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Archive for the Body Armor Category
Ensuring the safety of the men and women of the police forces within the United States
While US Soldiers are equipped with usually the greatest and latest life saving devices such as Kevlar Helmets, Kevlar bulletproof vest, and extremely fortified tactically equipped vehicles to fight battles overseas in harsh and urban terrain (which makes sense) as they fight battles on a daily basis. Uniformed Police officers who step up to the plate every day to battle crime such as drug dealers, gang members, murderers, and homelands terrorists in urban terrain will go without even decades old life saving devices. On average 1 officer dies every 53 hours within the Unites States and in 2011 68 of the overall deaths of police officers were from firearms related injuries. (Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine) Much of this happens do the lack of funding within police departments and the ability to obtain such equipment such as bulletproof vests and other necessary products as well as cut-back in personnel training. You see many officers that actually do receive bulletproof vest will decide not to wear them as they will say they are too bulky and too heavy, or even too hot, yet not considering the implications in mind of what could happen if they do not wear the vest that day. Another fault happens at the local level especially down in the south wear the heat will climb in to the staggering degrees and officers wearing the vest will once again cling to the excuse of the vest being too hot to wear disregarding the lifesaving implications of the vest.
You see officers will have to get out and have to work traffic in the heat and complain about the vests. It is where law enforcement agencies to work to ensure that they setup local policies to ensure that their officers are doing what is necessary to save their lives. Another problems officers and police departments, especially small under equipped offices face, are expired, out of date vest that no longer are able to make the cut and do the job that is required of the vest in order to save the lives of the officers. When this happens, the officers are just wearing a heavy Kevlar vest that is there for looks and will essentially not stop anything no matter the distance. These expired, out of date vest are really the only concern because when it comes down to it the police departments are not getting these devices for free so essentially once the Kevlar vest is expired the department has essentially thrown away money which will cause a department to rethink about buying more vests in the future or they will continue to use these expired vests way into the future thus putting the officer’s life at risk. This is where companies such as The Best Body Armor come in with the production of light weight and superbly efficient tactical bulletproof vest where local police departments can get such needed equipment for their officers for the field and their safety so that these staggering numbers can decline. With vests exceeding government requirements, NIJ certified up to level 5. Police Departments, even the ones who are on the tightest of budgets can afford to get the brave men and women of law enforcement the lifesaving equipment needed to help to their job in their field.
Once purchased the real problem as mentioned before becomes getting the police officers to wear them and to keep them worn no matter the scenario. As said before the officer usually do not like to wear them in the South while working traffic as the heat tends to rise, nearing the hundreds and wearing a Kevlar or any type of bulletproof vest can get uncomfortable. This is where it is up to the local level police departments to implement the necessary needed required legislation or rules for that department for their officers to keep their vests on. The Federal government can pass laws that require all officers to wear, but if it is not enforced by the departments then nothing will become of this. However, is departments and states get behind it much as the seat belt laws, and the Click it or Ticket Campaign in the state of Florida, Officers will soon be wearing their vest in all conditions thus decreasing the numbers of lives lost to firearm related fatalities. While enforcing at the local level would not make it wear the lower level police departments would be able to afford more Kevlar vest at a more reliable rate it would mean the decrease in the department deaths. With the departments would be more likely to request funding or raise funding to obtain such needed accessories.
With more officers, more likely to wear vest if they are being locally enforced by their Departments, means the opportunity for more expired, out of date Kevlar vest. One issue departments face is the arrival of the vest due to the number of vests ordered. They will complain that they will take weeks to months to arrive thus putting their deputies at risk. (KSL.COM) And this issue will shorten the life span of the vest (though not drastically) by the time it arrived and was ready to be put into use by the officers and their respective police department. This would possibly risk the department ordering the vest entirely if they knew it was going to take such a long time to receive the Kevlar vest for their officers. Again, that is where companies such as The Best Body Armor come into play. Offering quick and FREE SHIPPING on products that will SAVE the lives of the wearer! With products up to NIJ level 5 rated and all different types of camouflage and MOLLE accessories every Police Department can get the equipment that they need to keep the lives of their Officers safer than ever.
