On-site Facility
Our on-site independently audited UKAS accredited Ballistics Centre of Excellence keeps us at the forefront of armour technology. This extensive test facility includes a range of equipment enabling in depth on-site research and development for composite armour and commercial products, as well as ongoing verification of production accuracy.
The extensive test facility includes a range of equipment enabling cutting edge composite armour Research and Development as well as validation and ongoing verification of production performance. With a combination of volume manufacturing, in-house product development and extensive test facilities, NP Aerospace is able to respond quickly to customer requirements, with a high level of confidence
Our capabilities include:
Two Onsite Live Firing Ballistic Ranges
- 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)
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)
