Dr. CHLADEK INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT

Works solving these problems concerning foot protection started in 1988 year. Firstly there were collect different materials appropriate for armour construction. In this period number of different types of flexible armour were prepared. Differences were in material, number of layers, thickness oflayers, technology oflayer connection etc.

Picture: Prototypes of armour prepared for testing

Each sample was tested by explosion. Like testing charges were used boosters made from TNT, PETN and Semtex. In accordance to results of previous steps, new test samples contain also a sole were made. After successful trials with different explosive charges, there appeared clear request: co-operation with boots producer is necessary. There was necessary to know which material and which technology can be use for resistant boots production.
  

ZEMAN shoe Ltd. INDEPENDENT DEVELOPMENT

Zeman shoe Ltd. started own research & development works concerning mine resistant boots during year 1998. During preliminary stages was used available information from other abroad producer and experience from tests carried out in USA.
All leather boots reinforced by ballistic material and sole with special shape for movement of explosion gases outside the boot contains aluminium insert were base of own development

Final prototype was prepared for tests in spring 1999. These tests show that own way in R&D blast resistant boots is bad. Boots had not required protection level.

During tests were ob-tained also some interesting finding:

• Sole design is not so important and it has minority effect on protection level
  
• Boot construction must be without any metallic part
• It is necessary to find appropriate testing methods (there are no standards)

There were necessary to find some expert experienced in explosives and protection against explosion. Meeting with Dr. Chladek, independent expert in explosives on exhibition IDET 99 was successful. There started new era in research and development of blast protective boots.
 

JOINT RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Both sides met flrstly during lnternational Exhibition of Defense Technology IDET 99 in May 1999.

Already in start of co-operation there were given basic requirements for final product:

• boots will be appropriate for all-day wearing,
• must be resistant against AP mines containing around 35g TNT and/or unexploded ordnance like sub-munitions and related items,
• will be designed for all peoples who must go across dangerous areas, especially wide range ofhumanitarian workers as well as for de-miners.

During R&D works each material, each technology was tested by explosion of different charges. There were necessary to find new technologies and also new materials appropriate for resistant boots production. Special attention was given to main parts of future boots, like sole, toecap and heel scat.

After two years from first meeting, during two years co-operation there were made new mine resistant boots.
  

RESULT OF CO-OPERATION

lntroduced product "Blast Resistant Boots model Zeman AM" offer resistance against explosion of AP rnines and unexploded ordnance with a charge of 70g TNT. Materials used for boots production ensure waterproofs while keeping permeability for water vapors out from the boot.

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