MORRIS TOWNSHIP, N.J., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Honeywell and Canada's Novatec Braids Ltd. announced the U.S. military picked its super-strength polyethylene fiber rope for fast-insertion operations.
Novatec Braids Ltd. developed its Novabraid Fast Rope using Honeywell's super-strength, lightweight Spectra fiber. Spectra fiber is a bullet resistance fiber used in military armor for combat situations.
At 15 times the strength of steel, the fiber used in the rope allows military personnel to descend quickly while maintaining the 30,000-pound tensile strength necessary for safe fast-insertion operations.
Novatec directors describe the fiber rope as a low stretch, cut-resistance product that boasts vibration-dampening properties for military, marine, industrial and recreational applications.
The Fast Rope is designed for military personnel to descend fully loaded down the 1.75-inch diameter rope from as high as 90 feet, Honeywell said.
"Honeywell's Spectra fiber is strong enough to help Novatec's rope meet critical strength and safety standards and help U.S. military personnel successfully conduct critical insertion missions," said Phil Wojcik, global business director for Honeywell's fiber and composites sector.
