How much does a kevlar body armor weigh. Russian Army: Bulletproof vests. New technologies in manufacturing

06.03.2020

(Personal protective equipment) is aimed at achieving a unified order in the field of security. For this purpose, certain rules and regulations have been developed, intended for universal repeated application.

Goals of NIS standardization:

Achieving optimal ordering in the field of safety of life and health of citizens.
Creation of armored clothing classification systems.
Ensuring the quality of manufactured products.
Ensuring the maximum level of development of the specialization in question.

From this follow the tasks of standardization:

Establishment of precise and correct systems of standards, which will be based on complex targeted programs. Programs should determine the basic requirements for the design of body armor, their production technology, the necessary materials and the quality of raw materials.
Creation of a unified system for assessing the quality of NIS, as well as an optimal method of control and testing.

In a nutshell, standardization is necessary for the most efficient production of high-quality NIBs and their further safe use.

A bit of history

For the first time, they began to talk about the standardization of armored clothing in 1984, when the Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union developed the "General Technical Requirements for PPE". These requirements were not widely used in the country, because at that time they acted only within the walls of this department.

The peak of the popularity of NIB can be safely considered the end of the 80s - the beginning of the 90s, when, due to the unfavorable situation in the country, an increasing number of consumers began to think about their safety. This combination of circumstances gave a sharp impetus to the development of body armor standardization. However, at that time it was not possible to come to a unified decision, therefore the norms and procedures depended entirely on belonging to one or another department.

Time passed, and the country needed to develop a single target set of norms and rules in the field of personal protection. Soon, the first State standard for armored clothing, GOST R 50744-95, was put on public display. Then, together with GOST, a certification system for PPE products was created. Based on the test reports and the study of various kinds of documentation, a special certificate of conformity was issued. Today, several companies are engaged in issuing certificates.

Different countries have their own standards for personal protective equipment. Consider the main types of standards:

GOST R 50744-95 (Russia)
NIJ (USA),
DIN (Germany),
CEN (European standard)

Classification of body armor and body armor in general

Personal protective equipment in different countries is classified depending on the protective properties of the armor.

US Body Armor Classes (NIJ 0101.03)

Type I (22 LR; 380 ACP). This armor protects a person from being hit by a bullet from a long-barreled 22-caliber rifle. The first class provides protection against lead bullets with a modified tip, the mass of which does not exceed 2.6 g, the impact speed should not exceed 320 m / s. In addition to 22 caliber, Type I deters 380 ACP (FMJ RN), which fires metal-jacketed bullets. The mass of bullets should not exceed 6.2 g, and the speed of 312 m / s.
Type II A (9mm, 40 S&W). This armor protects a person from a 9 mm blunt bullet, which has a metal sheath in its composition. The mass of the bullet is 8.0 g, and the speed at impact is 332 m/s. In addition to the 9mm bullet, the second type of armor provides protection against 40 S&W caliber with a bullet in a solid metal jacket. The mass of the bullet is 11.7 g, and the speed on impact is 312 m/s. In addition to the listed threats, this type of armor is able to protect the owner of the body armor from the types of weapons indicated in the first paragraph.
Type II (9mm 357 Magnum). This armor provides protection against a 9 mm blunt bullet, which has a metal sheath in its composition. The mass of the bullet is 8.0 g. The difference with the second class is only in the speed of impact. Here its parameter is 358 m/s. In addition, body armor saves when shooting from 357 Magnum, where the bullet is in a soft shell. The mass of the bullet is 10.2 g, and the impact velocity will be 427 m/s. Protects against threats from the first and second points.
Type IIIA (High Speed 9mm, 44 Magnum). This armor provides protection against a 9 mm blunt bullet, which has a metal sheath in its composition. The mass of the bullet is 8.0 g. The difference with the third class is only in the speed of impact of the bullet. Here its parameter is 427 m/s. In addition, body armor saves when firing from 44 Magnums with a bullet weight of 15.6 g and a speed of 427 m / s. Protects against threats from the first, second and third points.
Type III (rifle). A special class of protection designed to protect against 7.62 mm blunt metal-jacketed bullets (M80). The mass of the bullet is 9.6 g, and the bullet impact speed is 838 m/s. This class fully complies with the requirements of the previous paragraphs.
Type IV (armor-piercing rifle). And the last type of armor. This armor provides protection against armor-piercing bullets of 30 caliber (M2 AR). The mass of such bullets is 10.8 g, and the minimum speed upon impact is 869 m/s. The fifth class provides protection against the threats that were listed in the previous paragraphs.

