Vector Strategy has published a new report that quantifies armor material requirements for U.S. military ground vehicles. The report provides clients with an outlook for steel, aluminum, titanium, ceramic, ballistic fibers and composites, and transparent armor materials. The report covers a time horizon of 2005 to 2020 and provides data in pounds (weight), square feet, and dollars of market value. The report also discusses trends in armor design, vehicle protection levels, and armor material market prices.

Conclusions from the report include:

• 2011 armor material requirements represent roughly 30% of 2008’s peak armor material requirements.
• Armor material prices have declined substantially from 2008, with great variability in that price decline from material to material.
• After a funding retrenchment in 2012-13, demand for armor materials will gradually recover through 2020 as modernization programs for existing vehicle programs and new vehicle platforms reach Milestone C and full rate production.
• Over the time horizon of the report, a trend of increasing vehicle protection levels from kinetic energy threats is evident.
• A shift in vehicle armor applications from add-on armor to integrated armor is evident over time. This shift applies to both protection from kinetic energy threats and IED/mine protection.
• Light tactical vehicles are the major contributor to armor material requirements in 2015 to 2020.
• By 2020, ceramic material is deployed within armor solutions for a broader range of vehicle platforms and for a broader range of Stanag protection levels.
• Transparent armor requirements for field replacements decline substantially as troops and equipment are withdrawn from theater.

For more information, visit www.vector-strategy.com.