Lockheed Martin signs agreement with Ceradyne, for Tekshield advanced lightweight ceramic armor
Lockheed Martin has signed a nonexclusive licensing agreement with Ceradyne, Inc., for the development, manufacture and application of the Lockheed Martin-developed TekShield lightweight, opaque ceramic armor.
TekShield can protect Soldiers against coupled threat effects common in today’s urban tactical environments, such as a bomb blasts followed by a swarm of projectiles or armor-piercing sniper fire. The system’s unique ceramic design represents a new generation of protection that is affordable, lightweight and superior to legacy ceramic armor.
“TekShield has been tested against a variety of ballistic threats, from hand grenades to bomb blasts, and this level of vehicle protection has never been delivered in such a lightweight design,” said Reggie Grant, director for Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Combining Lockheed Martin’s systems integration experience with Ceradyne’s knowledge of ceramics will more quickly deliver lightweight, affordable ceramic vehicle armor to the Warfighters who need it most.”
“Lockheed Martin’s initial development of TekShield has opened a new path for applying ceramic armor to tactical vehicles,” said Marc King, president of Ceradyne Armor Systems. “TekShield combined with Ceradyne’s expertise in lightweight ceramic armor applications and designs will create a new class of lightweight armor to better support the expeditionary requirements of our tactical vehicle fleet.”
TekShield armor technology can easily scale to meet specific threats, from small caliber rifles and mid-range cannons to IEDs and other explosive devices. Unlike other armor products, TekShield can be developed for opaque, transparent and semi-reactive applications, depending on customer needs.
Source: Lockheed Martin
More from Land Warfare
-
![Billion-dollar Belgium deal for NASAMS creates multinational air defence system]()
Billion-dollar Belgium deal for NASAMS creates multinational air defence system
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) is in service on five continents with more than 100 platforms delivered. The system will now form part of Belgium’s Blue Dome air defence system alongside new orders for Skyranger air defence and Thales radar systems.
-
![Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth]()
Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth
Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
-
![Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?]()
Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
-
![A medium UGV market emerges as the US weighs up its options]()
A medium UGV market emerges as the US weighs up its options
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
-
![NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement]()
NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
