BY ISABEL EVERETT
A Newcastle company has been awarded a $3.2 million dollar defence contract by the Federal Government, to begin testing and manufacturing a new-style of body armour which will protect soldiers during active duty.
On Monday, Armour Composite Engineering (ACE) unveiled a prototype which has been in development for around six years, of the innovative 'curved' body armour.
The new style aims to reduce the force of a ballistic impacts, and provide more mobility, particularly for women operatives.
Patron Senator for the Hunter and NSW Senator Hollie Hughes tried on the prototype.
"Earlier this year I was on a program over in the Middle East, where I was required to wear the traditional body armour and I can absolutely guarantee what I tried on today was not only lighter, but more comfortable for women to use in the future."
"This innovation is going to ensure our troops are safer when forward in theatres of war."
ACE Director, Adam Fairbairn says the resin adhesive material, means they can make body armour which suits individual shapes.
"This reduces fatigue, injury and is more cost effective than traditional armour to manufacture, it generally costs around $2000 at best to manufacture each suit."
Senator Hughes says the contract means the Hunter is perfectly poised to be at the centre of a post Covid-19 recovery.
"The Hunter region is just in the perfect place to develop the manufacturing sector we need to have, as the economy comes out of Covid."
"Whether you require ports, roads, rail, access to mining materials, manufacturing, or through the incredible VET Schools, TAFE and University's the region already has."
Senator Hughes says the project would not only have benefits for ACE.
"All of the supply chain, all of the logistics, all of those additional jobs will be created to service the new development at ACE."
ACE aim to begin manufacturing by the end of 2020, and will be conducting a field trial for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in January and February. They are hoping to have the armour in use out in the field within 12 to 18 months.
The contract, is part of the Federal Governments $265 million investment into innovation hub contracts in the Defence sector.
Scott Van Epen, Business Development Manager, Armor Composite Engineering; Patron Senator for the Hunter Region, Senator Hollie Hughes; Adam Fairbairn, Director Engineering, Armor Composite Engineering.
