EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROTECTIVE ARMOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM - FINAL REPORT, V 1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• NCJ Number: 19961
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 44 pages
• Grant Number(s): J-LEAA-73-025
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Aerospace Corporation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RESULTS OF THE LEAA-FUNDED DEVELOPMENT OF A LIGHTWEIGHT, INCONSPICUOUS BODY ARMOR FOR PROTECTING LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL.

Abstract

THE OVERALL ACTIVITY INCLUDED IDENTIFYING OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, CONDUCTING BALLISTIC TESTS, ASSESSING A VARIETY OF CANDIDATE MATERIALS, PERFORMING MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS, INVESTIGATING THE MECHANICS OF BULLET PENETRATION, AND SUBJECTING SELECTED MATERIALS TO ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZED DEVELOPMENT OF A NUMBER OF PROTECTIVE GARMENT STYLES, NAMELY, UNDERSHIRTS, SPORT JACKETS, AND UNIFORM COMPONENTS. PROTOTYPE GARMENTS WERE PRODUCED AND SUCCESSFULLY TESTED FOR WEARABILITY. THESE GARMENTS ARE LESS THAN HALF THE WEIGHT OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE NYLON PROTECTIVE GARMENTS AND ARE CAPABLE OF STOPPING A .38 CALIBER BULLET FIRED AT CLOSE RANGE. THE INITIAL TEST RESULTS INDICATE THAT SUCH LIGHTWEIGHT PROTECTIVE GARMENTS CAN BE WORN FOR ROUTINE PATROL OPERATIONS DURING MOST OF THE YEAR. PLANS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED FOR EXTENSIVE FIELD TESTS OF A VARIETY OF THESE GARMENTS UNDER A WIDE RANGE OF FIELD CONDITIONS. SEE NCJ-19962 FOR THE TECHNICAL DISCUSSION OF THIS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)