Armored clothing and body armor in Russia (GOST)

In the domestic standard, there is a similar division of armored clothing into classes. Consider the classes of Russian GOST:

Bulletproof vests first class are able to protect a person from soft low-velocity bullets, for example, sports 5 and 6 mm cartridges or from 6.35 mm pistol bullets of the Browning type, as well as from some types of edged weapons. The maximum weight of such armor does not exceed 1.5-2.5 kg.
Bulletproof vests second class provides protection against pistol and revolver bullets in a shell such as PSM, PM, "Nagant". Also, the second class of protection removes the lethal action from the shot of a hunting rifle and some types of edged weapons. The maximum weight of such armor should not exceed 3-5 kg. Bulletproof vests of the second class are made of 7-10 layers of fabric. They can be disguised as clothing or even made in the form of ordinary fur clothing such as a jacket or raincoat.
Bulletproof vests third class characterized by the presence of rigid armor elements and softening linings. The design of body armor consists of 20-25 layers of fabric. Extensive curved plates can be used as rigid armor elements. This class is designed to protect against TT pistol bullets that have a steel core, as well as to protect against reinforced pistol and revolver bullets like the Magnum. Bulletproof vests of the third class prevent the lethal effect of bullets from smoothbore hunting rifles. The maximum armor weight is 6-9 kg. Usually worn over a uniform.
Bulletproof vests fourth grade similar in design to third-class bulletproof vests, but with some differences. The main emphasis in this class is on protecting the chest and abdomen from medium-caliber bullets. The body armor protects against 5.45 and 7.62 mm bullets, which have a soft core in their composition. The maximum weight of body armor must not exceed 10 kg. The considered type of armored clothing is usually used in law enforcement agencies.
Armor fifth grade designed to repel impacts of non-armor-piercing bullets of 5.45 and 7.62 mm caliber. The firing range of ordinary bullets here does not exceed 5 m, armor-piercing - 10 m, protects against pistol shots at close range. The weight of body armor can vary from 11 to 20 kg.
Sixth grade involves providing protection from being hit by an SVD sniper rifle. Cartridges 7.62mm and 57-BZ-231 with a bullet BZ will not be able to penetrate through the body armor. Also, the armor eliminates the lethal effect of the 7.62mm 7N13 cartridge and the 7.62mm 7-BZ-3 cartridge with the B-32 bullet. Bullet speed in this class can reach 800-835 m/s.
The last class related to Russian GOST is special class, which protects against direct blows of edged weapons with an impact energy of 45-50 J.

Other countries

In other countries, there is a similar division of standards into classes. Depending on the damaging effect of the bullet, DIN (Germany) distinguishes the following classes:

Protection classes CEN (European standard):

Compliance with grades of different standards

The classes of different countries have something in common, so it is possible to compare them with some degree of approximation. For example, the American 4th grade roughly corresponds to our 6A. Thus, depending on the danger of exposure (the design of the ammunition, the energy of the bullet), the design of the bulletproof vest is also created.

GOST (Russia)	NIJ (USA)	DIN (Germany)	CEN (Europe)
1	I	L	BR1
2	II-IIIA	I	BR2, BR3
2a	—	II	SG1, SG2
3	—	II	BR4
4	III	III	BR5
5	—	—	BR6
6	IV	IV	BR7

How to explain such a variety of NIS protection classes in Russia?

