The armor specified herein is intended for use on vehicle and personal armor systems. It is highly favorable because of its lightweight, high stiffness, and high damping properties. The creation of this specification is the result of an Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Research & Development (R&D) Program. The information related to this study was published in a Technical Report, ARL-TR-4077, dated April 2007, entitled "Ballistic Evaluation of Magnesium Alloy AZ31B" ^1/. The R&D study illustrated that magnesium alloys can be used for applications in lightweight armor. Application for this armor is in the development for body armor, helmets, and LTAS vehicle armor systems. Future applications will be in the development of a lightweight tactical hull. Corrosion resistance has been evaluated and tests have shown that with a suitable coating this alloy can be used in the above mentioned applications.

^1/ Copies of this report are published as ADA466839 and are available from the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC), Suite 0944, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6218 (Toll Free No.: 1-800-225-3842).