Protection Solutions for Extreme Operating Conditions

Advanced Ceramic Materials for the Military – Ballistic Protection with Qitin® Armor Ceramics

Military protection systems place the highest demands on material performance and system integration. Whether protecting soldiers, aircraft, or armored vehicles, today's defense programs require lightweight solutions that deliver outstanding ballistic performance without compromising mobility or operational capability.

Qitin® Armor Ceramics

Body armor & platform armor in the military

Qitin® Armor Ceramics from Schunk offers a comprehensive portfolio of advanced ceramic components that have proven their performance in military applications worldwide—from body armor used by NATO forces and allied forces to protection systems for military helicopters. Manufactured from reaction-bonded silicon carbide (RBSiC) and reaction-bonded boron carbide (RBB₄C), Qitin® ceramic components are designed for integration into advanced composite armor systems, where they provide reliable protection under the most demanding operating conditions.

Body Armor for Military Personnel

Schunk's monolithic Qitin® ceramic components are engineered as ceramic strike faces for body armor systems designed to meet the highest ballistic protection levels. Upon impact, the ceramic fractures the hardened projectile core while the remaining kinetic energy is transferred into the composite backing material, where it is absorbed and distributed across a larger area.

Depending on the threat scenario, all three performance levels are used for military body armor:

Body Armor:

Qitin® Classic (3000 Series): A reliable and cost-effective solution for high-volume production programs.
Qitin® Performance (5000 Series): An optimized balance of weight, ballistic performance, and system integration.
Qitin® Ultimate (7000 Series): The technological pinnacle for maximum protection with minimum weight.

In addition to standard geometries, Schunk manufactures customized armor components, including ergonomically optimized female-fit body armor plates, using advanced manufacturing technologies under the Qitin® brand. With more than two million ceramic armor plates delivered worldwide, Schunk has the production capacity and manufacturing expertise to support large-scale international defense programs through highly automated serial production.

Aircraft Protection and Armored Vehicles

Integrated into advanced composite armor systems, Qitin® ceramic components can be precisely matched to complex geometries while providing reliable protection against armor-piercing (AP) ammunition, including under multi-hit conditions. The combination of exceptional hardness and low density enables significant weight savings—an important advantage for aircraft and highly mobile military platforms.

Different performance levels apply to each segment, as not all three product families are used across every application.

Aircraft Protection:

For the demanding requirements of military aircraft, Schunk exclusively offers Qitin® Ultimate (7000 Series). Advanced additive manufacturing enables the production of complex, monolithic ceramic components such as pilot seats or helicopter cabins without design-related weak points.

Vehicle Armor:

For armored ground vehicles, Schunk supplies Qitin® Classic (3000 Series) as a cost-efficient solution for high-volume production and Qitin® Ultimate (7000 Series) for complex component geometries.

Brochure: Defense

SiC & B4C armour materials for ballistic protection

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Benefits for Defense Procurement and System Integration

Resilient European Supply Chain: Reliable material processing and manufacturing operations entirely based in Europe help ensure long-term supply security.
Supports International Standards: Supports International Standards: Qitin® ceramic components provide an optimal material foundation for successful system certification to standards such as STANAG 4569, NIJ, and applicable MIL standards.
Lightweight Design: Up to 30% lower weight compared with conventional materials such as aluminum oxide, helping reduce overall system weight while improving mobility and payload.
Maximum Design Flexibility: Patented additive manufacturing technology enables tool-free production of complex monolithic ceramic geometries across both the Qitin® Classic and Qitin® Ultimate product families.
Advanced Digital Quality Assurance: Every armor plate undergoes 100% density verification, high-resolution X-ray inspection, precision 3D measurement, and complete digital documentation. A unique QR code links each component to its digital twin, ensuring full traceability for ten years.
Sustainable Manufacturing: Through the RECOSiC recycling initiative, Schunk plans to reduce CO₂ emissions from raw material processing by more than 80%, with industrial implementation scheduled from 2027 onward.

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