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Polaris Defense will showcase
Survivability Solutions Advanced Armor & Non-pneumatic Tires at the AUSA 2012 Annual Meeting & Exposition |
Minneapolis, MN (10/22/2012) - Polaris Defense, a division of Polaris
Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII), is showcasing two advanced vehicle
technologies, designed to address the U.S. military's need for increased
vehicle survivability, at the AUSA 2012 Annual Meeting & Exposition. A
lightweight, advanced armor solution and non-pneumatic tires (NPT) are on
display in Polaris Defense booth #3913 through Wednesday at the Washington
Convention Center, Washington, D.C.
"We take our role as a defense provider very seriously and as a result have
identified two critical survivability challenges, invested in the
development of effective countermeasures and are delivering them to the
customer," said Richard Haddad, Polaris Defense General Manager. "We can
meet the military's need for cost-effective, robust solutions by providing
lightweight, advanced armor technology and non-pneumatic tires that will
help increase the survivability and prolong the life of the U.S. Military's
expansive tactical wheeled vehicle fleet."
Perfecting the Iron Triangle: Advanced Armor
Polaris Defense, partnered with M9 Defense, has developed a unique
lightweight armor technology for the U.S. military. This is showcased as a
concept demonstrator HMMWV at AUSA. While displayed on a light tactical
vehicle, the armor is applicable to any tactical wheeled vehicle or combat
vehicle platform. This new armor is produced with certified military
materials using a proprietary ballistic resistant formulation and
manufacturing process and it has the lowest pounds per square foot of any
armor available in today's market. The steel-hybrid composite armor, in
conjunction with a high-speed production process, allows the Polaris/M9
team to form this cutting-edge armor into capsules and other ballistic
vehicle components at speeds comparable to that of sheet metal processing,
greatly reducing the overall cost.
"This armor redefines the iron triangle by restoring vehicle payloads,
improving ballistic protection and upgrading vehicle performance and
mobility," said Haddad.
Reinventing the Wheel: Non-Pneumatic Tires
The acquisition of Resilient Technologies(tm) enables Polaris Defense to
harness its non-pneumatic, never-flat tire technology towards increasing
the survivability and handling of both currently fielded and future
vehicles, either as a block upgrade or an integrated component. The NPT is
composed of a central polymeric web surrounded by a rubber tread band which
allows continuous operation, even if up to 30 percent of the web is damaged.
"We have tested our NPTs over 5,000 miles with a .50 caliber bullet hole
and the performance exceeded expectations," said Haddad. "This capability
gives our troops an edge when operating in rugged terrain that destroys
tires by eliminating the mission impact associated with flats."
"Advanced armor and NPT technologies significantly broaden the capability
of Polaris Defense platforms and leverage the company's strength in product
innovation and vehicle development," said Haddad, "ensuring that Polaris
Defense remains the leader in the ultra-light military vehicle market."
About Polaris
With annual 2010 sales of $1.991 billion,
Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and
markets off-road vehicles (ORVs), including
all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and the Polaris
RANGER® Side X Side vehicles, snowmobiles
and Victory motorcycles for recreational and
utility use and has recently introduced a
new on-road electric powered neighborhood
vehicle.
Polaris is a recognized leader
in the snowmobile industry; and one of the
largest manufacturers of ORVs in the world.
Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and
representing the first all-new American-made
motorcycle from a major company in nearly
60 years, are making in-roads into the cruiser
and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris
also enhances the riding experience with a
complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories
and parts, available at Polaris dealerships.
Polaris Industries Inc. trades
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
“PII”, and the Company is included
in the S&P MidCap 400 stock price index.
Information about the complete line of Polaris
products, apparel and vehicle accessories
are available from authorized Polaris dealers
or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.
