Armed forces from the United States, Canada, France, and now Great Britain are attaching armor to their vehicles with high-strength nylon hook-and-loop fasteners.

Force Protection Industries Inc. (www.forceprotection.net), a manufacturer of blast-protection vehicles, has awarded a $10 million subcontract to Foster-Miller Inc. (www.fostermiller.com) to supply such add-on armor for 85 vehicles ordered by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense. The vehicles are called Mastiff Protected Patrol Vehicles, and they will be delivered over the next six months.

Foster-Miller developed the Light-applique Armor Systems Technology in the 1990s for military vehicles. The fasteners used to attach the armor are five times stronger than the conventional nylon fasteners that are used in clothing and footware, says Foster-Miller.

Light-applique Armor Systems Technology also is used to reinforce airplane cockpits for the air forces of ten 10 countries, the company says.

Manufacturers have used conventional nylon fasteners to replace common fasteners such as buttons, shoe strings and buckles.