FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Expeditionary Shelter Protection System (ESPS). If you have any questions not answered here, please contact us.
What is ESPS?
The Expeditionary Shelter Protection System (ESPS) is a modular armor protection system developed to protect vulnerable soldiers and critical assets from blast and ballistic threats during initial deployment of military bases. ESPS was designed and built to conform with the US military performance specification standard number MIL-PRF-32521C.
How is ESPS used?
ESPS is used by the US Army to protect warfighters and critical assets (facilities, supplies, and equipment), by providing a rapidly deployable, immediate, mobile ballistic protection system against small arms and fragmentation threats. ESPS is used in forward operating military bases, tactical operations centers, combat outposts (COPs), command posts and checkpoints..
Why ESPS?
Because sandbags and concrete walls are heavy and time-consuming to deploy during initial deployment. There is a need for immediate protection that is lightweight and rapidly deployable. ESPS is always mission ready.
What makes ESPS unique?
The speed of deployment and re-deployment is the number one advantage of such system when compared to other conventional solutions like sandbags, HESCO, or concrete walls. Other systems are slow and time-consuming, costly to deploy, and require a lot of manpower or heavy equipment. Often, troops can be left unprotected during the initial phases of a deployment mainly due to the time and logistics required to set up such systems. On the other side, ESPS provides immediate protection
What does the system consist of?
Each ESPS module is a two-panel protection system consisting of a face plate and back panel. The face plate is comprised of a hard dense material that blunts and fractures projectiles allowing the back panel, which is comprised of fibrous material, to catch the blunted and broken threat. The advantage of this system over other armor solutions is that it provides a protection system that defeats ballistic threats while remaining lightweight, soldier transportable, and rapidly deployable. These panels are equally effective against direct fire projectiles as they are against fragments from indirect fire.
What are panels made from?
The panels are made from ceramic composites and high-performance fiber-reinforced composite materials using Compotech’s proprietary manufacturing process.
How ESPS is different from steel armors?
Steel Armors are heavy compared to ESPS panels.
What’s the size of the panels?
The panels come in one standard size: 1.22 m x 2.13 m
Panel weights and thickness?
G2 panels are 64Kg and 11mm thick. The G3 panels are 67kg and 8mm thick. The panels are designed to be carried by two people.
How fast does it take to set up?
35 meters per hour installation time by 4 people.
What does ESPS protect against?
ESPS panels protect against direct fire rounds, including 7.62 x 51 M80 NATO, 7.62 x 39 API BZ, and 7.62 × 54 LPS. Also, ESPS protects against Mortar, Rocket, and Hand grenade attacks with a protection level equivalent to a 44-grain FSP.
Is the ESPS fire resistant?
Yes. ESPS panels are fire resistant
Is ESPS export controlled?
Yes, the ESPS solution will require an export license from the department of commerce. Compotech has extensive experience in this matter and has exported these products successfully in the past.
How are the packaging and shipping logistics?
A 20-foot shipping container can be packed with 10 crates for a total of 120 modules per container. Each crate contains 12 modules. Each module consists of a face panel, a back panel and supporting hardware.
What is the minimum order quantity?
The minimum order quantity is 120 modules equivalent to 10 crates shipped in a 20-foot shipping container.
Where is ESPS made?
ESPS is manufactured at Compotech’s facility in the state of Maine, USA.
Do you currently have any orders of ESPS?
Yes. The United States Army is currently buying this product in large quantities.