- 23 July 2007 -
US Army's first all-composite vehicle

AN all-composite version of the popular US military vehicle the HMMWV (‘Humvee’) has been unveiled by US companies TPI Composites Inc and Armor Holdings Inc. The companies also announced that they have entered a long-term teaming agreement that will allow TPI’s process technology to be used on vehicles or components supplied by Armor Holdings.

TPI owns the patented Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Moulding Process (SCRIMP) technology, a vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (RTM) technique.

The composite HMMWV is reported to weigh around 900 lbs less than a current steel and aluminium model that is required to carry the same armour. This weight saving means the vehicle can carry additional armour and other equipment.

The prototype vehicle is part of the US Army’s All Composite Military Vehicle programme and will serve as a demonstration of how TPI can apply its composites technology to other military vehicles or vehicle components produced by Armor Holdings.

“The lightweight, all-composite HMMWV is a great example of how advanced composite material and process technology can be applied to leapfrog our current vehicle platforms,” says TPI president and CEO Steven C. Lockard.

TPI Composites Inc; www.tpicomposites.com
Armor Holdings; www.armorholdings.com

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