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September 12, 2007

R.I. company builds new Army Humvee in Ohio

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- The Army will soon begin testing a composite, non-metal Humvee utility vehicle that is 900 pounds lighter than its conventional counterpart.

The prototype vehicle was built by Rhode Island-based TPI Composites at the company's plant in Springfield, Ohio.

The idea is to make a vehicle that can carry extra armor to better protect soldiers against roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Company President Steven Lockard says two more vehicles are currently being built in Rhode Island, and the Army plans to test them later this year,

The vehicle's frame and body is made of composites -- a combination of Fiberglas, balsa wood, foam and carbon reinforcements all held together with resin.

-- The Associated Press

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 11:28 AM | Permalink

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