NFM Adopts Honeywell Spectra Shield® Ballistic Materials For Improved Protection In Military Gear

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J., Oct. 19, 2021 -- Honeywell today announced a collaboration with NFM Group for the use of its high-performing Spectra Shield^® ballistic composite materials for next-generation protective gear for global militaries.

NFM will outfit the Norwegian Armed Forces (NAF) with ballistic vests incorporating Honeywell’s Spectra Shield technology. The new vest is designed with the innovative Spectra Shield 6000 series to provide NAF with better protection, comfort and mobility at a lighter weight than vests made from woven products. In addition, NFM will use Spectra Shield in the design of its new lightweight helmet, HJELM, to provide full coverage and increased protection for special forces. The new introductions will be on display at Milipol Paris.

Honeywell’s Spectra Shield series has been widely adopted and proven for the most advanced armor applications globally, from bullet-resistant vests, breast plates, and helmets, to combat vehicles and military aircraft where lightweight solutions and performance are critical.

“We’ve taken an innovative approach in development and production of our protective equipment for soldiers that includes working with Honeywell to advance cutting-edge ballistic products for armed services around the world,” said Toivo Horvei, CEO of NFM. “By incorporating the latest Spectra Shield technology into our designs, we can introduce new ballistic vests and helmets that are designed specifically to have superior flexibility, light weight and maintain high-performance, especially against special types of threats.”

To meet the global body armor demand, Honeywell in 2019 announced increased production capacity of its proprietary Spectra fiber, an ultra-strong, yet lightweight fiber made from ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) for use in advanced armor applications. Honeywell’s Spectra Shield and Gold Shield products have been widely adopted and proven for the most advanced armor applications globally, from bullet-resistant vests, breast plates and helmets to combat vehicles and military aircraft- all of which require lightweight solutions and superior performance. 

“As we have expanded our Spectra Shield portfolio, we have focused on developing best-in-class ballistic materials that can meet the highest performance standards and demanding protection requirements of militaries and law enforcement agencies around the world,” said Tim Swinger, business director for armor at Honeywell Packaging & Composites. “Our innovation provides high-quality and low-weight materials to enable leading manufacturers like NFM to design next-generation protective gear for soldiers and service members without compromising comfort.”

Pound for pound, Spectra fiber is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float. It has up to 60% greater strength than alternate aramid fiber. Spectra fiber is made from UHMWPE using a patented gel-spinning process. Spectra Shield technology is a patented Honeywell process designed to optimize the ballistic performance characteristics of Spectra as well as aramid fiber.

Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic materials research program focused on continuous improvement and development of high-performance materials. For more information about Spectra fiber, visit www.honeywell-spectra.com.

Founded in 1996 by members of the Norwegian Armed Forces (NAF), the NFM Group is a Norwegian-owned company and a leading supplier of soldier protection equipment, serving armed forces and police units worldwide.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.