MDM 2011: Ceradyne unveils HMMWV Recap contender

Ceradyne revealed its contender for the proposed HMMWV Recap programme at Modern Day Marine on 27 October. The prototype vehicle was developed jointly by Ceradyne Vehicle Armor Systems and Gravikor with a number of other technology partners.

Speaking to Shephard, Marc King, president of Ceradyne Armor Systems, said, 'the concept is particularly adapted to the marines, although we think it will also suit the US Army. It will help the USMC get them back on ships. We know the marine corps is looking to get back to being expeditionary and amphibious.'

The prototype incorporates an advanced spaceframe design borrowed from the motor sports industry for a vehicle crew cab that the King says provides versatility to scale the armour application to the mission. In base form, the vehicle is fitted with canvas doors but can be upgraded to undisclosed full ballistic protection levels depending on the threat.

'What you have is a lightweight, very strong, very rigid solution,' King stated. The concept allows the armour to be scaled on the vehicle itself and also to develop as armour technology changes.

In addition to the visible armour elements, the solution incorporates a blast shield of advanced materials under the crew cab. The parabolic blast shield is made from unique blast absorbing materials developed by Cellular Materials International. All of this combines to give increased crew survivability, King added.

Finally, he described how Ceradyne had invested a lot of 'thinking time' in developing the prototype, with concept work beginning some 18 months ago. The prototype itself was built in 45 days.