Another factor that will boost the wear rate of the wonderful life saving devices are more updated technologies to ensure that the Police Officers, like the military, have the most up to date devices to ensure their safety here at home where it is slowly becoming more like a battlefield in some cities and gang territories. Bulletproof vest manufacturers are required to meet and in most cases, exceed requirement setup by the government to ensure that the Kevlar vest are capable and proven to do the job. Some of these standards are or include: Increased test velocities for Types IIA, II, and IIIA vests. An increase in the number of shots under which each vest must perform reliably. That number is nearly 90% higher than it was under the previous standard. Test panels must pass a submersion test where the vests must be fully immersed in 70-degree water for 30 minutes prior to being tested. A requirement for the vest to perform reliably after an accelerated aging process. (Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine) With these higher standards and requirements, it is going to prove that these Kevlar Vest are reliable and safe and are going to go the distance when needed to save the life of an Officer in the line of fire while doing their duty to protect the citizens of the United States.
In conclusion where as our soldiers, who see combat and risk their lives to ensure we have the freedoms necessary to conduct the perfect American Life receive the newest and latest in life saving technology, many officers here on the home front who risk their lives on a daily basis so that we can enjoy the freedoms go without Kevlar vest and other types of bulletproof vests that are needed to keep them safe and alive. And unfortunately, in some cases when they do have the needed Kevlar vest they are either outdated, they are expired, or the officers are not enforced to wear them and choose not to because of the bulkiness of them and the heat, and what good is a vest if it is not on or is expired or outdated. This is where local enforcement from department heads come in and enforce the wearing of these lifesaving Kevlar vests. As well as newer and better designs and research into the technology of bulletproofing is so vital. And as mentioned earlier that is where companies such as The Best Body Armor come into play yet again. Creating and selling bulletproof vest ranging all types of NIJ levels all the way up to NIJ level 5 a plate and ranging from a vast selection of colors from black to tans to several Camos, Police departments and the average security guard are now capable of getting the safety devices that they need in order to continue to carry out doing their jobs to best of their ability to protect the wonderful citizens of the Unites States of America while putting themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis.
Security Personnel and Body Armor
The body armor and security industries are two closely interdependent trades. On one hand there’s the ballistic protection market which, fueled by the security industries never ending need for the latest improvements in bullet and stab resistance, continues to implement the latest technological advancement in engineering to further decrease the chances of serious injury or death. Considering those, there is the security industries constant growth; which nowadays ranges from shopping malls to high profile government institutions. All of the vastly different areas of operation entail varying levels of threat. For example, the dangers a bar security employee might find himself faced with are mostly stabs and low caliber guns; yet on the other hand an armored vehicle security guard might be more inclined to use a much higher grade of body armor that also protects against assault rifles and sub-machine guns. In some sectors of the security industry, other lesser-known types of vests are used like covert armor carriers, which provide a discrete fit, and are often times concealed completely. This conceal-ability comes along with a lighter overall weight and the inherent flexibility of Kevlar plates. This lightweight armor is usually worn beneath layers of clothing and is mostly used for securing private parties, high-end nightclubs or VIP protection scenarios.
One of the sectors that has arguably seen the largest growth in semi-private security has university campuses. Given the unfortunate reality that school shootings have been at an all-time high, some colleges have begun to adopt higher measures of security for the protection for their staff and students. Campus security face many dangers on the job and some tasks are not necessarily recognized. Beyond the basic “speeding on campus” traffic stops and all of the drunken bar fights, public intoxication and indecent exposure that tend to be a regular part of the college party scene. Some of the basic tasks of any university officer are to conduct daily and nightly patrols of buildings for anyone of ill intent. Their job also forces them to confront and questions the presence of any stranger on campus that may seem like a risk to himself or others, knowing and spotting suspicious behavior is key to this part of the job. Most officers are even trained to detect the presence of religious extremism and the recruitment strategies commonly used on young students. While most of the day-to-day interactions for campus and local police are relatively benign, Campuses tend to attract other more serious dangers like car chases, drug dealing, armed robbery, bomb threats and even mass shootings. So while it may seem like Campus PD’s do not need a lot of protection, very serious threats can arise out of nowhere, so it is better to be prepared for the worst.
