In today’s modern warfare, there is an increased need for an effective Hard Armor. After all, the combat conditions can evolve.
And sometimes the tactical state of the battlefield may require hard armor for the operators. However, with so many different gear options on the market, it is imperative to select the proper Armor option. Therefore, this article will provide some strategic information about what is the best hard armor option for today’s modern combat setting.
Types of Hard Armor Options
There are three different concepts of hard plates design. The Steel one, the Ceramic ones and the Polyethylene. Each of these types can offer a broad spectrum of tactical benefits and different features.
Comparison Analysis
The steel plates concept has a long history of commercial use. The reason behind that is the simplicity and effectiveness to stop several types of rounds and projectiles. The design advantage is that the hardness of the steel plates fractures the incoming round. However, it is important to be aware that the steel plates might not be the best option for today’s modern combat setting. This is based on the fact that steel plates can cause excessive spall which is bullet fragmentation as a result of the impact on the steel plates. The negative domino effect is that can cause fragmentation injuries.
Also, this model is heavy with an average weight of 9 pounds. That can have a negative impact on the tactical mobility of the operators. And the slowing down can be a disadvantage in certain operations.
The ceramic plates are another option for hard armor. The ceramic plate is causing the bullet to decrease its impact energy levels and breaks up the projectile. However, the potential negative aspect is that the ceramic breaks up upon impact. Therefore, the affected area from bullet impact may be vulnerable to penetration from additional projectiles. Some sophisticated models can neutralize several rounds but that does not apply for every ceramic plate. The average weighing of ceramic plates is from 4 to 8 pounds for a 10Ă—12 piece.
A Revolutionary Innovation
Yet, the most effective hard armor plates are made of Polyethylene which is a thermoplastic. Moreover, these unique plates are made by combining unidirectional UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) fibers over an HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) sheet.
The manufacturing process also includes compression under high heat pressure which creates a strong and cohesive hard armor plate. The Polyethylene plates are effective due to the friction caused by the spin of a bullet. In simple words, the polyethylene melts and absorbs the bullet. As the projectile is stopped, the polyethylene cools down and reinstates its original hard shape. Compared to the other two types, the polyethylene is significantly lighter and can weight up to 5lb the most. One notable product that represents a revolutionary innovation is the Ballistic UHMW-PE Plate 10×12 by Prime Armor.
Moreover, this Polyethylene Body Armor is been tested as per the NIJ 0101.06 standards, and it is multi-hit capable. The design also includes “back site impact padding” which is added to reduce the amount of energy transfer to your body. Therefore, this water-resistant Hard Armor’s Ballistic UHMW-PE Plate 10×12 is effective in reducing the projectile energy felt through your armor.
The Bottom Line
All in all, it is crucial to opt for affordable, comfortable, and high performing body armor. And Prime Armor Ballistic UHMW-PE plates fills the body perfectly.