How Good Is Russian Army Body Armor?

‼️🇺🇦🏴‍☠️The fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to test the body armor of the Russian army and were stunned
The armor plate was shot from a machine gun and a machine gun, including armor-piercing ones.https://t.co/n5oCJ6Ktkr pic.twitter.com/SHsGp5FJIL

— Zlatti71 (@djuric_zlatko) July 20, 2023

WNU Editor: About two months ago I read a survivor account from a Ukrainian soldier saying that even after hitting a Russia soldier with a few rounds he and his platoon still kept on charging and eventually were succesful in driving them out of their fortification. From the above video we now know why. It looks like the Rusian army has some of the best body armor in the world.

New Body Armor For The U.S. Army And Air Force

Pfc. Kimberly Espinoza, with the 82nd Airborne Division, adjusts her second-generation modular scalable vest (MSV) during a fielding event in Fort Bragg, North Carolina conducted by PEO Soldier. (Jason Amadi/Army) 

Army Times: New Army and Air Force body armor gets fielded to the 82nd Airborne Division 

Three brigades with the 82nd Airborne Division began receiving the Army’s newest body armor and plates this past week. 

The Modular Scalable Vest fielding isn’t the first to soldiers — that went to the Security Force Assistance Brigades — but paratroopers are getting new plates with the “shooter’s cut” as well as a range of different sizes and tailorable fits for smaller stature and female soldiers.

The MSV replaces the Improved Outer Tactical Vest, which debuted in 2008.

 The 82nd was prioritized in the MSV fielding due to its Global Response Force mission, said Lt. Col. Stephen Miller, product manager for Soldier Protective Equipment. More Army units are to follow and the Air Force also chose to upgrade their body armor to the MSV. 

The MSV fielding to the division is one year ahead of schedule, he said. An estimated 6,000 soldiers in the division, all close combat forces, are receiving the MSV in the coming weeks. 

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: More details on this new armor are here .... New body armor carrier, plates and female-focused designs headed to soldiers (Army Times).

U.S. Military Is Finally Fielding Body Armor Designed For Women

USA Today: Women in combat wear armor designed for men. That's finally changing in 2020.

WASHINGTON – For Air Force Maj. Julie Roloson, new body armor being fielded specifically for women is more than a matter of fit and weight. It could be life or death. Roloson, 34, commands the 88th Security Forces Squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and says the new vest, tailored to fit women and lighter than men's versions, gives her a better chance to fight and shoot. 

Fighting and shooting. Basic requirements for combat jobs, all of which the Pentagon opened to women five years ago. From helmets to accommodate a hair bun to maternity flight suits, gear designed for women is being developed and issued, changing the way the previously one-male-size-fits-all military outfits troops. 

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Update: The U.S. Military Is Finally Fielding Body Armor Designed for Women (Popular Mechanics)

WNU Editor: This is so long overdue.

Sapphire Gems Can Be Used As Body Armor

FOX News: Sapphire gem-based ‘transparent’ armor protects soldiers from snipers

Made from a synthetic version of the highly-prized sapphire gemstone, new transparent armor is lighter, thinner and pulverizes bullets on impact.

Currently used by the military on powerful missile launchers and state-of-the-art fighter jets, the unusual transparent armor also has wide-ranging potential to protect troops on the battlefield.

Sapphire gems have long been sought after for their stunning blue beauty, but synthetic sapphires are prized for combat applications. The sapphire is harvested synthetically, producing pure sapphires that are transparent like glass - instead of the iconic blue.

Even extremely aggressive and lethal rounds that can tear through bodies shatter on impact when they come in contact with the sapphire-based armor.

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WNU Editor:  It makes sense. Sapphires are like diamonds. They are very strong. 

This Goo Can Stop Bullets (The Future Of Body Armor?)

Air Force Academy cadet Hayley Weir with professor Ryan Burke. Air Force Academy/Tech Sgt. Julius Delos Reyes

Business Insider: An Air Force Academy cadet created a bullet-stopping goo to use for body armor

fter a little more than a year of research and more than 20 attempts to get the right materials, an Air Force Academy cadet and professor have developed a kind of goo that can be used to enhance existing types of body armor.

As part of a chemistry class project in 2014, Cadet 1st Class Hayley Weir was assigned epoxy, Kevlar, and carbon fiber to use to create a material that could stop a bullet.

The project grabbed Weir's interest.