As can be seen from the table, the most complete standards are GOST of Russia and CEN of Europe - these standards take into account all the nuances of dividing armored clothing into classes. Russian standards are in no way inferior to foreign ones and fully comply with modern safety requirements. Moreover, the Russian GOST R 50744-95 is the most stringent standard in the world, which is reflected in the requirements for the characteristics and parameters of body armor. For example, the transverse displacement, in accordance with the Russian standard, should not exceed 20 millimeters, while in Western countries and the United States, a higher transverse displacement is often allowed.

First of all, a large number of different types of small arms. After all, it is important not only to effectively protect a person, but also not to overload him. For example, if a policeman is engaged in maintaining order in a public institution, he is unlikely to need protection from a rifle bullet. Criminal statistics suggest that such a police officer may need protection from, traumatic weapons, a Makarov pistol and TT. It is unlikely that he will need protection from armor-piercing sniper bullets. Thus, for a policeman, security guard or collector, you need a body armor that does not protect against all types of small arms.

Secondly, a balance must be struck between the mobility of a person and his security. A high degree of protection makes the fighter's equipment heavier, he becomes much less mobile and turns into an excellent target. Therefore, one should strive to put on a smaller person, while taking into account the likelihood and degree of threat. The more detailed the classification, the higher the accuracy of choosing the necessary protection. At the moment, the work of specialists on the NIB standards continues, so soon there may be even more classes.

Read about the materials from which armored clothing is made.

The history of hostilities that have been and are taking place now has given impetus to the development of individual protective equipment for each soldier or other people. According to statistics, the most effective way to save life during hostilities is an army bulletproof vest. This allows you to keep the human body intact when exposed to bullets of various calibers, fragments from grenades and shells, as well as knife blows.

In many countries, the production of bulletproof vests began almost simultaneously, which were mainly used for law enforcement agencies and army units. The technologies that are used to obtain a more reliable protection system are constantly being improved, and a large amount of money is spent for this.

The main characteristics of body armor

To have high protective properties, protections must have exceptional characteristics in terms of resistance to impact from a bullet or other objects. They also have other important features that allow you to use them without harm to health.

The best bulletproof vests have a certain set of characteristics:

The required level of protection according to the class in which it was manufactured.
Convenient operation.
camouflage appearance.
Practicality in use.
Fabric cover of the increased durability.
Manufacturability during modernization.
Convenient weight indicators.
Test conformity certificate.

Body armor, the price of which is quite high, must meet almost all of the listed characteristics. If the main ones are not met, then such products should be discarded and not allowed for sale.

Protection classes

Since the protection of a person in different conditions should involve different degrees, then, accordingly, all body armor should be divided into protection classes. There are seven in total. The simplest and least effective is the first class of body armor. The higher the class, the more reliable the protection.

1 class

This is the initial level at which the human body can protect itself from minor threats. Bulletproof vest of the 1st protection class is able to protect the body from light blows with a knife and dagger, as well as ensure safety from small-caliber bullets. It will also withstand being hit by a bullet from a 9mm pistol from a long distance. The total weight of such body armor does not exceed 2.5 kg. This type can be used to protect against pneumatic weapons and other small-caliber pistols. Since metal plates are not used in such a means of protection, it can only protect with a not very strong blow with a knife.

Grade 2

A bulletproof vest of the 2nd protection class is able to protect against bullets from a small-caliber pistol and pneumatic weapons. It also withstands being hit by a steel-jacketed bullet. The protective layer consists of 7 layers of fabric, which are a rigid plexus. The second class can also protect against shot from a hunting rifle. If you use this body armor against knife threats, it will be more effective, but still, with a strong blow, it will not be able to save a person. The advantage of such body armor is its light weight of 3 kg and the possibility of using it under clothing due to its compact size.

