ASL GRP Marine Protection 2024

VESSEL PROTECTION

BALLISTIC AND BLAST PROTECTION FOR FAST PATROL BOATS | RIBS | CREW BOATS

MILITARY | AUTONOMOUS VESSELS

ASL GRPWHO WE ARE

ASL GRP (Air Sea Land Group) is a dynamic armour company with over 30 years’ experience in the armour, security and defence industry.

We specialise in the manufacture of lightweight ballistic and blast protection, specifically designed for marine vessels, armoured vehicles and high-risk compound protection.

Our extensive knowledge of lightweight, high strength materials allows us to manufacture bespoke components to provide you with a protection solution across any platform.

Using the latest machinery and our unique skill set, all of our products are designed and manufactured with pinpoint accuracy. Our materials are used for everyday front-line protection and the ASL GRP team takes pride in the fact that our products save lives.

CAPABILITIES

 Lightweight armour systems

 Bespoke ballistic, blast and anti-cut armour

 3D moulded armour systems

 Fabrication of high-hard steel

 Blast containment systems

 Safe rooms and ballistic doors

VESSEL PROTECTION

We are able to offer ballistic and blast protection solutions for all areas of a vessel, large or small. We can offer complete project management for design, manufacturing and integration of armour protection solutions on different seafaring platforms, including:

FAST PATROL BOATS

RIBS

CREW BOATS

MILITARY & NAVAL VESSELS

AUTONOMOUS VESSELS

SUPERYACHTS & TENDERS

ASLGRP.COM THE DYNAMIC ARMOUR COMPANY

NAVAL & PATROL VESSELS

ASL GRP design, manufacture and integrate armour protection solutions for Naval and fast patrol vessels. We supply add-on armour kits or ASL 3D Moulded Armour to protect your vessel in a hostile situation, while taking into account weight and performance requirements.

PROTECTION LEVELS UP TO STANAG LEVEL 2

We can supply our armour materials in varying weights and thickness, dependent on the level of protection required. Some of our materials lend themselves better to certain requirements. Following a brief survey of a vessel, our team can advise which materials are best suited to different areas of the vessel.

Our materials can accommodate ballistic protection levels from small-arms fire up to armour-piercing (AP) rounds.

The most common protection levels for a marine application are BR4+ up to STANAG Level 2. These include the AK-47 Kalashnikov and other automatic weapons commonly used by modern day pirates or terrorists.

Commonly protected areas include:

 Wheelhouse / bridge deck

 Engine room

 On-board armouries

 Safe rooms

 Door armour

Below: STANAG Level 2 armour panels installed into the wheelhouse of a new build vessel.

Right: Patrol vessel door with custom cut STANAG Level 2 armoured panels.

RIB PROTECTION

We can manufacture and install pre-engineered, bespoke kits to provide RIBs with protection when in use in high risk areas. Using lightweight materials, we are able to protect the vessel without affecting top speeds and performance.

 Consoles

 Crew area

 Engine compartment / covers

 RIB tubes

All armour panels and kits can be coated in the customers specific colour requirement, with a specified RAL number. Protection can be incorporated into a new build, or designed to fit an existing in-service vessel.

RIB TUBE PROTECTION

 Lightweight protection

 Removable system

 Protection up to 7.62 x 39mm

A protection blanket designed to protect the vessel and crew from ballistic attack. The blanket is deployable with the rapid fixing method.

This add-on ballistic protection blanket consists of ASL GRP’s Legion Flexi Armour encapsulated in a PVC covering. All blankets are made bespoke to your requirements.

The blanket cover protects the RIB tube from deflation as well as protecting the vessel’s occupants. We understand that there is not much room to add ballistic protection on the side areas of such small vessels, but this system allows the occupants to crouch down and take cover from small arms fire. The protection blanket can be designed for either a D-shaped, or a conventional full tube.

The cover is made up of several sections, depending on the length of the vessel. It can be moulded to the shape of the bow section, where each section is joined with our Velcro system. This allows an overlap that gives you ballistic protection even on the joints. The blanket is secured to the vessel using adjustable strapping. The cover can be manufactured in most carbon colours and to two different levels of protection, depending on what your potential threat is (please see chart below).

The cover is finished in a sealed, waterproof PVC material.

Legion Flexi Armour

Strapping

PVC covering

Illustration above shows the construction of the RIB protection blanket

ADD-ON ARMOUR

We are able to supply our materials in varying weights and thickness dependent on protection levels, from BR4 up to STANAG Level 2. Some materials lend themselves better to certain requirements; we are able to advise, collaborate and/or lead on all client project designs.

3D MOULDED ARMOUR

We incorporate ballistic materials into a high strength woven yarn, highly consolidated with a fire retardant resin system. By taking moulds of your required vessel or structure, we are able to supply protection for any platform, that can be externally clad.

We can design and manufacture moulded armour up to STANAG Level 2 stand-alone, or higher, in conjunction with other base structures.

