Upgraded Kevlar to Lighten Loads for Troops.

• Author: Heckmann, Laura

ARLINGTON, Virginia -- DuPont, the company behind Kevlar material used in body armor, has announced its next generation of aramid fiber, which it says increases flexibility and reduces weight.

Branded Kevlar EXO, the innovation is a new chemistry and manufacturing process, said Steven LaGanke, global business leader for DuPont Life Protection. The product's main goal: lessen the burden on the soldier without sacrificing protection.

"If the wearer is more comfortable, they can focus on their mission versus being focused on how uncomfortable they are," LaGanke said.

Working with its partners, DuPont is using the new material to design and manufacture protective armor that conforms to all body sizes and shapes. DuPont plans to share more details on their partnerships in the coming weeks, he said.

Traditionally, improved protection means one of two things: more layers or more rigid material. Body armor requires a certain number of ballistic fabric layers for protection, resulting in increased weight and less flexibility. The material's new polymer allows for a microstructure that is stronger, LaGanke said.

"This chemistry has an ability to line up better in a structure which results in the increased fiber performance," he added...