Waco Composite Honored with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory by the House Armed Services Committee

Waco Composites is proud to provide an essential component of the 5-Ton Gun Truck Armor Kit developed by researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). These Gun Trucks are used to escort convoys as well as set up checkpoints. Soldiers in Iraq were attempting to armor these trucks by putting together hand-built kits of scrap steel.

President of Waco Composites, Wayne Hampton stands behind the armor.

The LLNL kit that includes ArmorCore Bullet Resistant Fiberglass has proven to be an asset with its high level of protection. This was realized by the U.S. House Armed Services Committee and on July 21, 2005 they held a public affairs gathering in honor of the accomplishments of this armor system to date.

More photos from the July 21st gathering ...

In the Field the new 5-Ton Gun Truck Armor Kits have proved to be a success.

Waco Composites was involved from the beginning of the Gun Truck Armoring. LLNL used ArmorCore in the first 30 Gun Truck Armor Kits that went into theater in Iraq. In March 2005 one of the kits mounted on a 5-Ton was put to the test while carrying 7 soldiers. This truck, named "IronHorse," was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The explosion mangled much of the truck, but the armor kit proved its worth. All seven soldiers live to tell the story. The letter below written to those responsible for this armoring system states it all ...

Sir,

I was the driver of the 5 Ton that was struck by the IED. I just want to thank you for what you have done for me. It is because of you and Chief that I am able to email you today. I had six other soldiers in that vehicle at the time of the incident. All seven are breathing today because of you. I can not thank you enough for what you have done. If there is ever anything that I can do to repay you, please do not hesitate to ask. I will do whatever is asked. May God bless you and your family.

The images below compare the hand-made armor kits made from scrap steel compared to the LLNL armor kit which includes ArmorCore.

Within the next few months there will be well over 100 Armored 5-Ton Gun Trucks with ArmorCore in Iraq.

To read articles and/or listen to a radio broadcast interview regarding the 5-Ton Gun Truck Armor Kit, please visit the Military Applications portion of our website.