"Like Under Armour, for real," she said.

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WNU Editor: The applications for this material are enormous .....

.... It also has the potential for use as a protective lining on vehicles and aircraft and in tents to protect their occupants from shrapnel or gunfire.

"It's going to make a difference for Marines in the field," Burke said.

A New Form Of Body Armor?

FOX News: This foam stops bullets cold and pulverizes them to dust

Foam body armor? Even armor-piercing bullets cannot get through this foam.

And the foam doesn’t just stop bullets. It destroys them…this foam decimates bullets into dust.

North Carolina State University Professor Afsaneh Rabiei led the team that created the amazing foam.

This is not ordinary foam like the kind used for shaving, for example. This is a special type of foam called composite metal foams, or CMF.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Looks promising.

US Military Has Developed Flexible Body Armor 50% Lighter Than Current Models

A new type of flexible body armor developed through a collaborative effort between the Air Force and the Naval Research Laboratory is 50 percent lighter than current body armor. The design makes the use of a ceramic ball matrix encapsulated in foam material, which is then backed with multiple layers of polyethylene sheets. (U.S. Air Force photo/Marisa Novobilski)

U.S. Air Force: Flexing in the line of fire: Lightweight, flexible body armor for the future force

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) -- In the line of fire, protective body armor plays a critical role in survival. Hard-plated, rigid and heavy, today’s National Institute of Justice Type IV body armor -- the kind that protects warfighters against armor piercing bullets -- defends the wearer, but adds weight and bulk that a fast-moving operator could do without.

Engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory are working to change this.

“Battlefield airmen, special operations forces, pararescue troops … all of these individuals are trying to move fast and fit in tight areas, but they have this rigid, bulky armor to wear,” said 1st Lt. Jason Goins, a materials research engineer in the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate at AFRL. “You can move faster and work more efficiently if you have something that moves and flexes with you.”

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Update: US Military Develops Flexible Body Armor 50% Lighter Than Current Gear (Sputnik)

U.S. Army Is Using Genetically Engineered Spider Silk To Make Better Body Armour

Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, Army surgeon general, tries on the new tactical vest specifically designed for the female physique. Photo U.S. Army

Washington Times: Army tests genetically engineered spider silk for new body armor

‘Our fibers have a 30 to 40 percent elasticity before they break’

The U.S. Army wants body armor with incredible strength, and a company that specializes in genetically engineered spider silk may fulfill its wish.

Michigan-based Kraig Biocraft has been awarded a $100,000 contract by the Army’s Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment, or PM-SPIE office, to provide “shoot packs” of spider silk.

Kraig Biocraft, which has genetically altered silkworms for over decade, uses a technology that splices spider DNA into caterpillars. Officials plan on using the caterpillars’ “Dragon Silk” in body armor once the right formula is determined.

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More News On The U.S. Army Using Genetically Engineered Spider Silk To Make Better Body Armour

The Army is Testing Genetically Engineered Spider Silk for Body Armor -- Defense One
Super silk worms may be the key to better body armor -- Army Times
Army is testing genetically engineered spider silk for body armor -- Next Gov
The Army Is Testing Body Armor Made From Genetically Engineered Spider Silk -- Popular Mechanics
Dragon Silk: Pentagon to Test Genetically Modified Silkworm Fiber for Armor -- Sputnik
Body Armor Made From Spiderwebs Could Replace Kevlar -- Vocativ
The Army Wants to Make Body Armor Out of Genetically Engineered Spider Silk -- Gizmodo

Advances Continue In Liquid Armor

Daily Mail: Liquid body armour: 'Magic material' can instantly harden on impact - and is tough enough to stop a bullet

* Clothing can include Moratex pack which instantly hardens on impact
* Has been shown to stop bullets in lab tests - yet wearer can move around

Scientists at a Polish company that produce body armour systems are working to put a 'magic liquid' that can harden on impact in their products.

The liquid is called Shear-Thickening Fluid (STF), and instantly hardens upon impact at any temperature.

In a 'liquid armour' this provides protection from penetration by high-speed projectiles and additionally dispersing energy over a larger area.

Update: Poland Developing Liquid Body Armor -- Popular Science

WNU Editor: The applications are unlimited.

A Look At How Protective Undergarments Are Cutting IED-Related Wounds

Protective Undergarments Cutting IED-Related Wounds -- USA Today

The underwear has resulted in a 40% reduction in wounds to troops' genitals, key arteries and abdomens.

