The Topologically Controlled Lightweight Armor (TCLA) program seeks to improve armor technology for military vehicles through the topological arrangement of multiple materials to achieve ballistic performance beyond what can be achieved through compositional changes alone.
The Topologically Controlled Lightweight Armor (TCLA) program seeks to improve armor technology for military vehicles through the topological arrangement of multiple materials to achieve ballistic performance beyond what can be achieved through compositional changes alone. Armor systems developed under the TCLA program should be able to stop improvised explosive devices and armor-piercing threats at less than one-third the areal density of rolled homogeneous armor steel and use fabrication processes that are readily scalable. By including manufacturability as an important consideration, DARPA seeks to ensure that TCLA armor technologies will gain military acceptance.