Body armour

Body armour is a type of 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 armour for moderate to substantial protection, and hard-plate reinforced body armour for maximum protection, such as used by combat soldiers.

History

The use of body armour has a long history dating back to ancient times. The Romans and Medieval Europeans wore metal armour, while the Japanese samurai wore armour made from leather and silk. The development of firearms in the 16th century changed the nature of body armour, leading to the development of bullet-proof vests.

Modern Body Armour

Modern body armour may combine a ballistic vest with other items of protective clothing, such as a combat helmet. Vests intended for police and military use may also include ballistic shoulder and side protection armor components, and blast protection components.

Ballistic Vest

A ballistic vest or bullet-resistant vest, often called a bulletproof vest, is an item of body armour that helps absorb the impact and reduce or stop penetration to the body from firearm-fired projectiles and shrapnel from explosions.

Hard-Plate Reinforced Body Armour

Hard-plate reinforced body armour is a type of body armour that includes metallic or ceramic plates for additional protection. This type of armour is commonly used by military personnel and special forces.

Effectiveness and Limitations

While body armour can provide a significant level of protection, it is not completely invincible. The effectiveness of body armour is a function of the material used, the quality of the construction, and the thickness of the armour.

See Also

• Bulletproof vest
• Combat helmet
• Riot police
• Protective clothing