Ultimately, all security jobs require specific gear, and when acquiring your ideal piece there must be a certainty of the threats and situations that protective armor will be exposed to. Ideally, managers should consider the most suitable options in order to assure their staffs safety on the job. Moreover, since there still is not a thing as a bulletproof officer, it is up to the people in the industry to strive for improvement and advancement in a field only limited by imagination and time.
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Should body armor be legal?
Is there such a thing as Overprotection?
When considering how precious and delicate life can be, one is often confronted with questions like, do I feel safe? Am I being prepared? Is there such a thing as “too prepared?” The most common conclusions tends to be that no matter how protected you are, you are not bulletproof. And nowhere less is that the case than in states like Connecticut, where state laws have been passed that directly confront the second amendment. These laws severely criminalize the buying and selling of protective body armor by any means that is not a person-to-person transactions. As a direct consequence, Public Act 98-127 not only restricts civilians’ access of life-saving protection but also directly affects law enforcement and military personnel, who depend on catalog or online bulk transactions, from acquiring an indispensable part of their gear. Why does that matter in Florida, or any other of the 49 states, you may ask. With New York following Connecticut’s footsteps and queuing up a few body armor restrictions this year the picture could not be clearer since some other anti-gun states are expected to jump on the bandwagon against self-protection for all the wrong reasons. The main drive behind these attempts to forcefully restrict the American people of their constitution given right is the general disarming of America with school shootings bearing the burden of being the excuse.
“The people intent on committing these atrocities outfit themselves with the macabre tools of their trade … and the defensive gear to ensure they do the most damage,” says Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center. A D.C.-based gun control research organization.
Although Mr. Sugarmann attempts to make a solid point about how the use of protective gear can, in some situations, hinder police’s attempts at controlling a situation since the criminal can be better protected against police force. To stop the main concern, criminals being better protected from law enforcement, some states have made it illegal for a person with a criminal record ranging from a simple misdemeanor to anyone that has been incarcerated from ever attempting to own any type of body armor or weapon. While this might put a dent in most former criminals attempts at acquiring protection there are still a wide variety of known ways you can acquire bulletproof protection illegal through the internet. So are these laws really helping the public (which should be their sole intention) or are they inadvertently just making it harder for the common law-abiding citizen American to take their safety into their own hands.
Should these restrictions continue to spread across the states we could inevitably find ourselves at a point where choosing protection based on your personal needs will be a thing of the past and only an option for certain law officers and active military personnel; confining citizens to a very limited and compromising number of options for self-preservation. In a country built on the foundation of freedom, having limited options for protections seems to directly interfere with that fundamental right. So does body armor hurt people? Of course not, their invention came from the need to preserve life and minimize injuries. And taking into account that police scanners, radar detectors and night vision binoculars are still 100% legal, we can only ask ourselves; Are we focusing on the problem at hand? Or just demonizing an important life-preserving tool in order to feel a little “safer.”
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Concealable Bulletproof Vests
Bulletproof vest too heavy? Can’t wear your favorite clothes with your current bulky vest? Don’t want anybody knowing that you’re wearing one? Lots of civilians embrace and sometimes even love the idea of owning a bulletproof vest but, in some occasions, it is better to keep things practical, simple, and private. For these applications and situations, wearing a concealable bulletproof vest is the absolute best choice.
What is a concealable vest?
As the name implies, a concealable or “concealed” bulletproof vest is a thin, lightweight, and compact vest that protects and individual for bullet impacts.
Since concealable armor is thin and soft, it is perfect for everyday wear and its applications can be extended further than just providing body protection. Concealed armor can also provide side, lower body, and head protection and it is suitable for extended wear.
