http://www.bodyarmornews.comThe world's pre-eminent destination for body armor news and information. This website is the most comprehensive and valuable online body armor source for professionals. You will find the latest news from the body armor industry and everything you need to know about bullet proof vests.en-usCopyright (C) 2010 bodyarmornews.comAll police officers at Nicholls State University have been issued custom-fitted body armor vests.Craig Jaccuzzo, director of university police, says the recent shooting of a campus officer at Virginia Tech was a wake-up call. He says all police officers - no matter their jurisdiction - need "proper protection."The vests were distributed Monday.Jaccuzzo says that in his 23 years with various law enforcement agencies, he was never issued such quality equipment. He says previous vests were cumbersome and uncomfortable and they had to pay for them from their own pocket. He says he's grateful his officers will get state-of-the-art armor procured by the university.Manufactured by Second Chance Body Armor, the "Type IIIA" vests cost $687 each and were purchased from Lafayette-based Barney's Police Supplies.http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/Nicholls-State-police-get-body-armor.htmWed, 16 May 2012 15:55:01 +0200When it comes to body armor, the Marine Corps should be willing to accept more risk in exchange for cutting weight and improving the mobility and speed of those who wear it in combat, according to a top civilian official who oversees research and development of the service’s next-generation equipment. Today’s armor requirement is overkill, said George Solhan, the Office of Naval Research’s deputy chief researcher for expeditionary maneuver warfare, during a gathering of defense industry representatives and Marine leadership held here in May. “We have requirements that vests stop 7.62mm rounds at muzzle velocity,” Solhan said. “If somebody shoots me that close, I could gut him with a knife.” Most shots fired on Marines are made from a considerable distance. Additionally, there is no need for flak vests to be able to stop multiple .30-caliber armor-piercing rifle rounds at close range, as requirements dictate, he said. Marines seldom need that much protection so requirements should put more emphasis on constraining weight. “It is dumb to have a requirement to stop armor piercing ammunition at muzzle velocity, and for multiple hits, when the probability of encountering that is almost zero. The probability of working your ass off and becoming fatigued and injury-prone and totally angered by the amount of weight you carry is 100 percent,” Solhan told Marine Corps Times in an interview May 3. Solhan’s no-nonsense comments jibe nicely with the theme for this year’s industry briefing by Marine Corps Systems Command and the Program Executive Officer of Land Systems: “Lighten the MAGTF,” or Marine air-ground task force. That includes efforts to cut weight from big trucks down to the personal protective equipment grunts carry into battle, officials said during the conference. Strides already have been made to lighten the body armor Marines carry. In Iraq, where most operations were vehicle-mounted, commanders called for heavy vests, with side plates and collars, to protect troops from the shrapnel sprayed by improvised explosives. But in Afghanistan, a country with much less infrastructure than Iraq, Marines are more often than not on foot in searing heat, prompting calls for a streamlined flak vest. In answer to those requests, MARCORSYSCOM developed and fielded first the Scalable Plate Carrier and now the improved USMC Plate Carrier. Thousands of the latter already are downrange. A minimalist piece of gear that holds protective plates, it provides less fragmentation protection overall, but is well suited for hot environments. That is highly desirable in environments where the primary threat is from small-arms fire, the Marine Corps’ former program manager for infantry combat equipment, Lt. Col. Kevin Reilly, told Marine Corps Times earlier this year. Solhan’s office continues to study new fabrics and ceramic materials that will offer even lighter protection, but these materials have been pushed nearly to the limit, Solhan said. Defense industry researchers are looking at the prospects for “liquid body armor,” which uses shear thickening fluid to halt projectiles. These vests are flexible, but when hit with a high-velocity force the molecules compress almost instantly and transform into a semi-solid capable of stopping some rounds and fragmentation. However, Solhan highly doubts this emerging technology would be practical or defeat armor-piercing rounds. The only way to save significant weight is to pare down the level of protection, giving commanders modular systems and the discretion to tailor the level of protection to each mission, Solhan said. Speed is a key part of survivability. Slow-moving Marines, overburdened by heavy armor, become easy targets. “Today we have such a risk aversion to casualties that battalion commanders, company commanders, platoon leaders all feel it is way too heavy, but they don’t have the option to take this stuff off because they will get in trouble if somebody gets hurt,” he said. “How many casualties do you take because you are too fatigued or too slow, or you are like a turtle on its back? That is significant. “A real warrior,” he said, “would like to go to combat with a weapon, a loin cloth and a light coat of oil.” His point is this: Body armor should protect hands, elbows, knees, and vital body parts, but preserve mobility. The Marine Corps’ requirements need to reflect that, Solhan said — not ballistic capabilities alone.http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/Researcher-rips-USMC-body armor-requirement.htmWed, 09 May 2012 15:54:55 +0200Six Drug Task Force officers involved in a deadly April 12 shoot-out were wearing bullet-resistant vests, and two of them were critically injured