Ballistic Laboratory & Range

Mission Critical Protection: Tested to Extremes.

On-site Laboratory Facility

Our on-site independently audited ISO 17025 UKAS accredited testing Laboratory No. 4354 and Range enhances our capabilities and keeps us at the forefront of armour technology. Our extensive test facility and team of experts enables in depth research and development on-site for composite armour and commercial products, as well as validation and ongoing verification of production accuracy and performance.

History and Expertise

NP Aerospace’s ballistic range opened in 1989, employing a technical team with a combined 50 years of experience. Programmes we have worked on have included UK MOD Osprey plates, the Cougar fleet (Mastiff, Ridgback, Wolfhound, Buffalo, MAN truck), MK 6 Bomb Disposal Suit and DSTL projects. The team also carried out the testing for the Canadian Department of National Defence CM735 helmet and various vehicle OEM projects. More recently NP Aerospace has completed an extensive testing programme for body armour for Ukraine as well UK Police programmes. The company continues to focus on special classified projects and various external customer testing.

Testing Standards

We can meet a variety of testing standards, accredited or in accordance with:

National Institute of Justice standards – NIJ 0117.01 (EOD), NIJ 0106.01 Level 3A (helmets) NIJ 0108.01 Level III+ (shields), NIJ 0101.06 / NIJ 0101.04 Level 4+ Special Threats (plates)
AEP- 2920
STANAG 4569 Level 2 to level 4 – platform armour
MIL-STD-662
EN 1063 (ballistic glass), EN 1522 & EN 1523 (doors, windows, shutters)
UK CAST

Accreditations

With a combination of volume manufacturing, in-house product development and extensive test facilities, NP Aerospace can respond quickly to customer requirements, with the highest level of confidence. Our processes are also important which is why we secure additional accreditations such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.

Firing Range

We have two on-site Live Firing Ballistic Ranges able to meet various requirements:

Muzzle velocity maximum 1650 m/s
Muzzle energy maximum 41,000 Joules
Capability to fire up to 20mm fragment simulating projectile
Capability to fire up to 14.5mm calibre armour piercing rounds
100,000+ fps high speed camera for detailed analysis
Velocity measured to 2 decimal places, with measurement uncertainty to within 0.15%
Depth penetration 3.0mm to 60.0mm ± 1.0mm
Pitch and yaw angle deviation from projectile orientation 0° to 360° ± 1.0°
UKAS accredited testing includes AEP 2920 Ed A Ver 2, NIJ 0101.04, NIJ 0101.06 and NIJ 0106.01 (ballistic penetration)

Laboratory Equipment

We have a range of equipment for blunt impact testing and verification of structural rigidity:

High Pressure Helium Propelled Gas Gun

17 grain, 1.1gram fragment simulating projectile to a muzzle velocity of 1200 m/s+
16 grain sphere to muzzle velocity of 800 m/s+
Velocity measured to 2 decimal places, with measurement uncertainty to within 0.25%
UKAS Accredited testing includes AEP 2920 A Ver 2 and NIJ 0106.01 (ballistic penetration)

Non-Destructive Testing Capabilities

Programmable environmental humidity and temperature testing chambers with a capacity of 600L -42°C to 180°C, 10% to 98% relative humidity
Temperature changing rate cooling (K/min): 4.0 and temperature changing rate heating (K/min): 3.2
LK automated CMM inspection table with capability to measure 2 metres by 3 metres OGP optical gauging machine for visual inspection
X-Ray with NDT crack/defect detection and inclusion monitoring capability pre and post ballistic impact

Impact Rig

Impact rig with measurement uncertainty to less than 3% at 400G
Includes helmet drop rig and flexural testing
Stab rig facilities
Repetitive loading rig used for fatigue testing

Instron Material Analysis and Testing

Maximum load capacities of ±5 kN (±1.1 kip) and ±10 kN (±2.2 kip)

External Testing

With our in-house team expertise and experience of working with Government organisations we can offer confidential high level product testing services for your business and extensive test reports.

As we are UKAS accredited, we are independently audited and pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards of service. We also work with external national and international test houses to meet specific requirements.

Service Offering

Our team delivers a range of materials as part of our service: