UK headquartered Umeco Structural Materials will be exhibiting its latest products for the land security and defence sectors at the 2012 Eurosatory International Show, which takes place at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, Paris, France from 11 - 15 June.

The company says its composite materials are used extensively in an ever-increasing variety of defence applications, ranging from ballistic and blast protection systems in armoured vehicles to structural components for vehicle, naval and aerospace applications, including UAVs, radomes and communication dishes.

The dismounted soldier is also said to be well-provided for with advanced composite materials being used in lightweight helmets and body armour.

Umeco will be displaying a number of exhibits to demonstrate its expertise in the defence sector, including:

• The Alpha Eagle aircrew helmet, designed and manufactured by Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd., which uses Umeco’s our VTM264 carbon and aramid fibre fabric prepregs. VTM 264 prepregs were selected because they can be quickly laid-up, cure at low pressure and can provide a good surface finish straight from the mould.
• Vest Guard UK MAX-7 Hard Armour Plate vest, containing ballistic hard armour plates manufactured using Umeco’s MTM 28 prepreg. Capable of stopping a 0.30 calibre armour-piercing round, Umeco’s  prepreg has been co-moulded using VestGuard’s proprietary materials and techniques to provide cost-effective life-saving equipment for those operating in the armed and police forces, journalists, private security personnel and VIPs.
• Ballistic panels, demonstrating the application of the company’s MTM 82 S2-Glass reinforced phenolic resin and MTM 248S epoxy resin prepregs in ballistic and blast protection systems.

“Our extensive R&D facility includes a team dedicated to developing a wide variety of materials for specific customer needs. This activity has resulted in world-leading, technologically advanced prepregs, adhesives and ancillaries which provide oven/vacuum bag and autoclave processing options. Customer, design and manufacturing support completes the picture, all of which can be seen on our stand at the show,” Umeco said in a statement today.