by bullets that hit above the necklines of those vests, said Associate Attorney General Jane Young. Most bullet-resistant vests have the same neckline, said Tim Sanborn of Rye, who has sold body armor for law enforcement and undergone ballistics training. The exceptions, Sanborn said, are tactical vests, which have throat protectors and are worn by members of Special Weapons and Tactics teams. The DTF officers were at the 517 Post Road residence of Cullen Mutrie on April 12 with a warrant, as part of an investigation into the alleged sales of oxycodone, Young said. After Mutrie didn't respond to initial attempts at contact by local police officers, the DTF officers "breached" Mutrie's front door and were met with gunfire, the attorney general said."Throat protectors and helmets are standard gear for SWAT teams," he said. "But you wouldn't think you'd need a tactical vest and helmet to serve a search warrant in Greenland, New Hampshire." Four DTF officers were shot in an initial series of gunshots, then Greenland Police Chief Michael Maloney was killed by a subsequent shot fired from a front basement window, Young said. Two of the four DTF officers — detective Scott Kukesh of the Newmarket Police Department and detective Jeremiah Murphy of the Rochester Police Department — were hospitalized in intensive care for several days before being released. Young said Wednesday she didn't know what kind of vests the DTF officers were wearing April 12 because her office hasn't completed its investigation into Maloney's death, the shootings of the four officers and the suspected murder-suicide of Mutrie and his alleged drug-dealing accomplice, Brittany Tibbetts. "Until we've talked to everybody, I can't answer that," said Young, who confirmed the two seriously injured officers were shot in the areas above their vests and below their necks. Sanborn said he demonstrated different types of body armor at the University of New Hampshire to 100 local law enforcement members. He said he has also worked with training and procurement officers representing most area police departments, including those that employ the DTF officers injured during the Greenland shoot-out. UNH police tested SWAT gear for two months, and Portsmouth police tried prototype bullet-resistant vests with chest cups for female officers, he said. Most of the vests are customized to fit a specific officer and some have adjustable shoulder straps, Sanborn said. Concealable vests, worn by most members of law enforcement, have the same necklines because the vests have a tendency to ride up when an officer sits down, Sanborn said. Large stomachs also cause the vests to rise, he said. Sanborn said he marketed new vests made with a substitute for Kevlar to leaders of local police departments, including to the late Maloney. He said the Greenland chief was interested in the new technology, but didn't have the money in his budget at the time and wasn't eligible for a federal grant that pays half the costs for police departments to buy body armor every five years. The attorney general's office said Maloney died from a gunshot wound to the head.http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/limitations-of-bullet-proof vests.htmSat, 05 May 2012 14:51:22 +0200POMPANO BEACH, Fla., April 26, 2012 - Point Blank Enterprises, Inc., the worldwide leader in the production of bullet proof vests and related protective solutions, today announced that it has been awarded a firm-fixed price contract from the Defense Logistics Agency ("DLA") to provide Improved Outer Tactical Vest and Outer Tactical Vest components to support U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force personnel. This contract has a maximum value of $119.9 million and the Company expects the first year's value to be approximately $50 million with three, one-year option awards thereafter. Commenting on this latest award, Jim Henderson, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We continue to receive large volume orders from the U.S. Military and Government given our past proven performance, our ability to produce high volume quality products on time, and for our never-ending commitment to innovation and safety. We are proud to be a chosen supplier to the U.S. Government and it's with great pride that we continue to produce life-saving products for America's servicemen and women."http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/point-blank-new-contract-2012.htmThu, 26 Apr 2012 17:44:27 +0200The market for service providers in Homeland Security has become one of the largest business opportunities in recent times. The Washington Post in 2010 estimated ‘The Homeland Security business opportunities over the next decade in India alone are in excess of $1 trillion'. For Asia overall that assessment can easily be tripled. As the driver of the world economy, Asia has new and complex security requirements, which bring with them fresh challenges, as well as fresh opportunities. Asian Homeland Security is a current and imperative issue being discussed globally by governments, academics and business communities alike. This exclusive 3 day Summit, hosted in London, will offer attendees a unique insight into the varied needs and challenges faced by the Indian Subcontinent, Russia and Central Asian states, the Gulf and Middle East, and South East and East Asia, in the area of homeland security and counter terrorism. It will address their individual and distinct mind-sets and cultural/political and commercial concerns, and place them within a global perspective. Asia is emerging as the centre for growth in the 21st century and in its wake this brings disparity, as the underdeveloped world progresses into a developed economy. This requires a huge transition in the homeland security space, from mere policing through to law enforcement and counter terror operations. Securing Asia 2012 will see over 600 suppliers and buyers come together to participate in a high level Conference