9:56AM EST December 11. 2012 - WASHINGTON -- Fortified underwear is in high demand among troops in Afghanistan where any step on the battlefield can trigger a buried bomb that can blow off legs, destroy genitals and tear into their abdomens.

The Pentagon is rushing more Kevlar underwear, along with protective cups and strapped-on outergear, to ensure that soldiers and Marines in the field have six pairs of the equipment. The need is acute because insurgents continue to plant more than 1,000 bombs per month and troops on foot lack the protection of armored vehicles. The underwear has resulted in a 40% reduction in wounds to troops' genitals, key arteries and abdomens, according to the Pentagon.

Read more ....

My Comment: These improved stats are impressive.

The Case For Better Body Armor

Army Specialst Arielle Mailloux gets some help adjusting her protoype Generation III Improved Outer Tactical Vest from Capt. Lindsey Pawlowski recently at Fort Campbell, Ky. Army photo / Megan Locke Simpson

Making All Our Troops Bulletproof -- Rep. Niki Tsongas, Time

Shoot, move, communicate. This was the clear, succinct analysis given by an Army major when asked to describe the key components of a military mission.

In three words, the major illustrated the reality of modern war theatres — one in which a soldier’s safety and success relies as much on mobility as it does on strength.

Clearly-drawn front lines have become a thing of the past, due to complex locations with ubiquitous enemy threats. In places like Afghanistan, the line is barely visible at all. Constant and pervasive danger makes agile movement a high priority for all soldiers, whether they are assigned directly to combat or not.

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My Comment: Improvements have been done .... but this is one of those instances where more needs to be done.

'Xena: Warrior Princess' Is Being Used As The Inspiration For New Body Armor For Women

Photo: Xena: Warrior Princess

Army Uses 'Xena: Warrior Princess' As Inspiration For New Body Armor For Women -- Christian Science Monitor

Making body armor that better fits the bodies of female troops is a considerable engineering challenge. The Army is forging ahead with improvements after a decade of women serving on the front lines.

The US military is developing “Xena: Warrior Princess”-style body armor for women that it hopes will give them greater protection on the battlefield, with more curves in the chest and hips.

It is a considerable engineering challenge to make body armor that better fits the bodies of female troops, US military officials acknowledge, and such armor may be years in the making.

In the meantime, Army engineers are forging ahead with improvements that they hope will provide much-needed changes after a decade of women serving on the front lines of an unpredictable battlefield.

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My Comment: The last sentence in this report is what caught my eye ....

.... Now, he adds, the challenge will be finding the money, in the midst of robust calls for cuts in defense spending, to mass-produce them.

There are women politicians on the military appropriations committees .... I am confident that they are going to make sure that the funds are allocated.

Looking At Nature For Inspiration In Developing New Body Armor

A mantis shrimp in the lab of David Kisailus. (Credit: Carlos Puma)

Armored Caterpillar Could Inspire New Body Armor -- Science Daily

ScienceDaily (June 7, 2012) — Military body armor and vehicle and aircraft frames could be transformed by incorporating the unique structure of the club-like arm of a crustacean that looks like an armored caterpillar, according to findings by a team of researchers at the University of California, Riverside's Bourns College of Engineering and elsewhere published online June 7, in the journal Science.

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My Comment: This is interesting science .... but I assume that it will take a long time to develop such discoveries into practical applications.

This Is One Lucky Soldier

'The Bullet Magnet': Soldier, 21, Survives Being Shot By The Taliban Twice In Two Weeks -- Daily Mail

* Daniel Leonard, 21, had the butt broken off his rifle as he ran for cover
* He was then shot in the back without realising but his body armour saved his life just days later
* The young soldier is only two months into his tour of duty in Afghanistan

A lucky soldier has been named the ‘bullet magnet’ after being shot twice by the Taliban in the space of two weeks - and surviving both attacks uninjured.

Daniel Leonard, 21, had his rifle butt broken by enemy fire before another bullet went into body armour protecting his back just days later.

The young soldier, from Sunderland, didn’t even realise he had been shot the second time – and thought he had merely been given a prod by his commanding officer to 'get down'.

Read more ....