Depending on the clothing used, these vests can provide absolute discretion while worn. The key to successfully hiding one lies on professionally measuring one’s body dimensions to customize the fabrication of the vest.
Composition
Since stealth is as the top priority besides safety, concealable bulletproof vests are required to be manufactured from light yet strong materials which are usually Kevlar and Aramid. When applied successfully, these materials can provide sufficient protection from handguns and even shotgun rounds except slugs.
These vests are designed to protect individuals from real-life threats, where machines guns and assault rifles are not commonly used.
Protection levels
Kevlar is a highly customizable material thus, multiple layers of it can be applied to reach different levels of bullet protection. According to the U.S. National Institute of Justice (NIJ), a typical concealable vest usually offers protection from 9 milimeter FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) bullets at 1090 feet per second. Scale wise, this means that most concealed vests are tested for Level IIA NIJ standard protection.
If a higher level of protection is desired (NIJ IIIA for example), more layers of either Kevlar or Aramid can be added to the concealable vest. Theoretically, this would allow the vest to achieve higher bullet-resistance from faster and larger bullets, but this usually, if not always, results in a thicker, less discrete vest.
Legality
In some of the U.S. States, civilians are allowed to buy and use bulletproof vests. However, in some states like Connecticut, residents are prohibited from acquiring body armor unless it is done in a face-to-face manner (Connecticut State Constitution).
As of this article’s date, the state of New York still allows civilians to purchase bulletproof armor, but this state might be in the works of new legislation that might prevent so. As a result, it is advised to buy now while it is legal.
Laws Related To Body Armor
Cost
Concealable bullet proof vests are made from the same materials that conventional ones are and sometimes, they can be less expensive than their counterparts because less material is required during production. However, this may not always be true because concealed vests usually require tailoring and customized cuts from expensive equipment.
Expect to invest around 350 U.S. Dollars on a concealable vest.
Is there any other information that I should know in regards of body armor?
Of course, we thank you very much for reading this article; we hope it enriches your mind with useful information.
Last, but not definitely not least, please do not forget to visit our website at http://www.thebestbodyarmor.com/ for more information about our products.
Also, get an instant $25 discount when buying any of our products by using our “Protect(25)” promotional code.
– Fernando Da Silva
The Big Question
Body armor be a wonderful device that can be used to protect the lives of many people in troublesome times. Normally, some people would think that it should be easy and simple to buy body armor anywhere in the United States; however, this is not always the deal. There are different conditions that each state requires sellers and buyers to meet before any body armor can be purchased or sold. However, which states allow the purchasing and selling of body armor and which state do not?
States that have issues with body armor.
Normally, it is allowed in most states in the U.S. to both sell and purchase body armor. However, the question that we are stuck with is, “which states have issues with selling or purchasing body armor?” To name a few, according to safegaurdarmor.com, Connecticut has a rule where you must purchase the body armor face-to-face with the individual selling that said body armor. It is illegal to purchase any type of body armor over the internet, over the phone, or even by mail; it must be done in person. There are also some states that have issues with individuals who have criminal records to purchase body armor. A state that can be used as an example would be Kentucky. If someone attempts to purchase said body armor and it turns out that they have some form of criminal history on record, that person will have their purchase rejected. Also, if someone commits a crime while having body armor on or even having body armor on their person, this can also be considered a crime. However, if the individuals who is purchasing the body armor does not have any form of criminal history, they will be free to purchase and use the bullet proof vest.
In some states such as Louisiana, according to bulletsafe.com, it has similar rules to Kentucky in the sense that individuals who have a criminal record are not allowed to purchase or wear body armor. Anyone who commits a crime while wearing or in possession of body armor will also be charged. There is however another rule that comes into play. According to safeguardarmor.com, body armor cannot be worn on school grounds.
Many states have different regulations on the purchase of body armor, so it is best to consult your local court house or even a quick internet search to know the boundaries of your state. Below is a video that gives a brief recap on what was just discussed, it particularly talks about issues in Boston and how civilians that commit felonies have body armor.
