TAMPA, Fla. --- Liquidmetal Technologies, today announced it has been awarded the first phase of a new research and development contract by the U.S. Army to develop high performance Kinetic Energy Penetrator (KEP) rods for use in armor-piercing ammunition systems.
Because this technology would also benefit the Air Force and Navy, the Army is managing this effort as a joint service program.
The 15-month contract is funded at just under $2 million. The goal of this agreement is to further develop Liquidmetal KEP- technology with the long-term goal of providing production quantities to the U.S. military. The market potential for KEPs could exceed several hundred million dollars. As a sub-contractor to this effort, General Dynamics-Ordinance and Tactical Systems will be providing systems integration, design, and testing support.
Bulk Liquidmetal alloys are amorphous alloys that are two to three times stronger than titanium, harder than tool steel, and can be molded into precision parts similar to plastics. Liquidmetal Technologies is the first company to produce amorphous alloys in commercially viable bulk form, and the alloys are considered a major advance in material science.
-ends- Liquidmetal Technologies Awarded U.S. Army Contract To Develop Armor-Piercing Ammunition Systems