U.S. Military Women To Get Body Armor To Fit Their Shape

Female fit: The U.S. Army secretary is looking into whether the military armour soldiers wear should be developed with a woman's figure in mind (file photo)

Military Body Armor Not A Good Fit For Women -- Washington Post

The old advertising slogan “Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman” sure doesn’t apply to the military’s body armor. Seems the gear that protects troops from all kinds of nasty stuff isn’t exactly made with women’s figures in mind — and that’s causing problems as more women take on combat roles.

But never fear, ladies in arms! The House Armed Services Committee feels your pain — well, not literally, but hey, at least it’s working on it. The panel praised the Army for its attention to the issue, and has directed the secretary of the Army to assess whether there’s an “operational need” for gear tailored to women.

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Update #1: Equality on the frontline: Women in U.S. military set to get body armour designed for their shape -- Daily Mail
Update #2: Female Troops Suffer From Poorly-Fitting Body Armor -- KPBS
Update #3: Currrent Military Designs For Body Armor Aren’t Suited For Women, But the House Is Looking Into That -- the Mary Sue

My Comment: This is so long overdue.

Liquid Armor?

Forget Kevlar! Liquid Body Armor Hardens On Impact -- FOX News

A revolutionary new armor relies on a liquid that hardens when something hits it, promising unprecedented protection while letting soldiers move freely, unrestricted by bulk and weight. Protection for warriors has long meant weight and bulk from ceramic plates and Kevlar that cover large areas of the body but reduce maneuverability, agility and speed. And in war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan, temperatures can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning heavy armor can also accelerate fatigue.

Read more ....

My Comment: Impressive.

More Advancements In Body Armor

MetCel's body armor inserts protect soldiers against the blunt-force trauma of a bullet hitting body armor. CREDIT: MetCel

Startup's Hybrid Body Armor Softens Blow to Troops -- Live Science

Modern body armor capable of stopping bullets still can't protect a soldier from the full force of a bullet's impact — a body trauma responsible for most U.S. military gunshot injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan. That battlefield danger has driven one U.S. startup to create a lightweight, protective material worn under body armor, similar to how ancient warriors once wore padding beneath their chain mail or plate armor.

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My Comment: Faster please.

Future Weapons - Dragon Skin

Ballistic Underwear Coming Soon

British troops model their version of ballistic underwear, which U.S. Marines want urgently. UK Ministry of Defense

Military Bulks Up To Protect Against Groin Injuries -- Washington Post

The U.S. military is working to protect troops against an increasingly common type of injury in Afghanistan: groin wounds.

Four months ago, the Army put in a rush order for $2 million worth of ballistic underwear designed to better protect service members. Recently, the Army again put in a rush order – this time for $19 million for “ballistic groin protection and armored exterior shorts.”

There’s a good reason to take a hard look at pelvic protection. As a result of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, troops in Afghanistan are suffering more and more blunt trauma injuries to their pelvic areas and genitals. The injuries can lead to internal bleeding and in some cases be fatal.

Read more ....

My Comment: As to concerns about possible failings in body armor .... the top Army General believes that such concerns are not warranted.

Is The Body Armor Used By U.S. Troops Safe?

Unprotected? 80 per cent of Marines serving in Iraq who had been shot in the upper body died because of inadequate body armour

Fears Over U.S. Troops' Safety After Report Finds Five Million Pieces Of Body Armour Have Not Properly Been Tested -- Daily Mail

* Report finds $2.5billion worth of protective equipment could be defective
* 80 per cent of Marines in Iraq who were shot in the upper body died because of inadequate body armour

American troops could unwittingly be putting themselves in grave danger in the Middle East, an official report suggests, after five million pieces of body armour were found not to have properly been tested.

The Army cannot be certain that the critical battlefield equipment ever met the standards to protect U.S. troops before it was sent out, the Defence Department's inspector general found.

The Pentagon report focused on seven Army contracts for the plates, known as ballistic inserts, awarded between 2004 and 2006 and totalling $2.5billion.

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More News On U.S. Troop Body Armor

Army says improperly tested $2.5 billion body armor is safe -- Reuters
Army Didn’t Properly Test Plates for Body Armor, Audit Finds -- New York Times
Inspector General: Army Improperly Tested Body Armor Plates -- NPR
Army report: Body armor testing flawed -- Politico
New Report Confirms The Army Approved Up To 5 Million Pieces Of Worthless Body Armor -- Business Insider
Army 'Improperly' Tested Body Plates -- Time/AP
Safety of Army body armor in doubt, report finds -- CBS