Dimmable windows

GKN Aerospace has been awarded a $425,000 (£255,400) contract by the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) of the US Department of Defense to develop instantly dimmable bullet-resistant windows.

The development programme will combine GKN Aerospace's bullet-resistant glazing expertise with 'suspended particle device' (SPD-SmartGlass) technology from Research Frontiers.

GKN Aerospace is licensed by Research Frontiers to use the SPD-SmartGlass technology to develop armoured glass products that will also offer vehicle occupants instant 'on-demand' light control and attenuation, privacy, and protection from heat, glare, and ultraviolet (UV) light penetration.

Dr William Fischer, vice-president of technology at GKN Aerospace, said: 'This new development will have its initial application in the global counter-terrorism market for government VIP Armoured Personnel Vehicles but also has real value in the civilian VIP market. These "SmartShade" windows will give a level of control, protection and privacy for vehicle occupants not available until now.'

The programme will address three distinct technical objectives. The first will be to develop and refine a manufacturing process that will enable SPD-SmartGlass technology to be effectively incorporated into armoured windows. The second will ensure these new windows perform effectively in a range of extreme environmental conditions, and the third will be to ensure that they meet stringent ballistic testing performance requirements.