3rd grade

The body armor of the 3rd protection class has steel plates and more than 25 layers of durable fabric in its design. There are also special softening pads that, when hit, neutralize the force of impact. This body armor is able to withstand a hit from a reinforced bullet from a pistol, as well as a blow from a knife. It also protects against bullets from smoothbore rifles. This class of body armor should guarantee protection against bullets from the AK-47 assault rifle. Its weight is no more than 9 kg. It is usually worn over army uniforms or other tight clothing.

4th grade

The body armor of the 4th protection class is similar in design to the previous one, but it has more protection in the chest, back and abdomen. This class reliably protects both from pistols and from the SVD sniper rifle. It can withstand 5.45 and 7.62 caliber bullets, which have a soft core. This means of protection is mainly used in law enforcement agencies as a basic bulletproof vest.

5th grade

Bulletproof vest 5 protection class is one of the most reliable. It can withstand 5.45 and 7.62 caliber hits. When protecting against such bullets, the following situations are possible: ordinary bullets pierce from a distance of 5 meters, armor-piercing - from 10 meters, a pistol bullet is held point-blank. The weight of body armor can vary from 11 to 20 kilograms, depending on the modification and materials used.

6th grade

Bulletproof vest of the 6th protection class is able to withstand a direct hit from all types of sniper rifle bullets. It will also eliminate the impact from a bullet with a steel thermally reinforced core. The weight of such body armor can be more than 20 kilograms.

7th grade

Body armor of the 7th protection class is a modified version of the previous class, and it comes with reinforced armor in the form of It is installed in front and behind the body armor.

Barrier displacement

Bulletproof vests with protection classes of 3 or more are endowed with a unique characteristic - the so-called armor offset. It shows how many millimeters the sheet of armor sags when a sustained bullet hits it. This displacement can be more traumatic if it is large than the bullet itself. The fact is that a large indentation from a bullet can also cause damage to the body, and as a result, fractures, ruptures and other injuries are possible. It should be noted that the Russian GOST very strictly regulates the maximum displacement. It should not exceed 20 millimeters. Therefore, if you need to choose bulletproof vests, the protection classes of which are higher than the second, you must first make sure of the magnitude of their behind-the-barrier displacement. This can be done by testing in the field.

Exploitation

In order for the body armor to protect a person from possible injuries and not hinder movement, it is made as comfortable as possible to wear. Protective parts should not interfere with movement or any other actions. Therefore, protective equipment is mainly made from fabric into which metal plates are installed. The material is in most cases durable and prevents the component parts from sagging. In addition, the bulletproof vest, as a rule, has various pockets and fasteners that increase its functionality.

In order for the protective equipment to be fully sized for each person, special puffs and adjustment straps are provided. They allow you to more accurately fit the body armor to the body and make it more convenient to use.

The external coloring is a drawing that is applied to the uniforms of all soldiers. There are also separate color options adapted to the specific areas in which the operation will take place.

Practicality

In order to avoid great inconvenience during use, body armor must be quickly put on and taken off. Basically, all models use fastening due to Velcro. They hold the vest well on the body and are quickly disconnected if necessary.

It is worth noting that body armor, the protection classes of which are the same, can be completely different in appearance. This is due to different companies that are engaged in the production of such protective equipment. There are also separate modifications for use by tankers, snipers or other specialized military. For example, armored vest of the 6th protection class, which is designed for infantry, is absolutely not suitable for tankers. There is very little space in the tank cockpit, and the entry hatches are small, so they need a special body armor with reduced dimensions for convenient operation. Also, many industries where personal protective equipment is needed require a separate model that would be adapted to the conditions of use.

Weight indicators

If the bulletproof vest weighs too much, then its effectiveness will not be high. Therefore, special alloys are being developed and new technologies are being used to reduce the weight of protective equipment. As a rule, a weight of more than 25 kilograms is already considered large and significantly affects the maneuverability of a soldier. For maximum lightness, plates made of titanium or titanium alloys can be used.