States that are fine with body armor
As done with the states that have issues with body armor, there will be an example of a state that is fine with body armor laws. A state that can be considered would be Florida. Body armor can be purchased online or face-to-face by a person and it is legal to wear that armor. Of course, it is illegal to wear the armor during the commission of a crime according to bullsetsafe.com, but that is just considering standards and regulations to protect the innocent.
Overall, a lot of states have the same rules when it comes to owning or using body armor. Except for a few such as Connecticut, Louisiana, Kentucky and New York; buying and selling body armor is never really an issue that people would run into. The law normally circulates around criminal behavior and where you can wear body armor at.
If you enjoyed reading this article there are plenty of other body armor related stories that can be read at www.thebestbodyarmor.com. While there, you can use the Promo Code: VestProtects(25) to get $25.00 off your next vest purchase.
NIJ resetting the standard
The National Institution of Justice is the governing body that set standards for ballistic, stab, and strike resistance technology. This year the organization has come together, to alter a few requirements and procedures associated the NIJ approval process. Apart of the process is manufacturer and user input on the new regulations. The full list of additions will be released later this year, but it has announced a few concrete changes. In these changes the NIJ’s overall goal is to progress safety standards followed by body armor manufacturers to increase the protection level, and to increase longevity of the vest. Each major change made, was made to accommodate and protect the consumers of body armor.
Changes…..So Far
The official release of the NIJ 0101.07 drafted standards, are planned to be available for public comment on JustNet.org later this year. To date, there is a plan to make several changes to the requirements for NIJ verification. The first is to establish a proper testing procedure for body armor that is manufactured specifically for women. This will establish a proper testing protocol made by a staff of engineers and female officer input. This is to increase precision of the protection levels created by NIJ by implementing specific testing for the female body. In addition, they will also be announcing the addition of two new types of ammunition. These include 7.62 x39 mild steel core and 5.56mm ammo. With the addition of these, the divide between levels in 0101.06, will close and NIJ can get a better baseline of protection for all users. Another addition is the change in the velocity, all body armor new and used, will be required to undergo firing at the same velocity. The organization has also stated that they will rename everything in their ranking system. Instead of using roman numerals, the naming system will be informative and direct. The new names of the ballistic protection levels will be comprehensible to majority consumers. It will also give a clear understanding of the type of protection provided. New terms will also decrease any misunderstandings between all involved operating bodies, like government facilities, testing centers, and manufacturing.
Effects on Everyone
The effects of these changes will benefit all consumers of body armor in the long run. The addition of the new ammunition, will help the NIJ more precisely rank the protection level provided by each vest undergoing testing. This proper ranking could help anyone who utilizes body armor understand the reality of the protection provided by their armor. Furthermore, the NIJ has decided to retire NIJ Level IIA. One positive thing for manufacturers of body armor is they have a chance to gain verification under new standards. Currently, the NIJ has listed 5 facilities manufactures can send their current product to be tested at the updated standards. The ultimate end result from these changes are to provide a safer and more reliable testing method. Proper testing can improve longevity of the vest for all consumers. It can also make it easier to purchase the right level of protection. Increasing these two elements can provide a generally safer product. The buying and selling of Body Armor regulations are still effective in each perspective state, and federal levels.
Salute
Since it is the duty of the NIJ to regulate standards for law enforcement on a national level, you can depend on their ratings of armor to be accurately labeled. Body armor is a great protection tool that could be the difference of life or death for some users. Understanding and taking advantage of regulatory information provided by the NIJ can help anyone better understand the type of protection they will need. The NIJ has made it their mission to establish superb standards to guarantee that proper protection can be regulated.
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Summary: The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has begun a revaluation of standards and classification of body armor. Although the complete of standards are stated to come out later this year via JustNet, the regulatory body has released some of the concrete changes that will be made.
Keywords: change, NIJ, standards, body armor
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Does body armor actually provide protection?
