Dropping 27 April, Lindnerhof Taktik’s lightest Plate carrier yet. The MX224 Uktralight Plate Carrier features their proprietary MX material, a laser cut multiaxial laminate which is paired with their patented hook buckle.
Archive for the ‘Armor’ Category
Sneak Peek – Lindnerhof Taktik MX224 Uktralight Plate Carrier
Tuesday, April 26th, 2022DEVCOM Soldier Center Seeks to Improve Body Armor for Women
Tuesday, April 26th, 2022
NATICK, Mass. — Researchers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or DEVCOM SC, have developed a body armor questionnaire to help improve body armor for female users specifically and for all body armor users in general.
The researchers at DEVCOM SC — who are longtime experts in Soldier protection, human factors and gathering/analyzing Soldier input — are investigating body armor fit and related issues, and how those issues impact the ability of users to perform their mission.
Participation from current and past users of body armor will provide researchers with insight into user needs and ways to make improvements. Data will be collected from a questionnaire completed by eligible individuals.
The questionnaire is part of DEVCOM SC’s larger effort to support the Female Body Armor Modernization Act. In support of the act, DEVCOM SC is investigating and developing body armor system improvements specifically focused on women as well as improvements that will benefit both male and female Soldiers. DEVCOM SC’s Applied Ergonomics Team and the Consumer Research Team, both part of DEVCOM SC’s Soldier Effectiveness Directorate, have worked together to develop the questionnaire.
Blake Mitchell, team leader of the Applied Ergonomics Team and lead for the Anthropometric Study for the Female Body Armor Modernization program, explained that the questionnaire will help “to identify the predominant fit and performance issues, as well as the body armor system sizing and issuance process experienced by women in the Army.”
Mitchell explained that the questionnaire goes into considerable depth in its attempt to identify what the primary issues are in a way that can allow for design improvements. The questionnaire gives participants the means to identify ways they are not fully protected, any discomfort they experience — both short or long term — and how issues with fit may impede their ability to do their job.
“We want potential participants to understand the importance of completing this survey, because it takes time to answer all questions honestly and thoroughly, particularly for those who have more experience with body armor,” said Wendy Johnson, a research psychologist on the Consumer Research Team. “In order to make the survey more convenient and to accommodate their schedules, participants have up to seven days to complete the survey once they begin.”
The questionnaire is aimed at women in the Army, but all genders are welcome to respond. The research team hopes to use data from male respondents to better understand their general fit and performance issues. Researchers are also interested in gathering opinions of body armor users from the National Guard and the Reserves, as well as individuals who have recently separated from the military.
“We hope to elicit responses from a wide variety of mission areas across the military – from people that only have to wear body armor occasionally to those that wear it day and night for extended periods of time,” said Mitchell. “Having data from a broad array of users will allow us more power in how we understand and interpret the data, and aid in the better design of future systems to accommodate a broader range of the user population.”
The questionnaire asks respondents relevant questions about their body shape and size, as well as their experiences with, and performance impacts due to, body armor use. In addition to identifying the specific body armor elements that need to be improved, researchers also hope to find out what is working well.
“Researchers will summarize the information derived from this questionnaire and will make it available to designers, manufacturers and acquisition personnel,” said Mitchell. “Key issues will be grouped based on demographic and anthropometric descriptors to lead to a better understanding of how to improve fit and performance.”
As part of their larger effort to improve female body armor, DEVCOM SC researchers are also using data from the 2012 Anthropometric Survey, or ANSUR II, to better understand the size and shape of women who make up the U.S. Army. ANSUR II includes direct measurements and three-dimensional whole-body scans. ANSUR II was executed by DEVCOM SC and is one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive anthropometric surveys. It provides invaluable data that aids the design and optimization of a wide range of products.
The body armor questionnaire is part of DEVCOM SC’s ongoing emphasis on Soldier input as a key component in all research and product development.
“The Soldier Center wants to ensure that all of the products we support meet the requirements of all Soldiers so they can complete their mission and do their job without creating unneeded or additional burdens for them,” said Mitchell. “This questionnaire will provide specific information on Soldier’s preferences and experiences for body armor in their own voice.”
Data gathered from DEVCOM SC’s questionnaire will be used to improve future body armor development efforts for the Army. Navy body armor designers and project officers have also expressed interest in the results and have requested information and summary data on female Sailors who have experience with certain Navy body armor systems, as responses from other services are also being collected. The Soldier Center plans to have a summary of results by the end of the fiscal year.
If you are interested in participating in the questionnaire, it is available at online.
By Jane Benson, DEVCOM SC Public Affairs
High Speed Gear Partners with Industry Leaders to Provide Core Plate Carriers
Thursday, April 21st, 2022SWANSBORO, N.C. – April 20, 2022 – High Speed Gear® has delivered thousands of Core™ Plate Carriers over the past several weeks.