Kevlar body armor

There are special means of protection in which the main component is not metal, but a special fiber. It is five times stronger than steel. In addition, such bulletproof vests are much lighter than analogues with steel plates. Since the basis is a fabric of great strength, the weight characteristics of such a means of protection are the best.

The material used was originally planned to be used for car tires, but when the developers saw its exceptional characteristics, it was decided to introduce it into the military industry. This material was developed independently by different countries. Thus, the analogue of Kevlar is the domestic durable fabric TSVM DZh. It was designed specifically for use in bulletproof vests and has proven itself well.

Certificate of conformity based on tests

Body armor classes indicate the degree of protection and must be tested in a special laboratory. Conditions are created in it when there is a direct hit by bullets of the caliber that theoretically the body armor should withstand. This can create various situations for rebound or other imitations. After impact on the bulletproof vest, experts inspect the site of damage and make a conclusion about the suitability of the material and its compliance with the declared protection class. In this case, situations may arise when the material withstands a direct hit, but the transcendental displacement turned out to be too large. In this case, it is considered that the protection did not work, as it caused a lot of harm by its secondary action.

Compliance of Russian means of protection with foreign analogues

All bulletproof vests that are manufactured in different countries must adhere to the rules prescribed in the relevant GOSTs. They regulate the main indicators of armor when exposed to firearms, fragmentation grenades, knives and other types of strikes. In this regard, almost all manufacturers produce body armor with the same protection. But at the same time, the Russian GOST is more critical in terms of the magnitude of the transcendental displacement. In other countries, larger offsets are possible than provided for by the Russian standard.

New technologies in manufacturing

Scientists from England have developed a new type of body armor that has liquid armor. A special substance is placed between several layers of Kevlar fabric and is a mixture of very strong nanoparticles in a special liquid. To the touch, this armor is soft and light. But if a bullet hits it, then the point of contact instantly hardens and does not allow it to penetrate. This development has been developed, and models of body armor of this type have already been made.

One of the new materials being tested is graphene. It has exceptional properties of thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, as well as great strength under force. However, the big problems in adapting this material to protective equipment significantly remove the date of its introduction into production. According to its characteristics, it is several times stronger than Kevlar and has a very fine structure.

Additional protection features

Almost all bulletproof vests that use good protection with steel plates prevent a person from being hit by fragments of grenades or shells. At the same time, it is impossible to predict how the fragment will behave, and therefore this protection is considered conditional. Also, bulletproof vests, protection classes of which are 6 and 7, are able to withstand a strong blow from a professional combat knife. But this is subject to a direct hit on the protection plate.

Recently, body armor models have been produced that have additional lining to protect the neck, shoulders and groin areas. Such protection is much more effective than the others, but the mobility of the person who uses such a vest decreases. Basically, these defenses are used for special cases, when, for example, a soldier does not need much maneuverability.

Features of the material for body armor

When used during combat operations, there are many different factors that affect body armor. It can be fire impact, chemical, temperature or other. In order for these conditions not to reduce the protective effect, it is necessary that the vest withstand such an effect. To do this, the material is made non-combustible and immune to chemicals. Also, body armor can be used both at a temperature of +40 degrees, and during frost down to -30 degrees.

For Kevlar bulletproof vests, an additional condition is resistance to detergents and exposure to sunlight. To do this, they use special impregnations from various substances that increase the resistance to these factors.

Prices for protective equipment

The average cost of an army body armor, which is accepted as standard equipment, is about 15 thousand rubles. Also, depending on the desire, various modifications can be carried out by adding steel or ceramic plates to the body armor. The price of the product may vary depending on the manufacturer. The degree of protection is also of great importance. As a rule, body armor, the price of which is the highest, is equipped with maximum protection and is very convenient to use.

