Tactical body armor is not a luxury, but a means of security. The question of personal safety has always been and still is relevant not only during wars, but also in situations of mass disorder, in cash collection, security or peacekeeping activities. For this reason, since ancient times and until today, it has been important not only for soldiers and commanders, but also for ordinary inhabitants to protect themselves with protective clothing or weapons capable of minimising vulnerability to weapons.
Competent protection should not only be for the body, but also for other parts of the body. Therefore, there are three main types of protection:
- Ballistic Head Armor (ballistic helmets, side protection);
- Neck, shoulders, and upper limb auxiliary armor;
- Torso Protection (plate carrier, cummerbund armor, stomach module, groin module).
Various decorations or extras (pockets, lacing, etc.) are also possible. A wide variety of models are available on the market today. They offer different types of protection and are designed for different ballistic factors: a caliber and a type of a projectile, impact force, velocity, an angle of impact, etc.
How effective tactical body armor should be?
Based on the principle of modeling, tactical body armor can protect against a variety of general combat hazards and resist criminal assaults in a variety of life situations. Their protective qualities range from versatility to protection against shrapnel, small arms and knives.
A great variety of firearms, bullets and cartridges of different calibers and modifications are in use in the world today. The most “soft” body armor is ineffective against large fragmentation damage and can stop bullets of short-barreled weapons weighing less than 3 grams. For protection against high-velocity bullets, models based on para-aramid fibers, ceramic and metal armor plates and ballistic fabrics are efficient, because such armor models are able not only to stop bullets, but also to considerably minimise the consequences of their kinetic effect.
Tactical body armor can protect not only against bullets and fragmentation of mines and shells, but also against stabbing and cutting weapons and at the same time allow to maintain:
- high maneuverability and speed of movement;
- a normal functional condition;
- an ability to work.
Some people think the higher the level of body armor, the better. However, the weight of the protective equipment is another factor to consider. Military or police officers sometimes must be in a bulletproof vest for long periods of time. You will only be able to run, jump or move fast with such weight after some special training and for a short period of time.
What is the average price of tactical body armor?
The cost of tactical body armor directly depends on the protection level and the composition. You can buy the minimum acceptable kit for protection consisting of a helmet, body armor, and plates. The price of such a kit is approximately $1000. As the effectiveness increases, the price increases accordingly.
How to choose the best tactical body armor?
At first glance, it might seem that plastic and ceramic panels are not up to the task, but this is not the case. The fact is that modern plastics and ceramics are as good as metal in terms of protection. And in addition, they are much lighter, which means they do not weigh down the outfit as much.
So-called sandwich armor packages are often used. They consist of two ballistic plates with a shock-absorbing pad between them. They are good in that they offer excellent protection and are easily repairable. Therefore, only the damaged layer remains to be replaced, which usually costs less.
The entire armored construction is hidden inside the outer cover. It can be said it is designed on the principle of a cape, consisting of a back part and a chest part, connected with straps in the shoulder and waist area. In general, it’s better to choose a MOLLE fastening system and NIJ IV ceramic armor plates.
Who wears tactical body armor?
In addition to soldiers and police officers, tactical body armor is also designed for special forces. With gun violence on the rise, choosing the right protection is more important than ever. Body armor can be crucial when seconds count, as it can save lives in an emergency.
Tactical body armor protects vital organs from damage in combat by deflecting bullets. You must choose your ballistic bullet-proof waistcoat carefully according to the potential threat to ensure the expected effect.