DoD Sustainable Products Center

Demonstration Products*

The following systems were selected for test and evaluation:

• Durable Target Products by DA Targets
• Durable Target Backer Products by Trango Systems

*Mention of or referral to commercial products, services, and manufacturers herein is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by, nor the official policy or position of, the Department of War (DoW), any of its Components, or the U.S. Government.

Demonstration Sites

Field T&E of these products occurred or is occurring at the following DoW installations to evaluate their performance in operational environments and to raise awareness of product availability:

• MCB Quantico, Weapons Training Battalion
• MCB Quantico, U.S. Marine Corps Shooting Team
• MCB Camp Lejeune, Naval Health Research Center
• MCRD Parris Island, Naval Health Research Center
• MCB Hawaii, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment

Demonstration Details

Currently, most small arms ranges use target stands with a steel base, upright wooden frame, cardboard backing, and paper target stapled to the cardboard. In addition, some ranges use durable steel targets. After each training drill using cardboard and paper targets, self-adhesive target pasters (stickers) are used to cover each hole, masking the target damage from the rounds shot at the target. After a few shot groups, the holes in the targets become too large to cover with pasters and the targets must be replaced. During training in inclement weather such as rain, wind, or snow, training must be halted to cover the targets with plastic sleeves. After each training session, the ranges can be littered with staples, pieces of paper, and cardboard, requiring frequent cleanup. Metal targets can be used for a long period of time but are prone to bullet fragmentation and ricochets, which limit their use and can cause injuries to the trainees and instructors.

As a possible alternative, the demonstration will evaluate lightweight heat-activated self-healing polymer targets built to use existing target stands and last substantially longer than traditional cardboard and paper targets. The targets can handle thousands of rounds and are made from advanced polymer materials that can seal bullet holes following impact. When a bullet hits the target, the energy triggers the material to close the hole, making the target ready for the next shot without any interruptions. Additionally, the targets feature a patented color-changing technology that reacts to the energy and heat from the bullet to temporarily change color at the point of impact to clearly mark the impact area (hit mark). This feature provides instant visual feedback on shot placement without the need to paint or cover over hit marks following each training drill. Avoiding the need to cover over hit marks increases the efficiency of training sessions.

The demonstration will also evaluate target backers made with a patented polymeric composite material designed for use in shooting range targets and tactical training products. Engineered from multiple layers to enhance strength and impact resistance, the material is highly durable and weather-resistant, capable of withstanding harsh conditions such as snow, UV exposure, and extreme temperatures. It prioritizes safety by significantly reducing ricochet and bullet back-splatter and can withstand up to 15,000 hits from multi-caliber rounds.