High Speed Gear® continues to partner with our customers and industry leaders to keep up with the demand which is ever growing for High Speed Gear Products. HSGI now has 3 operating factories which has allowed the company to produce more volume while maintaining on time deliveries. The company is proud of their strong relationships that have been built with time and trust across the tactical industry and community to provide Battle-Proven Tactical
Gear™ to those who rely on it most. The highly sought after Core™ Plate Carrier provides American-made quality, worry free to human size algorithms with a focus on complementing plate/type sizing. If you are looking to source plate carriers, universal magazine pouches and medical pouches, please contact High Speed Gear at sales@highspeedgear.com.
The Core™ Plate Carrier is a ruggedly-designed, affordable plate carrier built for law enforcement, personal protection or range/training use. With padded shoulder straps and spacer mesh interior, the Core™ is comfortable and low profile. Despite its streamlined design, it remains versatile, sporting adjustability, comfort, plenty of laser-cut MOLLE for scalability, and more.
“The idea of the Core™ Plate Carrier began when we had customers of varying professions and backgrounds asking for a low-profile plate carrier,” said Bill Babboni, HSGI® Chief Operating Officer. “Several different design variations were applied to create the Core™ as we had input from both law enforcement and military members. We wanted to bring all the features possible at this price point, with more accessories coming soon.”
You can watch the official product video for the Core™ at youtu.be/N4ZdOeWwraE.
The Core™ Plate Carrier is available in: Black, Coyote Brown, LE Blue, MultiCam, and OD Green.
For more information or to place an order, please email sales@highspeedgear.com.
Limited Edition Agilite K19 in Multicam Arid
Thursday, April 21st, 2022
Agilite has released a Limited Edition version of the popular K19 Plate Carrier in Multicam Arid. It’s live on their website already but there are very limited quantities available so it’s first-come, first-served.
To see more about what makes the K19 plate Carrier so unique, see the video below:
Premier Body Armor Thermal Regulation Technology in Multiple Armor Systems
Monday, April 4th, 2022GASTONIA, N.C. – April 4, 2022 – Premier Body Armor’s partnership brings unprecedented thermal regulation technology to several armor products. Eclipsys is available in multiple configurations for a wide variety of uses. Eclipsys™ thermal-regulating properties is revolutionizing the body armor industry and Premier Body Armor offers several popular setups.
The full lineup debuted earlier this year at SHOT, and multiple product lines sold out fast. Integration options for Premier Body Armor’s STRATIS rifle rated plates, Every Day Armor T-Shirt, soft armor vests and more are in stock or currently being re-stocked for quick delivery.
The full lineup debuted earlier this year at SHOT, and multiple product lines are currently sold out. The fact that it can be incorporated into any system, is affordable and the performance is unparalleled (reducing heat up to 200%) means options for plates and everyday shirt armor are awaiting re-stocking.
“We haven’t even seen warmer temperatures yet, and people are already seeing how game-changing this really is—especially those who wear armor every day,” said Alex Stewart, President of Premier Body Armor. “Body Armor is very insulative, and until now, there were no thermal regulating options. Eclipsys changes this in a big way and we’re excited about what we’re seeing.
“We are pleased to be making a difference in the lives of our customers. One recent Law enforcement officer left the following review: ‘I used to take my vest off at the end of the day and my shirt was drenched. Now with this attached to my vest, my undershirt is dry.’ We continue to get regular and positive feedback from other happy customers as well.”
Eclipsys utilizes passive cooling which means there are no batteries or wires to break, replace or worry about when it matters most. It is non-flammable, non-toxic and razor thin at 0.42 mm thick (three sheets of paper). All of these features and qualities put Eclipsys in a league of its own. Premier Body Armor is proud to offer it with some of the company’s most popular and heralded products including the Elite Executive Vest and the Discreet Executive Vest.
More information on Eclipsys is available here and interested parties can request an editorial sample by contacting Tim Brandt at the address below.
Media Contact: Tim Brandt, Murray Road Agency
E-Mail: tim.brandt@murrayroadagency.com
Premier Body Armor Responds to Call for Support from Save Our Allies, Donates Body Armor
Saturday, April 2nd, 2022GASTONIA, N.C. – March 29, 2022 – Premier Body Armor saw and heard the request for Body Armor from Save Our Allies and responded immediately. Founder Frank Stewart reached out with an offer that resulted in Save Our Allies personally picking up all armor for their volunteers earlier this month at the Gastonia, North Carolina headquarters of Premier Body Armor.
Premier Body Armor provides Made in the USA complete body armor systems to defend against threats in a violent world. The company is proud to offer everyday solutions to law-abiding citizens, but their ties to the military and directly to efforts like those being seen from Save Our Allies go much deeper.