Benefits of ASL 3D Moulded Armour:

 Stand-alone protection levels up to BR7 (no steel requirement)

 Significantly lighter than steel alternative

 Convenient to fit

 Reduction of part count

 No welding or mechanical fastening required

 Can increase the protection by 1 level.*

*Not applicable to STANAG Level 3 or higher.

PROTECTIVE ENGINE COVERS

As RIBs and fast patrol boats are often open and exposed, it is vital that engines are protected, providing a valuable escape from hostile situations. ASL GRP are able to manufacture both rigid and flexible protection options for outboard (and inboard) engines. The covers are designed specifically for your craft ensuring the greatest percentage of coverage possible, whilst maintaining full functionality.

 Removable covers

 No adjustment required to OEM parts

 Constructed from ballistic materials

Photo: Bespoke add-on STANAG Level 2 armour kits for RIB console.

Image © ST Engineering

Photo: Add-on armour manufactured by ASL GRP for coastguard patrol vessels in Asia.

CREW BOATS

One of the most important factors to take into account when armouring a crew boat or tender, is weight. ASL GRP’s most suited armour for this platform is Legion Polyethylene. It offers considerable weight advantages over traditional ballistic protection (for example armoured steel) and is able to be moulded into the required shape.

Ideally, being involved in the build process of a vessel would be beneficial (protection can be incorporated into the design), but ASL GRP has undertaken the ‘uparmouring’ of such vessels.

Commonly protected areas include:

 Consoles

 Crew area

 Engine compartment / covers

 Bulkheads

Windows

Console Engine compartment

Crew area

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

 Determine potential threat levels – ASL GRP’s technical team and ballistic consultants are able to advise.

 ASL GRP survey the vessel to ascertain material choice.

 The ASL GRP team take templates of required protected areas, any ballistic weak points in the design highlighted, and any potential installation difficulties.

 CAD drawings are created and if required, sent to customer for confirmation. A render of the finished project may also be supplied.

 Protection panels and parts are manufactured at ASL GRP’s production site.

 ASL GRP’s team of engineers install the finished armour products.

 Your internal fit out team are then able to finish the interior in accordance with the yachts’ style.

ASL GRP MARINE SHIELD

The Marine Shield can be fitted with a pedestal and gunmount or be integrated with a vessel’s existing pedestal.

Legion Polyethylene or Legion Ceramic panels provide a 3x or 5x panel configuration to protect the operator from 180 degrees of attack.

The shield framework can be manufactured from galvanised or stainless-steel dependant on the operator’s requirement.

BALLISTIC CONSULTANTS

Our ballistic consultants possess a unique range of reallife, practical experience from military and civilian sectors. Including blast, security and survivability: From stab and slash resistant PPE garments through to IED blast and anti-tank munitions.

Our highly qualified and experienced team have worked extensively with UK agencies, MOD and test houses. We can provide civilian security and infrastructure solutions. In addition, we can advise and produce threat analysis based on experience of real-world scenarios.

THREAT ANALYSIS AND ADVICE

DESIGN, TEST AND EVALUATION

THIRD PARTY REVIEWS

EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONIES

WATER JET CUTTING

Water jet cutting gives us a way to routinely cut precision parts with tolerances as close as 0.20mm and better when required.

There are many advantages to water jet cutting. As opposed to flame, plasma and laser cutting, water jet cutting produces no heat, therefore you are able to cut various metals, composites and other materials without melting, distorting or warping.

Working from your drawings and plans, we can quickly and expertly process your project. Our attention to detail and commitment to customer service guarantees an end product of the highest possible quality.

All waterjet enquiries: sales@aslgrp.com

Photo: ASL GRP's panels and shield system installed onto an in-service Maltese patrol vessel.

SUPERYACHTS AND TENDERS

For many yacht owners one of the greatest aspects of life at sea, is the privacy it brings. You are able to moor in a secluded bay or cruise in waters miles away from the crowds and bustling tourist destinations.

With growing security difficulties and the increase in pirate activity, owners and captains of superyachts must consider these threats both at sea and shoreside. Extra measures should be considered to ensure the safety of onboard personnel and high value assets.

Using our knowledge of high strength, lightweight armour materials, ASL GRP are able to offer protection solutions for the following:

 Ballistic protection for master suite and crew areas

 Armoured/security doors

 Internal wall-panel protection

 Hull protection

 Safe rooms / citadels

 Tender protection

ASL GRP can offer complete project management including concept, design, manufacturing and integration.

Our expertise in manufacturing and integrating military-grade protection solutions, allows us to manufacture a range of solutions to protect family and friends from hostile situations.

Choosing which armour system and selecting the areas to protect, are very customer specific. It may vary from a single safe room, master suite, armouries, wheelhouse, crew area, key operational areas, or simply the area in which most time is spent in.

A key part of the evaluation and design process that ASL GRP offer, can be to help establish the vessel’s key areas of operation, and cruising areas. Then, to assess which will likely be the most beneficial positions to armour and level of protection required.