and Exhibition with bespoke matchmaking opportunities and facilitated one-to-one meetings, dedicated to connecting Western Security technology providers with senior Government representatives, industry, consultants and distributors from across Asia. The event will serve as the meeting ground for innovative technologies and some of the world’s leading security experts. With a focus towards the tough and demanding Asian market, this Summit will give an in-depth insight into the current situation and emerging security needs of Asian countries. Understanding the procurement process is key to doing successful business in this nascent market, and will be a key theme of Securing Asia 2012. Procurement in the Asian Homeland Security sector can be complex, often involving a labyrinth of fragmented federal and provincial agencies split across police, paramilitary, government, private and public infrastructure stakeholder groups. Therefore Securing Asia 2012 will host various provincial and federal agencies from across Asia concerned with homeland security in order to clarify the process and assist in an understanding of legally and ethically compliant practices. In all areas, political, academic and commercial, Securing Asia will provide an arena for a comprehensive expert dissection of Asia’s Homeland Security and Counter Terror challenges, needs, and opportunities in the new age. About Securing AsiaSecuring Asia 2012 is a first of its kind initiative. A unique opportunity for the Asian Security sector to interact in a neutral forum with Western solution providers of all sizes from prime contractors to SMEs, Securing Asia 2012 will host Government delegates, renowned academics and leading businessmen for a unique three day intelligence, technology and trade Summit. Venue: Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London   Dates: 25th -27th June 2012http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/securing_asia_2012.htmFri, 20 Apr 2012 10:40:55 +0200Body armor worn by police officers and soldiers offers a degree of protection, but there are still areas of vulnerability around limbs to allow them to move freely. A professor at the University of South Florida (USF) is working on technology that may fill in those gaps.Dr. Craig Lusk, assistant professor at mechanical engineering at USF, has been working with shape shifting surfaces -- tiled arrays of polygonal cells, each cell consisting of compliant flexures attached to thin, overlapping plates or shells.Lusk says that the best way to describe shape-shifting surfaces is to imagine a spring and a square. "Think of a spring flattened, he says. "I manipulate it so I can determine the shape when I pull on it. Then I connect some plates to them. I have layers of plates that slide across each other and move in interesting ways."They don’t move unless you push on them. A square remains a square until you push on it. Imagine you squish it together to make an overlapping square, which can expand or contract. It can go from square to diamond shape held by the springs. It’s still very strong but it’s flexible enough to accommodate any shape I want to make it into."Lusk says shape shifting surfaces hold promise for body armor. "The idea I’m going for with all this is to make these complicated surfaces work as barriers in one direction but that are flexible in another -- they can move and protect at the same time, like armor. I would love to have these arranged so they can protect better body protection for our police and soldiers." In addition to developing shape shifting surfaces for body armor, Lusk is working with another USF faculty member, Dr. Tom Weller of USF's department of electrical engineering, to develop flexible antennas using his shape-shifting technology. "There's a lot of freedom in the university setting. It's fun to have the opportunity to pursue my own creative ideas and see them come to fruition. They’ve done very well with patenting and licensing. They’re very supportive on that side of things."http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/Researcher-Reworks-Body-Armor.htmTue, 17 Apr 2012 16:29:02 +0200There's been a lot of controversy surrounding bulletproof vests ever since a Phoenix officer was shot in his lower left hip. He was wearing a vest, but the bullet went right through. A new liquid armor which hasn't hit the market yet is supposed to give Kevlar body armor an added level of protection. Phoenix Officer Anthony Daley was shot and injured while out on a trespassing call in November. The bullet went right through the Kevlar vest he was wearing. "It's not the first time law enforcement has had concerns about ballistic vest safety and reliability," said Joe Clure with the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. He asked a third party lab to test that vest model that Daley was wearing. The vest failed. "We have replaced all the vests or have identified, we believe, all the people who have them," Clure said. But a company called BAE Systems is using a liquid technology that, theoretically, would make any Kevlar vest stronger. You would treat the Kevlar with the liquid armor; when you add force, the particles in the liquid collide, forming a solid barrier that absorbs the impact. "I can see where it would have a lot of law enforcement application," Clure said. You can use corn starch and water to get a similar effect. Once you stir completely, the solution retains a liquid form. But if you apply force, by hitting the solution with a spoon, for example, it becomes a solid, much like the liquid armor would. Clure tells us Kevlar vests are very stiff and hard to move in. "That's where I think this new technology will be benefit, it makes it lighter and certainly more pliable," Clure said. The liquid armor is supposed to be 45 percent thinner than your average Kevlar vest, which would come in handy in our grueling summers. But Clure says he's not getting too excited yet until he sees some field tests. "I'm