First strategic defense company in country to receive T&A level III-A ballistics certification
MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., Oct. 13, 2021 — Honeywell today announced Brazil-based InbraTerrestre has adopted its Spectra Shield technology for lighter weight helmets for military and law enforcement. InbraTerrestre, one of the companies of the Inbra Group, will be the country’s first strategic defense company to receive T&A certification for level III-A ballistic helmets.
Designed with Honeywell Spectra Shield, the helmet represents an unprecedented development for Brazil’s armor industry and is a milestone for Latin America.
“By using Honeywell’s Spectra Shield, we can reduce weight by more than 30 percent in our new helmets and defeat small arm threats at lighter weight than current materials,” said Jose Antonio Silva Pinto, CEO and CFO, of Inbra Group. “We offer solutions for helmets, vests and bulletproof shields that offer various levels of protection and meet the U.S. National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard.”
InbraTerrestre develops and manufactures helmets to meet ballistic tests as required by NIJ standard 0106.01, ballistic levels II and III-A, VPO ballistic resistance of NIJ standard 0108.01 and high-speed fragments, in addition to threats at lower levels of protection. All products are tested and certified by the Brazilian Army at Marambaia proving ground under Portaria Nº 189-EME to ensure that products controlled by the Army are manufactured in compliance with technical standards targeting quality, safety, durability and performance.
“Honeywell’s advanced technologies are a result of the investment in research & development to continuously develop ballistic materials and bring these cutting-edge solutions to the law enforcement institutions across the region,” said Tim Swinger, business director for armor at Honeywell Life Sciences and Protection Industries. “Our innovations have consistently provided customers like Inbra with high-performing, high-quality reliable materials resulting in low-weight solutions for helmet, vest, and plate manufacturers to design next-generation protective gear for soldiers and service members.”
Honeywell’s Advanced Dynamic Deflection Technology is used in hard armor products to reduce deformation and structural damage by up to 40% without any decrease in ballistic stopping power. Even with reduced weight, the product series provides full coverage and protection from small fragments and bullets.
Pound for pound, Spectra fiber is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float. It has up to 60% greater strength than alternate aramid fiber. Spectra fiber is made from UHMWPE using a patented gel-spinning process.
Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic materials research program focused on continuous improvement and development of high-performance materials. For more information about Spectra fiber, visit www.honeywell-spectra.com
