Armored and military vehicles

Ride with Dyneema® for unrivaled protection on land, air and sea

All armored vehicles need robust protection against a wide range of ballistic threats – but mobility is equally important for mission success.

That’s why we harness the power of Dyneema® – a fiber that floats on water while being 15 times stronger than steel – to keep armored vehicles safe and agile in any terrain. Enabling greater protection and lower overall weight, Dyneema® unidirectional (UD) material helps chart the perfect course between light and might.

MADE FOR: Aircraft

Rigid inflatable boats (RIBs)

Land vehicles

Police vehicles

Civilian VIP vehicles

Special forces vehicles

Dyneema® enables STRENGTHplus+

Armored vehicles need maximum mobility to realize their offensive and defensive capabilities. The ultra-light properties of Dyneema® UD are the best way to realize their potential – and keep users safe in any situation.

#1

best stopping power of any armored vehicle material

#1

protection against high velocity threats

50%

panel weight reduction*

*Up to

How is Dyneema® UD made?

We start by using molecular engineering to create Dyneema®, the world’s strongest fiber™. Our cutting-edge method involves disentangling polyethylene molecules using our proprietary gel spinning process, heating and stretching the continuous filaments, then spinning these filaments into ultra-strong fibers.

To manufacture Dyneema® UD, we lay the fibers in a crisscross pattern at 0 and 90 degrees, with the rotated layers allowing for even and rapid distribution of energy. The result is a UD laminate material that’s used in the strongest, lightest, and most comfortable armor in the world. As a final step, we heat and compress layers of sheets of Dyneema® UD to produce ballistic panels.

Accelerating ahead of the competition

Armored vehicles need maximum mobility to realize their offensive and defensive capabilities.

The ultra-light properties of Dyneema® UD are the best way to realize their potential – and keep users safe in any situation.

CLICK ON THE HOTSPOTS BELOW

Outstanding spall liner protection against overmatch threats

Mine protection for vehicle floor

Radar dome protection

High-caliber composite protection

Battle-proven performance – even under extreme conditions

Significant armor weight reduction

Enhancing combat effectiveness for armored vehicles

By reducing the weight of armored vehicles while maintaining their ballistic protection capabilities, Dyneema® UD takes vehicles’ combat performance up a gear. You can expect greater efficiency and payload opportunities, as well as stable performance across hot, cold, and humid combat environments – all of which translate to higher rates of operational success.

For all-round protection on the go

The best stopping power of any armored vehicle material
Safeguards vehicles against a wide range of threats (e.g., bullets, fragments, hand grenades, IEDs)
Unprecedented protection against high velocity threats

Outstanding multi-hit performance in high temperatures and other extreme combat environments
Easy to install and dismantle for greater operational efficiency

Lightening the load of vehicle armor

The ultra-light properties of Dyneema® deliver a host of tactical benefits for armored vehicles, such as increased range, lower fuel consumption, mobility in heavy terrain, increased payload, and reduced rates of vehicle malfunction. Over the 10-year lifespan of a vehicle, these efficiency savings easily outweigh the initial cost of armoring with Dyneema®.

For lighter, more agile vehicle performance

Weight of armored vehicle panels can be reduced by 50% for certain threats, including strict multi-hit requirements at high temperatures
Integrating Dyneema® with a steel or ceramic strikeface provides lightweight protection against AP bullets
Lower fuel consumption increases range of operations

Lightweighting allows vehicles to carry a greater payload, reduces transportation issues, and minimizes maintenance and replacements
Enables significant weight savings of up to 1,000 kg per vehicle
New innovations in development that will enable even greater payload and agility

Protecting your armored vehicle – and the planet

Security isn’t just about protection from immediate threats; defending the planet for future generations is an equally important mission. Not only do Dyneema®’s inherent lightweight properties mean our fiber outperforms all competing alternatives in lifetime vehicle CO₂ emissions, but we’re also committed to reducing our carbon footprint in every aspect of our business and delivering end-to-end sustainability for Dyneema® products.

Here are just a few examples of end-to-end sustainability

Sourcing

Some products are available with bio-based Dyneema® fiber, offering the exact same performance and specifications with a 90% lower carbon footprint than generic HMPE fiber.

