FORT COLLINS, CO, August 30, 2026 – Angel Armor launches the RISE® Plate Carrier, a purpose-built tactical armor platform designed for SWAT teams, tactical law enforcement personnel and high-risk response environments. The new carrier officially debuts at the NTOA Conference in Booth 515, where it will be a primary product focus for Angel Armor throughout the show.

The RISE® Plate Carrier was developed around a challenge tactical operators have faced for years: getting the coverage they need without sacrificing mobility. Traditional plate carriers prioritize a lightweight, streamlined profile but can lack coverage and scalability, while full-coverage tactical vest systems provide enhanced protection at the cost of added bulk and reduced mobility.

Most operators have simply had to work around that tradeoff, until now. The RISE® Plate Carrier was designed to bridge the gap, extending coverage where traditional plate carriers fall short, while preserving the agility and mission adaptability that operators demand. 

“I’m incredibly proud that our team pushed past conventional limits to redefine what a plate carrier can do” said Nate Mooers, Lead Designer at Angel Armor. “Law enforcement shouldn’t have to choose between mobility and survival. We designed the DefendCore™ Belt System to eliminate that trade-off entirely. By combining load-bearing agility with high-threat ballistic protection, DefendCore™ delivers a mission-ready carrier that moves dynamically with the body without compromising coverage.”

At the heart of its engineering is the DefendCore™ Belt System. The patent-pending system wraps 360° front-to-back protection around the operator’s core through a modular overlapping armored belt. A canted rear belt feature elevates the back rifle plate toward the upper back, pushing protection toward the trap line, while side rifle plate integration expands coverage further for missions that call for it. The result is genuine protection across the core without the bulk or restricted movement that has historically come with it.

“The plate carrier is super comfortable compared to other plate carriers I have used over the last 12 years and extremely lightweight,” said a Colorado SWAT Deputy who has worn the RISE® Plate Carrier in the field. “While moving, it is comfortable and flexes with the body. The overlapping side soft armor feels great and provides extra protection. I am super impressed.”

The RISE® Plate Carrier is the latest addition to the RISE® Body Armor System, expanding the company’s versatile protection platform built to match the current mission and the next.

September 1, 2026 – LA VERNE, CALIF. — PROJECT 7 Armor is proud to announce the release of the ICON Multi-Mission Vest, its newest tactical armor platform and the most versatile system in the PROJECT 7 lineup. Developed in response to real-world feedback from law enforcement and military professionals, ICON was created for operators whose assignments and threat profiles can change from one mission to the next.

Rather than requiring separate armor platforms for concealed, patrol, plate-rack, and tactical entry applications, ICON brings those capabilities into a single, highly configurable system. It can be worn streamlined for daily operations, configured for concealed or Class A wear by transferring its soft ballistic panels into an optional internal carrier, or scaled with rifle plates and additional ballistic protection for tactical entry.

Key ICON features include:

• Removable internal ballistic yoke for added protection while maintaining a close-to-body, lower-profile fit

• Adjustable shoulder system designed to accommodate clothing layers, seasonal gear, and changes in operator fit

• Optional internal concealable carrier allowing ICON soft armor to be worn beneath clothing or a Class A uniform

• P7 STIK™ Removable Rifle Retention System, utilizing rigid Kydex to stabilize the rifle securely against the platform

• Gap protection at the cummerbund and compatibility with P7’sfull suite of ballistic accessories provide added coverage for high-risk entry operations

“ICON came directly out of conversations with operators whose jobs don’t stay in one lane,” said Jon Becker, CEO of PROJECT 7 Armor. “An operator may be working patrol one day, a task force assignment the next, and a tactical operation after that. We wanted to create a platform that could move with that operator instead of forcing them to move between completely different armor systems. ICON gives them the ability to tailor protection, loadout, and profile to what the mission actually requires.”

Designed Around the Operator

ICON also expands the level of fit and adaptability available within the PROJECT 7 armor line, offering the widest range of sizing and scaling options of any P7 platform. Multiple cummerbund, ballistic package, loadout, MOLLE/PALS, liner, and accessory configurations allow agencies to tailor ICON to individual operators and specific mission requirements. The result is a highly wearable, entry-capable armor platform built to scale across a broad range of operational needs.

Availability

The PROJECT 7 ICON Multi-Mission Vest is available for agency purchase exclusively through AARDVARK, PROJECT 7 Armor’s sole-source distributor. Law enforcement and military agencies can configure their platform and request a quote through project7armor.com or aardvarktactical.com.