P&SN Staff
The 30th Annual Report on the Latest Advances in Ballistic Armor Technology and Design
Although major technological advancements and groundbreaking product developments are infrequent across industries, incremental improvements in existing product lines and the introduction of new products with innovative features occur annually. The ballistic protection industry is no exception to this pattern, as the past 12 months has witnessed numerous minor modifications which hold the potential to enhance the design and effectiveness of ballistic armor. To follow are some of the new advances in the ballistic protection marketplace.
AARDVARK Tactical
The new External Patrol Vest (XPV) from AARDVARK Tactical’s PROJECT7 Armor is built to reimagine how police officers are armored. Featuring a four-panel design similar to a tactical vest, it offers a better fit and greater coverage, all without sacrificing mobility. Compared to traditional two-piece armor systems, the XPV’s four-piece platform and cummerbund mitigate the risk of coverage gaps due to misaligned panels, small weight fluctuations or poor fitting vests.
The XPV consists of an external carrier, an optional internal concealable carrier and four soft ballistic panels. The vest offers multiple configurations to fit the mission of the individual officer. The XPV can be worn with its external carrier and ballistics alone or for missions which require concealment; when wearing a Class A uniform, the optional internal concealable carrier can be worn with soft ballistic panels alone.
This platform features internal radio channels for cable routing and a concealed magnet pouch for simple attachment of an Axon® body-worn camera. (project7armor.com/xpv)
Adept Armor
Most riot armor primarily focuses on providing protection against blunt impacts rather than knives, spikes or bullets. It shares similarities with football armor, as its main purpose is to safeguard against blunt force. However, the recently unveiled Adept Armor NovaSteel™ Breastplate offers an innovative solution. Designed to replace existing riot armor torso and shoulder components seamlessly, this advanced riot armor provides not only blunt impact resistance, but also meets the standards for NIJ Knife-3 and NIJ Spike-3 protection. Moreover, it has been tested to achieve ballistic performance up to NIJ IIIA/HG2 level and, with the inclusion of a lightweight ballistic plate, it is capable of reaching III+/RF2 protection. (ade.pt)
Armor Research Company (ARC)
Later this year, ARC will be “reintroducing” its legacy, Level III, articulating, rifle-defeating ballistic body armor with numerous NextGen innovations in construction. Aside from being flexible and formfitting, it allows ease of movement, is ultralightweight, and incorporates human factor-centric ergonomics.
ARC’s NextGen body armor is positioned to be introduced to law enforcement SWAT teams in high risk jurisdictions. (armorresearchco.com)
BlueRidge Armor
BlueRidge Armor has recently introduced the VENGEANCE™ X7, a hard armor ballistic shield which incorporates the latest advancements in armor technology. This shield is the first of its kind to undergo independent testing for various RF1 performance requirements outlined in the recently released ASTM ballistic shield test protocol.
The RF1 rating necessitates rigorous ballistic testing against the 7.62×51 M80 NATO Ball, 7.62×39 MSC Chinese Type 56 and the 5.56 M193 NATO rounds. To ensure the shield meets real-world requirements for routine deployment, BlueRidge Armor actively sought input from law enforcement personnel during the development process.
Constructed from a lightweight, high-performance ballistic composite material, the new shield offers improved balance and center of gravity. It features a sleek, curved design which envelops the user, providing enhanced coverage. The shield also incorporates the patented VENGEANCE viewport which includes a ballistic bezel system for a wide field of view. Additionally, it is equipped with the Elzetta EZH-R integrated rifle LED lighting system. (blueridgearmor.com)
Covered 6
In response to requests for a compact, lightweight and discreet solution for crisis response, Covered 6 has developed the Savior MTS (Multi-Threat Shield). This purpose-built product is specifically designed to address situations such as active shooter scenarios. The Savior MTS weighs 6.5 pounds for the Level IIIA option and ten pounds when equipped with the optional rifle-rated Level III plate. Its (patent pending) one-piece folding design ensures a seamless and cohesive structure without any seams or overlapping components.
Once deployed, the MTS provides protection against pistol and rifle threats; however, blunt and edged weapons are effectively mitigated as well. The Savior is donned using a shoulder sling which allows the user to keep the shield slung on his/her body in preparation for rapid deployment and allows the user to go hands-free to perform additional vital functions.
Covered 6 conducted their own extensive ballistic and puncture testing with 100% success; the tests exceeded the NIJ standard for ballistic testing. (covered6.com)
DARKMATTER™
DARKMATTER Energy Dispersal Pads reduce kinetic energy transfer and minimize behind armor blunt trauma injuries by up to 94%. They outperform traditional trauma pads in dissipating impact energy effectively. These pads also minimize Back Face Deformation (BFD) upon projectile impact. In tests, standalone hard armor showed a BFD of 39 millimeters (1.5 inches), posing risks. DARKMATTER pads remained resilient and effective after multiple hits, unlike other trauma products. When used with DARKMATTER pads, hard armor achieved a significant 27% reduction in BFD, surpassing competitors’ results of one to four percent. Manufacturers can now directly integrate DARKMATTER materials into ballistic plates through Direct Armor Integration. (darkmattersciences.com)
Fiber Brokers International, LLC
In 2005, Fiber Brokers began specializing in the secure destruction and sustainable recycling of body armor; the methods depend on the purity of the material. Now, they have created new methods to recycle items which are typically nonrecyclable such as used/aged helmets, shields, and several other coated ballistic materials, in addition to body armor. If they are unable to reclaim/break down the material for recycling purposes, they also have destruction services to crush the items or destroy them in another way. The unwanted material is disposed of in an ecologically friendly way.
