Tanks go plastic

Military scientists in Britain demonstrated a battle tank this week in which
the conventional aluminium and steel shell is replaced by plastic and glass
fibre. The vehicle is nippier than a traditional tank because it is 10 per cent
lighter, though it will still need armour plating if it is to stand up to heavy
artillery. Its developers at the Defence Evaluation Research Agency also claim
the model is much quieter, making life more bearable for the crew. DERA
designers now hope to incorporate moulded stealth features into the plastic
hull.