NCJ Number
26423
Journal
PWC BULLETIN Volume: 74 Issue: 6 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 4-6
Date Published
1974
Length
3 pages
Annotation
FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OF EFFECTIVE AND WEARABLE BODY ARMOR ARE OUTLINED, AND THE ADVANTAGES OF SOFT BODY ARMOR MADE OF KEVLAR 29, A NEW SYNTHETIC MATERIAL, ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IN 1972, LEAA THROUGH ITS CONTRACTOR, THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION, BEGAN TO DEVELOP AND TEST AN EFFECTIVE, COMFORTABLE BALLISTIC-RESISTANT GARMENT THAT WOULD PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST MOST HANDGUN THREATS AND STILL BE CAPABLE OF WEAR FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME UNDER A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS. THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION EVALUATION DETERMINED THAT POLICE BODY ARMOR SHOULD PREVENT TOTAL PENETRATION ALL BULLETS FIRED FROM COMMON HANDGUNS; THAT ANY BLUNT TRAUMA EFFECTS REQUIRING SURGICAL REPAIR SHOULD PERMIT A SURVIVABILITY OF GREATER THAN 90 PERCENT; AND THAT AN ADULT MALE WEARING THE GARMENT SHOULD BE ABLE TO WALK AWAY AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE ABDOMEN. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ACHIEVEMENT OF A LIGHTWEIGHT, INCONSPICUOUS, CONTINUOUS WEAR GARMENT COULD BEST BE ACHIEVED BY USE OF SOFT ARMOR. IT IS NOTED THAT THE LATEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE FIBER FOR SOFT ARMOR IS KEVLAR 29. THE CHARACTERISTIC WHICH MAKES KEVLAR 29 SO ATTRACTIVE IS ITS REMARKABLY HIGH STRENGTH-TO-WEIGHT RATIO. IN TENSION, IT HAS A STRENGTH GREATER THAN THAT OF STEEL, YET IT IS LIGHTER THAN NYLON. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT KEVLAR-29 HAS ENABLED THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE OF THEIR BODY ARMOR PROGRAM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)