Before starting Premier Body Armor in 2013, the company spent 20 years engineering and manufacturing armor for tactical vehicles, becoming an industry leader in innovation with the highest benchmark of quality. Customers have included the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the United States Marine Corps (USMC), North American and International OEM’s, private security industry, government agencies and the Department of Defense.
“Save Our Allies has found a select group of American volunteers to provide support and aid to civilians affected by the war in Ukraine,” said Premier Body Armor President Alex Stewart. “These volunteers will each be given a personal kit of our flagship Core Plate Carrier with rifle rated plates. Our mission is and has always been keeping Americans safe and we can’t think of a better opportunity to live that out than with Save Our Allies.”
“Save Our Allies is thankful to Premier Body Armor for embodying the ‘Send Me’ spirit of our team – and people around the world,” said Save Our Allies Co-Founder Sarah Verardo. “Thanks to our friends at Premier Body Armor we are able to distribute items to frontline medical personnel working to overcome terror and tyranny.”
More information on how to help Save Our Allies with their efforts in Ukraine can be found at their website.
Adept Armor Introduces the First Future-Proofed Armor Plate: the Colossus
Monday, March 28th, 2022After years of R&D in ceramic armor materials and systems, Adept Armor proudly announces an armor plate strong enough to counter today’s AP threats, as well as the AP threats of tomorrow, with the new Colossus™ Armor Plate.
Tulsa, Okla. (March 2022) – Adept Armor, an armor system engineering firm, announces the latest evolution in ceramic armor with the Colossus™ Armor Plate offering protective capabilities beyond Level IV or RF3 plates. The Colossus was designed from the ground up using the most advanced materials available to produce the strongest plate in its category, yet weighing significantly less than the average Level IV or RF3 plate at just over six pounds.
The Colossus was built and tested to VPAM 12 with a ballistic rating for 7.62x51mm Swiss P AP (tungsten core) at 810 m/s. VPAM is the European standard for testing and measurement of ballistic materials and products. Additionally, the Colossus is also rated for:
• VPAM 11 – 7.62x51mm M993 (tungsten core) at 940 m/s
• Level IV (RF3) – .30-06 AP M2 at 880 m/s
• Special threats
• 7..62x54mmR Bf32 API at 860 m/s
• 5.56x45mm M995 at 1000 m/s
• 5.45x39mm AP at 880 m/s
• Similar and lesser threats
The US Army X Threat Small Arms Protective insert plate (XSAPI) designed to VPAM 11 was developed to protect the wearer from an “X-Threat,” most likely the M993 7.62 NATO armor-piercing round. Adept Armor’s new Colossus Armor Plate exceeds the protection offered by the XSAPI plates. The Colossus was specifically designed to thwart tungsten-cored small arms threats.
• The multi-curve Colossus is made from advanced SiC-TiB2 ceramic; Vectran®, a hi-tech liquid crystal polymer fiber known for its high-strength, high heat resistance, and low stretch capabilities; and UHMWPE composite in a thermoplastic wrap. The premium-grade thermoplastic foam on the strike-face offers drop protection, and on the body-side, it serves as an integrated trauma pad. Weighing just 6.5 lbs. in the Shooter’s Cut, the Colossus is only 1.13” in thickness.
Adept Armor’s next-gen, future-proofed, edge-to-edge protection ceramic armor plate, the Colossus is available now in a variety of configurations, and ready to meet todays and tomorrow’s threats. MSRP starts at $640.00 for a 10” x 12” unit.
Interested in armor materials, systems, test methods, and current threats? Check out Adept Armor’s incredible knowledgebase of information and glossary. Learn more about Adept Armor on their new website. Receive a FREE bag and patch, as well as the latest news, offers, and promotions from Adept Armor when you sign up for the newsletter.
4-14 Factory Adaptive Plate Carrier
Thursday, March 10th, 2022Italy’s 4-14 Factory is a relatively new company founded by former Italian SOF.
I am quite impressed with their Adaptive Plate Carrier developed based on mission requirements. It is a modular and scalable system which relies on their CAGES system of Tegris panels. These can be preconfigured and attached to the front and back carriers which carry the armor.
The Adaptive Plate Carrier system consists of:
Front Carrier – Made from Durastretch, it accommodates a wide variety of soft and/or hard armor. It presents a slick appearance.
Back Carrier – Made from Durastretch, it accommodates a wide variety of soft and/or hard armor. It presents a slick appearance.
Harness – It can be used in conjunction with the Front Carrier to suspend the weight of armor. Used while parachuting or when a rear plate isn’t warranted.
Front CAGES – Very easy to attach to Front Carrier. Made from Tegris, it can be configured for a variety of loads.
Back CAGES – Very easy to attach to Back Carrier. Made from Tegris, it can be configured for a variety of loads.
MOLLE Front Flap – PALs compatible, we would call it a placard in the US.
The different components can be used together to create the right configuration for different missions.
