James Read

Areas of expertise

• Armour systems
• Explosives and Munitions
• Structures and Materials
• Weapons Engineering

Background

James is a current PhD researcher within Cranfield Forensics Institute, having previously completed an MSc in Explosive Ordnance Engineering within Cranfield Defence and Security. 

James' research to date has included examining the penetration performance of differing protective materials from crossbow attack, analysis of behind armour blunt trauma from projectiles with varying geometries, and the effects of external IED fragmentation on lethality, focusing on the interaction of fragmentation during both detonation and post blast, fragmentation spread patterns and the viability of using novel capture materials to enhance data sets.

Current activities

James' PhD focuses on the characterisation and assessment of soft tissue simulants for improved survivability assessment. His research will examine the effects of simulant performance when exposed to varying environmental conditions, opportunities for simulant re-use, the environmental impacts seen during material disposal and the potential to create a bio-representative survivability simulant using layering. 

Clients

Defence Equipment and Support

Defence Ordnance Safety Group - Personal Ballistic Protection

Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure

Publications

• Articles in journals