Kinetic energy absorptive composite article

A kinetic energy absorptive composite article comprising:

• a plurality of plies, each ply comprising a plurality of substantially parallel fibers;
• and
• a resin encapsulating the plurality of fibers;
• wherein a plurality of localised weaknesses are comprised within the fibers, the locations of the plurality of localised weaknesses forming a pre-defined pattern around at least one alternative release plane;
• the pre-defined pattern comprises a first sub-pattern and a second sub-pattern superposed upon the first sub-pattern;
• wherein the second sub-pattern is a periodic pattern;
• wherein at least one of a periodicity or an amplitude of the periodic pattern varies along a length of the first sub-pattern;
• and
• the first sub-pattern is configured so that a crack formed by an impact event propagates substantially along a pre-determined fracture path to separate the kinetic energy absorptive composite article into at least a first portion and a second portion and the second sub-pattern is configured to set a threshold below which the crack does not propagate.