Features of protective equipment

One of the features that a Kevlar body armor with ceramic inserts has is a high probability of its characteristics changing during long-term storage. They can reduce the protective properties of the vest. At the same time, in order to make sure that everything is normal and there are no defects, it is necessary to check the protective plates using X-rays. Only in this case it is possible to detect hidden defects.

Specialized body armor

For the personal safety of a person, several modifications of vests have been developed that can be worn under clothing and they will not interfere with this. First of all, they are used by bodyguards and high-ranking people. Such protective equipment is disguised as a vest, coat, or simply put on under a shirt in the form of a T-shirt. However, it is not always convenient to do business with them, since significant weight creates certain difficulties. There are also separate developments of body armor for children. Their weight does not exceed 2 kilograms, and this is a big plus for those who use them.

The women were not spared either. For them, several models of bulletproof vests have also been developed that can be hidden. They are made with an anatomical fit and are comfortable to use. However, it is not possible to increase the protection class for such vests more than the fourth.

Finally

So, the classes of body armor characterize the degree of their protection from bullets and other threats to life. Depending on the need, various protection options for a person are used. The most common are 4 and 5 classes of body armor. Such funds protect a person well and do not create great inconvenience when used.

Each type of protective equipment is certified by a special laboratory, which, based on the results, can issue a certificate of conformity to the protection class. It is also worth noting the wide distribution of various modifications of body armor, which are used by individuals due to their professional activities.

Following the progress, the armor also evolved and today it has turned from woven, wooden, leather and others into the most reliable and even "absolute" armor - bulletproof vests. So, the best of the best! From what and how can they protect?

Developed in the Russian Federation back in 2000, today "Dublon" is the most reliable armored suit, even in comparison with imported analogues. Constantly improving this armor, the manufacturer (JSC "NII Stali") achieved excellent results as a result. "Dublon" consists of more than 50 titanium armor elements, providing protection not only to the body, but also to the arms, legs and face. In addition to AK and SVD bullets, it is also capable of protecting against an explosion with a power of up to 0.5 kg (in TNT). Of course, such a high level of bulletproof and fragmentation protection also has its own quite understandable minus - weight. ZKS weighs more than 40 kg.

Not having a "beautiful" name, this product of domestic specialists is quite worthy of the first number on our list. It is guaranteed to protect both from bullets of 7.62 caliber (AK) and from snipers (SVD), there is no need to talk about “attempts”. Combat bayonet? This is not a problem for body armor - it will withstand a blow with a force of 45 J. It protects the chest, back and sides with special composite armor. In addition, it is equipped with additional armor elements for the neck, forearms, hips and groin. The fabric of the BKZ cover is mechanically strong, waterproof and non-flammable. Total weight - 12 kg. It is possible to list all its technical features for a very long time, and in short - BKZ is one of the best!

Body armor of this type is widely used by the US Army. A distinctive feature of the "Interceptor" is a coating of a unique ballistic fabric material "tweron". A cover made of this material made it possible to reduce its weight by 18-20% (depending on the configuration) without compromising bullet resistance. This bulletproof vest is able to protect against NATO standard bullets (9*19), and with additional armor plates - against bullets of 7.62 caliber (AK). The mass of the "Interceptor" -11.4 kg. According to the American classification of body armor, this product is one of the best due to its ergonomics and, in fact, reliability. But, as it turned out, Russian standards are somewhat more demanding and stricter, so our “American” is 3rd.

One of the latest developments. Special forces officers characterize this product as highly effective protection with increased bullet resistance and, most importantly, comfort. Designed for special forces that come into direct fire contact. The modular design of the Rosich is not something new today - almost all modern body armor has the ability to add elements for additional protection, but at the same time, the Rosich weighs only 6.5 kg, which allows the fighter to move much more freely.

