Body armor

Body armor or body armour is a protective clothing designed to absorb or deflect physical attacks. Historically used to protect military personnel, today it is also used by various types of police (riot police in particular), private security guards or bodyguards, and occasionally ordinary civilians. Today there are two main types: regular non-plated body armor for moderate to substantial protection, and hard-plate reinforced body armor for maximum protection, such as used by combat soldiers.

History

The use of body armor can be traced back to antiquity. The Roman Empire and Middle Ages saw the use of body armor, particularly in military context. The development of firearms in the 16th century changed the way wars were fought and also the way body armor was made, with the focus shifting from complete metal suits, to smaller pieces designed to protect against bullets.

Modern Body Armor

Modern body armor comes in many shapes and forms. Protective vests are used by police, security forces and the military, designed to protect against bullets and shrapnel. The highest level of body armor can resist piercing attacks of military rifles.

Types of Body Armor

There are two main types of body armor: soft and hard-shell. Soft body armor is made of special materials that can absorb the impact of a bullet or other projectiles. Hard-shell body armor is made of metal or ceramic plates that can withstand even the most serious of impacts.

Materials Used

The materials used in body armor have evolved over the years. Early body armor was made of animal skins. Later, chain mail was used, followed by plate armor. Modern body armor is made from materials such as Kevlar, Spectra Shield, or Dyneema, which are all materials that have high tensile strength and can absorb a lot of energy.

Testing and Standards

Body armor is tested rigorously to ensure it meets the level of protection it is designed for. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in the United States is the main testing organization for body armor used by police forces and rates body armor by levels of protection: Level IIA, II, IIIA, III, and IV.

See Also

• Bulletproof vest
• Ballistic vest
• Plate carrier