Alcoa to lighten combat vehicles
Alcoa has received a five-year contract from the US Army for research and development (R&D) projects involving the development of lightweight solutions for ground combat vehicles, it announced on 3 March.
Alcoa Defense received the ‘Ground Vehicle Light-Weighting’ contract from the army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to accelerate technology R&D and provide engineering solutions for military intelligent ground systems and ground vehicles.
The first work directive will see Alcoa advance its aluminium weld wire alloys - designed to increase the strength of welded joints while reducing corrosion of those welded joints on combat vehicles. Potential future work involves providing material research, development, testing, engineering and evaluation efforts related to ground vehicle light-weighting.
These R&D efforts will address various technologies associated with light-weighting such as aluminium forming technology, modelling and simulation, fastening and joining, armour development, material fabrication, material development, coating and corrosion technology and energy conservation.
Eric Roegner, president, Alcoa Defense, said: 'This agreement with TARDEC builds on Alcoa Defense’s decades-long partnership with the US Army to advance military ground vehicles. Alcoa’s lightweight solutions have improved troop protection while reducing vehicle weight and assembly time. We look forward to building on our successful track record to help develop the next generation combat vehicle.'
More from Land Warfare
-
![Sweden seeks US HIMARS missile system to expand long-range strike capability]()
Sweden seeks US HIMARS missile system to expand long-range strike capability
The proposed $920 million deal would provide Sweden with a step up from its existing tube artillery and align the country with other northern European nations that have selected the HIMARS platform.
-
![Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers]()
Thales Storm 2 counter-drone system being evaluated by potential customers
The attack drone threat from first-person view uncrewed aerial systems has been highlighted by recent conflicts and Thales has adapted its Storm 2 counter-improvised explosive device jammer to provide protection.
-
![UAE’s first combat use of M-SAM II could raise export prospects for South Korean air defence]()
UAE’s first combat use of M-SAM II could raise export prospects for South Korean air defence
Reported to provide a high percentage of precision in its engagements, the South Korean air defence system has been receiving growing international interest since it was deployed by the UAE to defeat Iranian missiles.
-
![Australia’s DroneShield looks to Europe in a drive to massively increase production]()
Australia’s DroneShield looks to Europe in a drive to massively increase production
DroneShield has experienced significant growth in a short period of time, more than doubling its personnel to 500 people in the space of 18 months on the back of both military and civil demand.
-
![UN “not fulfilling core tasks” for Ukraine, says Estonian defence secretary]()
UN “not fulfilling core tasks” for Ukraine, says Estonian defence secretary
Estonia is looking for innovative ways to deal with its particular challenges but, according to the MoD’s permanent secretary, Kaimo Kuusk, technology still needs to be backed up by old-fashioned long-range punch.