Currently, para-aramids are one material for which the company is interested in expanding recycling solutions. The Fiber Brokers team is also scaling its operations to procure and effectively recycle additional types of ballistic and non-ballistic materials in higher volumes. (fiberbrokers.com)
Hardwire®, LLC
Hardwire offers a new edition to its soft body armor line-up – the Hardwire Ballistic Burrito, an adhesive neckline protector which quickly and easily attaches to any soft armor panel. It offers advanced protection for high obliquity shots to mitigate skipping of the projectile. It has been independently tested and catches the bullet at high obliquity angles. (hardwirellc.com)
Instant Armor, Inc.
Designed and engineered for First Responders, the Spartan Shield™ is a two-piece, lightweight, rigid, ballistic shield which can be deployed in under five seconds. This ballistic shield is well-known for providing anytime/anywhere Level III protection. Law enforcement agencies can also choose from a variety of 4″ x 10″ ID nameplates (Police, Sheriff, S.W.A.T., FBI and more) attached by VELCRO®.
The Spartan Shield meets or exceeds NIJ Level III (rifle) or IIIA (handgun), defeating high-powered rifle rounds and providing 19″ wide by 34″ tall protection when deployed. It easily fits behind seats or in a niche in the truck when folded – only measuring 19″ x 19″, and its lightweight form allows extremely fast deployment at only 16.3 pounds.(instantarmor.com)
Point Blank Enterprises, Inc.
The ORIGIN body armor system is scalable, modular and designed to cater to different levels of protection, ranging from concealable to full tactical. It offers easy configuration to meet specific mission requirements. With interchangeable components, ORIGIN allows for adaptation to immediate threat levels. These components provide maximum adaptability and incorporate state-of-the-art ballistic technology.
The Guardian Series is characterized by its modular design, providing a seamless integration of various components. This design not only allows for customization and adaptability, but also offers a wide array of options. These design features allow users to create a vest which aligns with their specific requirements in terms of appearance, fit and functionality. The Guardian is also engineered to ensure maximum freedom of movement without compromising on protective coverage. Through the Armor Smart Custom Vest Builder available at pointblankenterprises.com/armorsmart/, individuals can design their own custom Guardian vest.
The Vanguard series offers Level III rifle threat protection and comes in three distinct shapes. Each shape is designed to cater to different preferences and operational requirements. The Vanguard features a large rectangular ballistic viewport which provides ample visibility to the operator. Additionally, it is equipped with weapon index platforms on both sides, allowing the user to position their handgun or long gun for precise deployment. (pointblankenterprises.com)
Swift Shield™
In addition to the foldable versions which can be carried in a computer bag or backpack, Swift Shield has some of the lightest and thinnest rifle-rated shields available on the market today.
The new Swift Shield RF1 MAX is 30″ high, 20″ wide, .45″ thick, and weighs only 12 pounds. The RF1 PRO MAX is also .45″ thick, but is longer to provide more protection at 20″ x 36″ and still only weighs 13.5 pounds. The thin, lightweight ballistic material is an innovative, proprietary plate technology.
These rifle-rated shields are equipped with a unique proprietary handle which is easily gripped; allows for multiple carrying positions; and is virtually indestructible. They are also coated in LINE-X® which reduces glare, makes them waterproof and is quieter if they bump into anything. (swiftshield.info)
TacMed Solutions™
TacMed Solutions provides armor protection solutions for emergency professionals engaged in rescue task force operations, with an emphasis on supporting the mission of law enforcement. They have recently expanded their offerings by incorporating various new options from RTS Tactical.
Their new Premium Plate Carrier is extremely adjustable; one size fits most up to a 52″ waist and it can support either Level IIIA soft panels or Level III rifle plates. It is manufactured from 500D MIL-SPEC Cordura® with in internal lining of 3DX Mesh for enhanced comfort.
The new OPSEC Plate Carrier has a lengthy list of features including a quick release system, interchangeable loadout system, 360 degree laser cut MOLLE, and a 32″ drag handle tested at 960 pounds. The internal portion of the OPSEC has a breathable mesh spacer for comfort and comes in a wide variety of sizes to support up to a 65″ waist. The OPSEC is also capable of supporting either Level IIIA soft panels or Level III rifle plates.
Their final newest system is the Advanced Sleek 2.0. This carrier is primarily a discreet, low-profile system, but is also capable of supporting both Level IIIA soft panels and Level III rifle plates. The Advanced Sleek 2.0 is made of 8mm thick, closed-cell EVA foam and has the unique feature of side straps which double as both pistol and rifle magazine holders for a self-contained system. (tacmedsolutions.com)
