Ceradyne Inc, through its vehicle armor division, Ceradyne Vehicle Armor Systems, and in conjunction with its teaming partner, Ideal Innovations Inc of Arlington VA, announced the introduction of a high-threat vehicle designated the “BULL.”
According to Marc King, vice-president of armor operations for Ceradyne, the vehicle is designed for close urban terrain and can withstand the most lethal IED (improvised explosive device) threats facing ground forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Intended to complement the mission capabilities of the MRAP (mine-resistant, ambush-protected) class of vehicles, the BULL's armor protects against explosively formed penetrators (EFPs), the shaped charges that hit vehicles from the side in close urban terrain, and can withstand conventional IED attacks against coalition forces. Details of its complete capabilities remain classified.
The BULL can be configured as a logistics vehicle for transporting cargo, fuel, and other supplies, providing logistics crews the same increased level of protection as that for ground forces. Future procurements of the BULL are under discussion with several government agencies, in addition to the Department of Defense.