Yes. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Justice and provides levels as government standards of stab and ballistic resistance for body armor and bullet resistant materials. In order for a bulletproof vest to be approved by the NIJ, all armor and materials mist go through a week long torture test, followed by a controlled firing by a programing cannon. The same armor put through the torture test must also meet or exceed NIJ standards at the subsequent firing. This ensures that regardless of the environment or handling of the bullet resistant materials, the armor will remain effective even after being exposed to extreme heat, freezing cold and harsh abrasion, This test is often filmed and must be administered at an independent, government approved, third party weapons laboratory in the U.S.
How many inspections must the body armor undergo?
The body armor must undergo four different inspections: Primary Inspection, Secondary Inspection, Tertiary Inspection and Final Inspection. After these inspections, it must complete testing which was explained earlier.
How are the vest tested?
During testing, the vest must undergo horrible conditions to see if the vest is able to withstand. For example, the vest in a freezer to harden to see if it can hold up cold conditions. After being removed, it is shot, stabbed and even beaten to test the durability of the vest. During this process of testing, the vest must withstand these conditions while all labels must stay in tack. Below, you will find a chart that shows the different guns that are tested on the vest. These guns range from small handguns to high powdered rifles and assault rifles. By testing with thee guns, this ensures ultimate protection and durability against these weapons and climate conditions as well.
What weapons are tested on the vest by the NIJ?
Our armor is tested exclusively by government accredited weapons laboratories based in the U.S. Any armor used in our vests must not only meet government weapons grade standards, but exceed them by a significant margin in order to ensure that our ballistic vests are far superior even those held to national, military and law enforcement standards. All business operations, sourcing, material, testing and assembly are performed in the U.S.
Have The Best Bulletproof Vest passed the standards set by the NIJ?
Every bulletproof vest offered here at The Best Bulletproof Vest has been thoroughly tested in the U.S. government approved facilities and far exceeds any government standards for its stated NIJ rating. Every aspect of our armor surpasses the highest government standards including the NIJ standards in place for police, military and civilians. Our vest have been proven to provide ultimate protection and durability for up to 10 years. All of our vest are sourced, tested, handmade, assembled and individually inspected by ballistics experts right here in the United States.
How do I know which vest is right for me?
Picking out the right vest is really simple. The vest comes in one size but can be adjusted to fit each person comfortably. The vest come in a variety of colors and styles so picking out a cool looking vest won’t be hard. Just determine what style you would like and the rest if fairly simple.
For further information about us or to purchase our product, visit our website at the bestbulletproof.com.
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What is the body armor of the future?
The innovation surrounding the new tech driven world, has a culture of making rapid changes to
the social norm. Currently, there are a select few materials and designs accepted and used by consumers. These materials withstand to the best of their abilities, but with all the leaps forwards in other aspects of technology, it sparks curiosity on the future of military body armor. Although nothing is officially released, there are a couple of technological breakthroughs being developed for the protection world.
Liquid Metal, No this isn’t fiction
One of the sci-fi inspired ideas being developed currently, is the implementation of a liquid metal body armor. Created to reduce the weight and bulk of body armor; most materials used presently are far heavier, and can weigh up to 30 – 40 pounds. This new armor technology, if successful, will provide the same, if not better level of protection at a fraction of the weight. At this point the mind tends to wonder about “how it is possible to have a full range of protection from liquid armor?” The technology developed behind this development is the most intriguing aspect. One of the possible fluid compound is using small iron particles and submerging them in a silicon oil, this oil prevents the liquid from rusting. The armor is activated by a current, which makes the iron particles align on top of each other to produce a hard shield. The hardness of the armor is determined by the strength of the current ran through the armor. Although it sounds as if this armor may not be introduced until another life time, it has been predicted that armor could be implemented as early as 2020. The armor is supposed be implemented in a body suit being funded and created by the Army, the TALOS program.
