LORD Corporation -- the world's leading supplier of commercial Magnetorheological (MR) fluid, devices and systems -- has announced that its MR technology has been selected as part of an advanced suspension system designed under contract from the U.S. Office of Naval Research.

Intended for the Variable Load and Ride Height Suspension System for existing and future military vehicles, the contract is for science and technology activities to include trade studies, technology development and concepting for the suspension system on the family of U.S. Army and Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical vehicles.

The suspension system being developed features best-in-class technologies. Damping in the system is provided by LORD MR technology. Instead of traditional hydraulic fluid, the suspension's dampers contain LORD MR fluid, which is affected by an electromagnet in the damper's piston. When exposed to a magnetic field MR fluids change state from a liquid to a semi-solid nearly instantaneously and with complete reversibility. As a result, MR dampers provide fast and infinitely-variable control of energy dissipation, which can be perfectly matched to the terrain conditions and vehicle characteristics. The result is improved performance, reduced part count and complexity, smaller package size and less weight when compared with other advanced suspension technologies. The suspension's spring characteristics are based on variable- pressure air-spring technology in a novel package, which allows for variable ride height and enhanced transportability. All technologies being incorporated into the system are proven, reliable technologies with high technical readiness levels.

"The next generation of tactical and combat vehicles will have an even greater need for advanced mobility," said Kristopher Burson, market manager, LORD Corporation. "MR can provide substantial vehicle performance improvements. Demonstrations have shown that replacing conventional shocks with MR dampers gives substantial improvements in maneuverability and safe driving speed, improved vehicle stability, a significant reduction in driver absorbed power, and a reduction in vehicle wear-and-tear due to up-armoring."

About LORD MR Solutions

LORD MR technology is based on proprietary and patented fluid, damper, mount, brake and clutch designs and sophisticated computer control algorithms. The technology enables engineers to design a wide range of devices and systems with far greater flexibility than before possible. The result is improved performance, reduced part count and complexity, smaller package size and less weight.

With headquarters in Cary, N.C., USA, and sales in excess of $630-MM, LORD Corporation is a privately-held company that designs, manufactures and markets devices and systems to manage mechanical motion and control noise and vibration; formulates, produces and sells general purpose and specialty adhesives and coatings; and develops products and systems utilizing magnetically responsive technologies. With manufacturing in nine countries and
offices in more than 15 major business centers, LORD Corporation employs more than 2,400 worldwide.