Unique material passes government testing and proves effectiveness in protecting soldiers, saving lives

Columbus, OH--Battelle announced today it has developed an advanced composite armor material systems solution capable of stopping the Explosively Formed Projectile (EFP) threat. It is exclusively licensed to Protected Vehicles, Inc. for use in the company's ShieldAll^TM armor system. When compared to other systems claiming to defeat an EFP, the new material composite system is lighter, less bulky, multi-hit capable, and made of readily available materials thus remaining cost effective.

The breakthrough advanced material system is a uniquely customized composite that includes metals, ceramics, reinforcing, and patented binders. The armor solution can be tailored to specific threats and is modular for ease of installation, repair, replacement, and modification. Battelle and Protected Vehicles, Inc. collaborated to create the modular armor system trademarked as "ShieldAll^TM".

The new solution recently was put to the test at two government testing facilities in Maryland. A single component of the ShieldAll^TM system can stop multiple armor piercing projectiles exceeding a 7.62mm threat. When combined with Protected Vehicles, Inc. armoring methodologies, the complete system is capable of stopping threats from 50 caliber armor piercing rounds, to multiple EFP threats without the weight associated with conventional metal or ceramic armor.

The military is constantly adjusting to ever changing enemy threats. With the modular ShieldAll^TM system, the hidden armor package can be modified in theater to meet the current threat.

"The ShieldAll^TM breakthrough means tailoring the armored vehicles to the threat in the region. This can extend the productive life of the vehicle, and reduce maintenance costs," said its co-developer, Scott Versluis, a Commercialization Manager at Battelle.

"Battelle has been with us from the beginning, and we are excited to be working with them on this breakthrough," said Garth Barrett, President/CEO of Protected Vehicles, Inc. "We see a tremendous opportunity to save lives with this advanced vehicle protection solution at a time when it is greatly needed."

Under the exclusive licensing agreement the manufacturing and marketing of this novel armor, the companies plan to ramp up production to meet the varying needs of the military. In addition, they plan to continue development efforts targeted at further enhancing the armor's capabilities and developing a number of different protection applications and products. Based on readily available components and continuing participation from a tier one polymer manufacturer, ShieldAll^TM is immediately available for large scale production ramp up.

About Battelle

Battelle provides solutions to some of the world's most important challenges through its three global businesses: National Security, Energy Science and Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. Battelle is the world's largest independent research and development organization with technology contributions that find their way into hundreds of commercial products each year. Conducting $3.8 billion in global R&D annually, Battelle oversees 20,000 employees in more than 120 locations worldwide, including five national laboratories Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy. Headquartered in Columbus , Ohio, and established in 1929 as a non-profit charitable trust, Battelle focuses on societal and economic impact and actively supports and promotes science and math education.

For more information, visit www.battelle.org or contact National Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney at (410) 306-8638.

About Protected Vehicles, Inc.

Protected Vehicles, Inc. designs and manufactures mine and ballistic protected vehicles using technology derived from Rhodesian and South African vehicle development programs carried out from 1970 through 1994, advanced US technology, as well as U.S DoD technology developments. Founded in 2005 by Garth Barrett, a pioneer in mine blast and ballistic protection since the early 1970's, PVI is headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina and just unveiled the Protector, a light protected vehicle, at a press conference and Marine Corps visit during the last week of July, 2007. The Company employees over 650 and has approximately 350,000 sq. ft. of R&D and heavy metal fabrication space capable of cutting, bending, and manufacturing, thus enabling complete onsite fabrication of capsules and vehicle assembly.

For more information, visit www.protectedvehicles.com; email shieldall@protectedvehicles.com; or contact Drew Felty at (843) 554-8080, ext 219.