We can work with the Project Managers, shipyards and interior fit-out companies to ensure finished protection merges seamlessly into its luxury environment.

Our aim is to offer a discreet service for the discerning client, whose main concern is their family, guests and crew safety.

AREAS TO ARMOUR

It is not practical to armour an entire vessel – particularly when we look at the scale of a superyacht. The more common route is to create an armoured space to where the owner and family / guests can retreat in the event of an attack, in order to remain secure until help arrives.

Both the floor and the deck head have to be taken into account to cover opportunistic angled shots that could come from above or below. This is important because to give an area true ballistic protection, it’s not just about adding armour to the side walls. A round of ammunition can pierce several layers of metal and interior walls.

REFIT OR NEW-BUILD?

Ballistic protection can be added at refit stage or, incorporated into a new build. There are advantages in the ASL GRP team being involved from the initial design stage. It gives the naval architects and designers the opportunity to take into account the weights, and strains, required for our armour systems from the start of the project.

Typically, if integrated from the design stage, the armour panels would be mounted between the steel or aluminium outer skin and the inner finish. The only requirement is for a specific sized air gap, technically known as a stand-off. Adding protection during a refit, or installing protection to an existing space, is known as 'up-armouring'.

MATERIALS

We are able to supply our materials in varying weights and thickness dependent on protection levels. Some materials lend themselves better to certain requirements; we are able to advise, collaborate and/or lead on all client project designs.

LEGION ARAMID

Legion Aramid is lighter in density than steel or GRP armours. The material is predominantly used for ballistic spall liners and is ideal for lower levels of protection (handgun and light machine gun).

Spall liners are commonly mounted on the inside of a vessel or structure and are designed to encapsulate the impacting projectile.

 Thickness from 1mm to 40mm

 Standard size panel 3000mm x 2000mm

 Light weight

 Water resistant

 Abrasion and chemical resistant

 Protection against 9mm, .44 Magnum, 2xDM51 grenade and BR4+ 7.62 x 39mm (AK47)

 Excellent fragment protection

LEGION FLEXI-ARMOUR

Legion Flexi Armour is designed to fit in tight spaces where sheet form protection cannot be used. Bespoke blankets can be manufactured to your specification.

The product is manufactured from a high strength, ballistic material. Legion Flexi Armour provides uniform protection from low calibre rounds, including handguns, light machine guns and steel-jacketed rounds (9mm DM41). It is commonly used for protection in door apertures, under floors or behind engine bulkheads. Flexi Armour provides excellent fragment protection, and is abrasion and chemical resistant.

Provide protection against:

 Level 1: Frag velocity 1,312ft/sec (400m/sec)

V50 standard

 Level 2: Frag velocity 1,640ft/sec (500m/sec)

V50 standard

 BR1 (.22 Rifle)

 BR2 (9mm Lugar)

 BR4 (.44 Magnum)

 BR4+ 7.62 x 39mm (AK47)

 2 x DM51 grenade

LEGION CERAMIC ARMOUR

ASL GRP’s Legion Ceramic Armour system is designed to defeat armour piercing rounds and other high level projectiles (up to STANAG level II and level III).

The ceramic panels are externally clad to a vessel to provide an add-on (appliqué) armour system against high powered armour piercing rounds. Panels are designed to stand-off from the original vessel wall to create an air-gap between the ceramic panels and the OEM skin, to provide an increased level of protection and allow the material to de-laminate and catch any fragments that occur.

Ceramic panels can be manufactured to any provided drawing or CAD file. ASL GRP offer a full templating service on all new vessels.

 Multi-hit protection

 Thickness 18mm to 40mm

 Performance is maintained even in very high or low temperature environments

LEGION POLYETHYLENE

ASL GRP’s Legion Polyethylene is used in a variety of applications including high-speed vessels, Cash in Transit (CIT) vehicles, military vehicles, firing ranges and other secure areas where lighter weight ballistic protection is needed.

The Polyethylene panels have a white finish to them. If specified a glass facing can be applied at time of pressing or bonded on afterwards and these can be cut to the customer’s specified size. See our testing page to view one of our Polyethylene armour panels being tested.

 Thickness 1.5mm to 40mm

 Very lightweight (density of 0.97kg/m2)

 Multi-hit protection

 Maximum panel size 1600mm x 1375mm

HIGH HARD STEEL

Our High Hard Steel offers high levels of protection for use where weight is not so restricted.

Capabilities:

 Laser and waterjet cutting

 Press braking

 Fabrication and assembly

 CNC machining

 Hi-Def plasma cutter

BALLISTIC DATA TABLE

These tables showcase our range of armour options and the ammunition rounds against which they typically protect.

Please contact our sales team who can advise which of our products are best suited for your requirements: +44 1983 400730.

BLAST DATA TABLE

The table below displays our armour options that protect against blast and fragmentation.