Australian company XTEK could become the next export success after making a proposal to the US Department of Defence (DOD) to develop new ballistic plates for the US Marine Corps.
XTEK completed the request for information process with Diamond Age, a US-based material science and engineering firm, to co-develop anti-ballistic armour systems that combine XTEK’s polyethylene plates with Diamond Age’s ceramic strike face materials.
XTEK has also been progressing the evaluation of the company’s helmet shells’ performance in conjunction with the US government’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO).
Initial evaluations produced positive results earlier this year, and additional test helmets will be sent to the US government for further testing.
In a statement, XTEK said it expects to have the test results in early 2019. If successful, the company will seek to secure a larger evaluation order from the US to validate pre-production quantities.
“The XTclave manufactured helmet shells represents promising and significant upside potential, as we look to develop the existing evaluation agreement with the US CTTSO into a significant commercial agreement,” managing director Philippe Odouard said.
“XTEK remains confident on the results of CTTSO’s evaluation given the similarities to the internal test.”
The company is also in discussions with European clients.
The ADF placed an order for XTEK armour in June, which will be sent to Diggerworks in December for evaluation.