National Project: container LOOK

Title:
Development of technology to produce a light observation and defence container (LOOK) made of ultra-durable nanostructured steels

Name of the programme: Smart Growth Operational Programme

Executive Agency: National Centre for Research and Development

Project financed by the National Centre for Research and Development under the Smart Growth Operational Programme

Project value: PLN 3,578,428.48

Contribution from national funds: PLN 3,013,677.32

Co-financing for Łukasiewicz – GIT: PLN 1,214,646.25

Start: 01.07.2017 / End: 05.04.2022

Consortium:

• Łukasiewicz Research Network – Upper Silesian Institute of Technology [Leader],
• Alchemia S.A.,
• HEATMASTERS Poland Sp. z o.o.,
• Military Institute of Armoured and Automotive Technology
• Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów S.A.

Project Manager:
Jarosław Marcisz, BEng, PhD, DSc
Tel.: 32 2345 206
E-mail: jaroslaw.marcisz@git.lukasiewicz.gov.pl

Objective:

The armoured observation container is designed to secure and protect soldiers or officers performing operational tasks (e.g. control and defence points, bases or other strategic facilities, airports, borders) in peacetime as well as during war or stabilisation operations. Thanks to armour, surveillance equipment and an integrated weapon system, the container reduces potential personnel losses and effectively helps combat threats in supervised areas.

The aim of the project was to increase the resistance to penetration of container walls by anti-tank missiles.

The goal was achieved by using plates of bainitic nanostructured steel, which is characterised by high resistance to high-energy impact point interactions. The result of this type of interaction may be a puncture of the armoured plate, its cracking or local weakening, contributing to the loss or reduction of protective capacity. Plates used in firing conditions should be characterised by puncture resistance, in particular in multi-hit conditions. The innovative grade of bainitic nanostructured steel is characterised by a high ability to absorb and dissipate impact energy, and changes in the properties of the material at the place of firing occur in a very small volume, therefore it meets the requirements of the multi-hit test. The use of nanostructured steel plates allowed for the improvement of at least two utility parameters of the container: an increase in the degree of ballistic protection, and thus an increase in the safety of the crew, and a reduction in the total weight of the object.

The project was carried out on three levels: development of the structure and manufacturing of an innovative container, development of industrial technologies for the production and processing of armoured plates of bainitic nanostructured steels and testing the properties of these plates, including under high-energy dynamic loads.