sure all law enforcement will be watching to see what happens with this," he said.http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/liquid-body-armor-reality-2.htmMon, 16 Apr 2012 15:18:42 +0200Warrior Trail Consulting, LLC unveils its newest innovation in military training armor by announcing a line of non-ballistic body armor plates, providing a unique addition to the military training and technology community. These U.S. manufactured products provide low-cost training alternatives that can potentially save military services millions of dollars by avoiding damage and wear to expensive ballistic body armor plates. Warrior Trail’s non-ballistic body armor plates match the size, shape, weight and rigidity of the Interceptor Ballistic Armor (IBA) style plates used by U.S. military forces worldwide. Each Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (E-SAPI) and Enhanced Side Ballistic Insert (ESBI) training plate is manufactured from rigid PVC material that is impervious to damage by impact, shock, water, mud, fuels or other contaminants. Plates can be easily washed and reused indefinitely. “We are excited to bring these new, low-cost E-SAPI and ESBI training products to the market at a time when budget constraints demand new technologies and increased efficiencies,” said Della Bronstein, CEO of Warrior Trail Consulting, LLC. “Warrior Trail’s training plates will enable military units to train like they fight — and at a fraction of their former costs.” Warrior Trail training plates are indistinguishable from the IBA style ballistic plates when worn in Outer Tactical Vests (OTVs) or plate carriers during training. Yet, these new training plates are inexpensive, generally costing less than one-tenth the price of ballistic armor. The high cost of technical inspections required to detect and repair damaged ballistic plates is avoided. Other costs associated with acquiring, maintaining, and disposing of sensitive items are completely eliminated. Warrior Trail training body armor is ideally suited for basic and advanced combat training, ROTC, non-commissioned and officer training schools, service academies and special operations units. About Warrior Trail Consulting, LLC: Founded in 2008, Warrior Trail Consulting has manufactured thousands of non-ballistic training SAPI plates for use in IBA-style OTVs. Their new non-ballistic E-SAPI and ESBI training products are unique to the marketplace. All Warrior Trail training body armor products are U.S. patent pending, manufactured in the United States and available for purchase in sizes small, medium and large. http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/dummy_body_armor.htmThu, 12 Apr 2012 15:10:29 +0200Visiongain’s analysis indicates that the global military body armour and personal protective gear market will be worth $1.07 billion in 2012. “The Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Gear Market 2012-2022” report finds that spending on military protective gear and body armour, despite pressure in the form of defence cuts from many predominant military nations, will remain central to defence budgets worldwide. The visiongain author of “The Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Gear Market 2012-2022” report commented that: “Spending by militaries worldwide on body armour will remain a fundamental aspect of defence budgets for years to come, as despite budgetary pressures affecting many Western nations at present, an underlying desire and responsibility to provide the best protection to military personnel will spur demand for new and advanced equipment”. The report contains 100 tables, charts and figures that quantify and forecast the military body armour & personal protective gear market. Visiongain provides forecasts for the period 2012-2022 in terms of value (US$) for the military body armour & personal protective gear market 2012-2022, as well as for 3 submarkets and 12 leading national military body armour & personal protective gear markets. The report provides profiles of 20 leading companies operating within the market, and includes 3 interviews with experts in the field military body armour, providing specialist insight alongside visiongain analysis. “The Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Gear Market 2012-2022” report will be of value to current and future potential investors in the field of body armour, as well as companies and research centres who wish to broaden their knowledge of the military body armour & personal protective gear market. For sample pages and further information concerning the visiongain report “The Military Body Armour & Personal Protective Gear Market 2012-2022” please visit:http://www.visiongain.com/Report/794/The-Military-Body-Armour-Personal-Protective-Gear-Market-2012-2022 Company or Organisation Portrait:Visiongain is one of the fastest growing and most innovative independent business intelligence companies in Europe. Based in London, UK, visiongain produces a host of business-2-business conferences, newsletters and management reports focusing on the Energy, Telecoms, Pharmaceuticals, Defence, Aviation and Materials sectors.Visiongain publishes reports produced by its in-house analysts, who are qualified experts in their field. Visiongain has firmly established itself as the first port-of-call for the business professional, who needs independent, high quality, original material to rely and depend on.http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/Military-Body-Armour-Market.htmTue, 03 Apr 2012 11:12:56 +0200IWA and OutdoorClassics is one of the most professionally organized target sports and outdoor activities sector trade shows in Germany. The show serves as an ideal business interaction podium for experienced professional executives from the outdoor equipments and gun industry and is attended by more than 35,220 visitors on a regular basis. http://www.bodyarmornews.com/body-armor-news/body-armor-iwa.htmMon, 26 Mar 2012 23:28:25 +0200