7xxx alloy defence applications with a balanced armor piercing fragmentation performance

An armor component produced from a 7xxx series aluminum alloy, wherein the aluminum alloy consists essentially of:

• 8.4 wt. %≤Zn≤10.5 wt. %
• 1.75 wt. %≤Mg≤2 wt. %,
• 1.2 wt. %≤Cu≤2 wt. %
• at least one dispersoid forming element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Sc, V, Hf, Ti, Cr, and Mn, with a total dispersoid forming element content higher than 0.05 wt. %,
• wherein if the dispersoid forming element is Zr, the dispersoid forming element content is less than 0.15%,
• wherein if the dispersoid forming element is Sc, Cr, Hf, or V, the dispersoid forming element content is less than 0.3%, and
• wherein if the dispersoid forming element is Mn, the dispersoid forming element content is at most 0.3%;
• the remainder substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities;
• wherein the 7XXX alloy is in the form of a plate having a thickness of 0.5 to 3 inches;
• wherein the 7XXX alloy is aged to achieve:
• (i) a fragment simulated particles V50 ballistic limit such that
• V50(FSP20 mm)>1633T2−1479T+1290
• where T is the thickness plate (unit:
• inch) and the unit of V50 is feet/s;
• (ii) an armor piercing V50 ballistic limit such that:
• V50(0.30cal AP M2)>−282T2+1850T+610
• where T is the thickness plate (unit:
• inch) and the unit of V50 is feet/s.