Manufacturing

100% of the electricity used in our manufacturing comes from renewable sources.

Usage

Lightweight armor means less fuel use. Plus the unique chemical properties of Dyneema® extend the life cycle of end products and reduce material usage over time.

End-of-Life

We work with our customers to establish collection points for end-of-life products, ensuring they’re disposed of responsibly without resorting to incineration or landfills.

The history of Dyneema®

Since the discovery of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in 1967, we’ve been on a journey of innovation to bring the benefits of Dyneema® to military and law enforcement personnel.

1990

First commercialization of Dyneema®

1993

Dyneema® enters the ballistics market with the first production of Dyneema® UD

2013

Dyneema® introduces Force Multiplier Technology that enables off-the-charts V50 performance

2023

Launch of Dyneema® next-generation UD

The material of choice for elite armed forces

Why do the world’s leading armed forces and law enforcement agencies place their trust in Dyneema®? Because they know it offers unmatched protection for vehicles and personnel while enhancing their combat effectiveness.

Law enforcement agencies include:

New York Police Department
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Chicago Police Department
Washington DC Metro
Baltimore City Police
Virginia State Police

US armed forces applications include:

Dyneema US Marine Corps Plate Carrier Generation III
US Marine Corps Enhanced Combat Helmet
US Marine Corps V-22 Osprey
US Army Modular Scalable Vest Generation II
US Army Integrated Head Protection System
US Army Soldier Protection System
US Military Joint Tactical Vehicle
US Navy Mark VI Patrol Boat
Advanced Bomb Suit

Almost all NATO member states, including:

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, UK, USA

Putting Dyneema® UD to the test

Armored vehicles made with Dyneema® UD have been tested across three continents in our technical centers with their own shooting ranges. These extensive tests include measuring the performance of Dyneema® at a fiber, UD, and application level. For application tests, Dyneema® armor is applied to military vehicles whose ballistic resistance is then tested against a wide range of variables.

Spall liner test

Dyneema® is a proven solution for multiangle threat environments, including overmatch threats.

Accelerated ageing tests – heat and humidity

To guarantee stable ballistic performance over time, our accelerated ageing tests simulate multiple years of real-time ageing, including in high temperatures and extreme humidity conditions. All Dyneema® materials show stable performance in these tests – ensuring a unique combination of strength plus durability.

Multiple environment simulations

Wherever your personnel are operating, they can rely on Dyneema®.

Civil VPAM armor testing

Our ballistic labs are set up to test and evaluate armored vehicles according to respected international standards, including VPAM, Stanag, and EN.

Military threats testing

Dyneema® has been protecting military vehicles for more than 30 years.

Contact our sales team

Balancing vehicle mobility with protection doesn’t have to mean compromise. If you’re from a law enforcement agency or defense ministry and would like to arrange a bespoke presentation, get in touch.

Purchasing for your organisation or agency
Threat mitigation advice
Tender process

Meeting – and exceeding – international standards

Vehicle armor made with Dyneema® UD is tested according to a variety of requirements across different countries, including VPAM and NATO. In all tests, we ensure that armor made with Dyneema® UD meets and surpasses certification standards, and we’re recognized as offering the lightest vehicle armor solution for armored vehicles.

With our multiple manufacturing sites, protection is never far away

Dyneema® UD is manufactured in both the USA and Europe, with both territories using strategically resilient supply chains to keep production close to home.

For the US market, Dyneema® is manufactured exclusively at our facility in Greenville, NC – a site that employs more than 400 US workers, of which 10% are military veterans. In addition, our Technical Service Center in Stanley, NC, supports US-based body armor manufacturers in next-generation product development. With these two US facilities, we ensure quality, consistency, and security of supply for our American customers, as well as no dependence on foreign materials, no disruption due to supply chain issues, and consistency and quality in manufacturing.

Meanwhile, our presence in Heerlen, the Netherlands, means we can deliver equivalent supply assurances for our European customers, with no change to our commitment to quality and reliability.

Design with Dyneema®

Do you work in designing or developing ballistic protection systems? Or maybe you’d like to test what Dyneema® UD has to offer? Our team would love to work with you to develop your ideal performance solutions, using our Dyneema® portfolio.

Design with Dyneema®