TB
Close Protection Operatives have to deal with a wide range of threats that many others who utilise body armor do not. Any number of situations may arise, and the threats present in escorting a despised business leader vary greatly to dealing with mobs of fans intent on touching a celebrity for example. If nothing else, the threat of long or close range attacks is one many other professions may not have to consider, and it is just as likely that protection is needed against firearms as well as knives and other edged weapons. However, as manufacturers and producers of materials strive to improve their products, they have made a number of innovations over the past several years that have directly improved the protection available for Close Protection Operatives, in particular their efforts to make armor lighter and thinner.
Improving the Armor
Thinner Armor
The majority of bullet proof vests use DuPont Kevlar in their plates, because of its high tensile strength and ability to displace the energy of a bullet. However, the bullet proof plates of these vests require multiple layers of Kevlar to make them bullet proof, which naturally increases the weight. Increasing the strength and energy displacement of the fibers can allow the same level of plates to be made with fewer layers, decreasing the weight. This is obviously of great benefit to the Security Operative, who needs to be able to move freely and not be hindered by his or her vest. Most manufacturers of materials used in body armor, like DuPont, are now boasting a dramatic reduction in the weight of their materials, allowing vests to be much thinner and lighter.
Lighter Armor
This is especially helpful for the harder armor plates some Close Protection Operatives will have to wear. To protect against higher caliber ammunition, from rifles for example, solid plates of steel, ceramic or titanium can be inserted into the carrier. However, this comes with significant weight, and so research into making these plates lighter can again increase the movement of Close Protection Operatives. Manufacturers of body armor have designed thinner and lighter armors with the same grade protection, which is ideal for covert Close Protection. Another area of development has been in making these lighter and thinner armors multi-threat, providing increased protection at the same weight.
Improving the Carrier
The nature of Close Protection requires constant covert protection, and no matter how long the shift protection is still paramount. Many of the deaths among police officers for example occur when the officer doesn’t wear the vest, usually because it is hot and uncomfortable. Efforts have already gone into making the armor itself lighter and thinner, but that means nothing when the carrier (the vest that holds the panels) is uncomfortable. This is why manufacturers of body armor have started to develop new breathable materials to keep the wearer cool by dispersing heat across the armor. This is very important when bullet proof vests are being worn close to the skin. SafeGuard Armor is the only manufacturer of bullet resistant vests that incorporate CoolMax technology to control the temperature of the wearer- vital when any distraction can mean the difference between life and death. Adjustable Velcro straps, custom cuts of fabric and new designs are all improvements that have been made by manufacturers with temperature and comfort in mind. There have also been developments in supplementary products designed to fit with body armor to improve airflow and comfort, even providing small hand pumps for manual circulation of air around the wearer’s body. Some companies have also designed carriers made to look like other articles of clothing; waistcoats and suit jackets can all be made from bullet proof materials are with inserts for armor plate.
Body Armor is constantly being made thinner, lighter and more comfortable, for many different reasons. It can reduce cost, increase efficiency, but primarily it provides a better product. The ideal bullet proof vest is one that can be worn with little to no effort, and almost feels like it isn’t there at all. For the Close Protection industry a vest you can forget about is ideal, allowing the Operative to move and work with maximum comfort, safe in the knowledge that should the situation call for it, you are completely yet discretely protected.
About Tom Bowman
Tom has written a number of articles for SafeGuard. He uses his knowledge and expertise in ballistics and body armor to inform people in a number of professions.