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The TALOS program
The name TALOS is an acronym for tactical assault light operator suit, this program is
responsible for piecing the liquid armor to an even larger product. This operator suit will be a new category of protection and has 3 main components, the liquid armor, exoskeleton, and technological integration. These 3 parts come together to create a state of the art super suit. The liquid armor is the first component, and has the most important job. Providing full protection to the solider but will refrain from weighing the solider down. The next component is also of grave importance, the creation of the exoskeleton. There has been several trimmings to this outside protection, including a tech integrated helmet and the addition of leg reinforcements. Each component of this suit is an attempt to create a super suit that will ease soldier’s burdens, such as carrying load outs. The technical additions to this are what give this future product its unique flare. The plan is to incorporate a range of technologies that could put a lot of equipment being carried to rest. For example, scientist plan to place full GPS system in the suit to help pin point their location if needed. It will also host a communications system equipped with local and wide connections. The next is a vital monitoring system that will report the soldier’s status to their superior officer. This includes things like oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. The biggest feat in getting this suit operational is a proper power source, batteries of our time will drain before the suit even has a chance to be put to full use. We will see what TALOS has in store for the American solider.
Military Body armor future technology
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Should a bulletproof vest have side plates?
The question of running a rifle plate rig with side ballistic plates comes up quite often as people frequently get concerned about the lack of side protection offered by traditional plate carriers. There are several disadvantages to having hard side plates, namely weight, cost, and loss of mobility.
Weight
If someone has already committed to burdening themselves with hiking around with approximately 18lbs of ballistic plates strapped them to protect themselves from rifle fire, it may seem like a logical progression to go ahead and throw on side plates on as well. The problem is that side plates are still extremely heavy. Each side plate can weigh up to 5lbs, so what was an 18lb rig is now 28lbs, a 55% increase. Not only is that the upper limit of what even the fittest men can comfortably wear, but that 10lbs could have been better spent on other gear for providing water, shelter, or firepower.
Cost
The second major negative is the increased cost of side plates. The price of purchasing a specific plate carrier that has side pockets coupled with having to buy two additional plates is often the price of another whole two-plate vest. The reasons for this are fairly straightforward. While the cost of the material used in side plates will obviously be less than the much larger forward and rear plates, the processing in manufacturing and labor hours are roughly equivalent. Add in the fact that there are fewer suppliers of side plates in the market, and the price for a side plate is approximately the same as a front plate. The same goes for the manufacture of plate carriers that can accommodate side plates. The additional material, complexity and labor hours, coupled with fewer suppliers competing in the marketplace means the price is significantly higher than a two-plate carrier is.
Mobility
The third and probably most important downside is the significant loss of mobility that comes with running side plates. Depending on their size and cut, they can restrict the arms from lowering completely. They cause the vest to become rigid in three dimensions making bending and twisting nearly impossible. This is particularly noticeable when running for cover in drills. Not only does the increased weight and un-natural top heaviness slow you down, but also once you hit the deck all of the plates hit each other and often times do not lay properly causing them to jab into the user. Once finally under cover, moving the shoulders and peeking from behind cover is practically impossible with the shoulder and torso contortions necessary to shoulder a rifle in confined spaces.
Practicality
These negative characteristics of side plates are not helped by their limited actual protective value. What most people typically do not address is the actual likelihood of being shot in the side where a side plate would come into play. If worried about being hit by a “sniper” or similar long-distance shot, such marksmen typically do not shoot when presented with a target at a profile. This is because the target area presented is smaller than if you were facing them dead on or with your back to them, reducing the chance of a hit that would unnecessarily expose their position.
While it is true that in an ambush scenario, the attacking force is more likely to attack from a flank, but how long does it really take you to rotate and face the force? A second? Maybe less? Moreover, from then on out you are stuck carrying 50% more weight for no added functional protection in the middle of a firefight. Bulletproof vests are great, and can save your life. However, in a firefight, structural cover that can absorb the energy of the bullets is going to be better in the long run, especially when it comes to protecting your extremities and head. So which is better, having 10lbs of steel to protect you from possibly 1 second of danger while slowing you down, possibly preventing you from reaching cover in time, or having a practical balance of protection and mobility that can keep you from being shot in the first place?
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