our products feature breakthrough innovations that offer the best possible personal protection.”
As armed conflict escalates around the world, military and law enforcement are continually looking for body armor that provides full protection against high-energy threats such as rifles, while also being lightweight enough to reduce user fatigue compared with heavier plates made from steel or ceramic. The Spectra material used in the new armor is made with Advanced Dynamic Deflection technology, which redirects the energy of a projectile away from the body upon impact. When utilized in breast plates, Advanced Dynamic Deflection technology reduces the trauma on the body, allowing for faster recovery, improved mobility and increased survivability.
“Honeywell Spectra is consistently chosen by the most innovative companies in the U.S. armor industry for next-generation military and law enforcement use,” said Tim Swinger, business director for armor at Honeywell Packaging and Composites. “We are proud to collaborate with DFNDR Armor to provide the most advanced defense technology available.”\
Spectra fiber is made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. It has up to 60 percent greater strength than alternate aramid fiber and, pound for pound, it is 15 times stronger than steel but is light enough to float. Spectra fiber is used to create Spectra Shield, an advanced ballistic-resistant material. Spectra Shield technology is a patented Honeywell process designed to optimize the ballistic performance characteristics of Spectra as well as aramid fiber.
Spectra Shield and Gold Shield® products have been widely adopted and proven for the most advanced armor applications globally, from bullet-resistant vests, breast plates and helmets to combat vehicles and military aircraft—all which require lightweight solutions and superior performance.
Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic materials research program focused on continuous improvement and development of high-performance materials. For more information about Spectra fiber, visit www.honeywell-spectra.com.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes, and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.