And again - the product comes from the USA. Since 2009, he began to enter the Armed Forces of NATO countries. The main features of this bulletproof vest are: an increased area of anti-fragmentation protection, a quick release system (required, for example, when a soldier is injured or falls into a body of water), as well as the installation of side protection elements without additional modules. The design allows you to evenly distribute the weight of the vest between the muscles of the abdomen and back, and not on the shoulders. Despite this, since 2011, the US Army has been considering supplementing or replacing this product with some other one, due to the heavy weight of the bulletproof vest. In a complete set and a large size, its weight reaches 16 kg, which is considered too large and negatively affects the mobility of a soldier.

Adopted by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in 2010. Protection class A, B. It will protect the soldier both at long and short distances, from conventional bullets and from armor-piercing ones. It can be used in all climatic zones at temperatures from -50 to +50 ° C inclusive! At the same time, the mass varies, as with all similar products - from 4.5 to 15 kg. Just like imported samples, it is equipped with a quick release system. In general, at the level, if not higher! Why 6th place? According to experts' practical estimates, there is one significant flaw: different adjustments for standing and sitting positions, which is not only inconvenient, but simply impractical - you have to constantly “pull up” the bulletproof vest or, conversely, “let go”. This omission, apparently, will still be corrected.

In fact, this Western sample (with such a "musical" name) is an earlier version of IOTV. But today it is still in service with the US Armed Forces and NATO. Protects against fragments and bullets of caliber 9 * 19 (class 3a according to Western standards), and when installing additional composite armor elements, and from automatic and rifle bullets. Its weight is 14 kg. Also, the design provides the soldier with some comfort, more effectively distributing the mass over the upper body.

The next domestic sample is intended for both the army and the police personnel. In various trim levels, the Cuirass is classified according to protection from the 2nd to the 6th class. The design is not burdened with complex elements or experimental developments - everything is extremely simple. This is the beauty of this sample. The armor panels of the Cuirass are made of special armor steel and ceramics, providing reliable all-round protection for the entire torso. The shape of the armor panels and convenient fasteners provide a simple adjustment of the body armor to the body. The total weight of the product is 14 kg.

9 Dragon Skin

Such an interesting name was given to a new development of an American company for an unusual approach to protection for bulletproof vests. The armor consists of ceramic discs with a diameter of 5 cm and a thickness of 6 mm, arranged in relation to each other like chain mail. During the tests, the “Dragon Skin” withstood several dozen hits from pistol, revolver bullets, and even shots from the M16 did not pierce the armored discs. A separate question on AK ... Some tests were successful, and they were made public. But there are examples from amateur tests that did not give positive results, and on the contrary, AK literally “crushed” the armor disks. The rest of the bold approach in the design gave a positive result. Weight - from 6 to 8 kg, which is also a plus.

10 "Corsair MZS"

We put this sample as the last of the body armor for outdoor wear. A striking example of increased ergonomics and ease of use with the built-in "molli" system. "Corsair" consists of 4 parts with a quick release system. The bulletproof vest cover is made of heavy-duty fabric material (the latest domestic development), due to which it has a light weight with decent bullet resistance (2-4 class). Steel plates will hold PM and TT with a steel core. An AK bullet will not pass unless it has the same steel core. In general, the Corsair is very reliable and easy to wear. The total weight in the configurations varies, but does not exceed 8 kg.
With the advent of new materials, bulletproof vests are becoming even stronger, more reliable and lighter. We hope to read about even more advanced models soon!

Ever since interpersonal conflicts arose, humanity has used subterfuge to protect itself. In the beginning, people used primitive armor, like a wooden shield. But man evolved, and after him the armor improved.

At first they were leather, then iron, and today they have turned into bulletproof vests - decent protection against firearms. Below will be presented the top ten most reliable and popular bulletproof vests for today.

ZKS "Dublon" was created in Russia in 2000. But at the moment it is the best sapper suit in the world, surpassing foreign analogues. The creator of the Research Institute of Steel annually modifies and improves the quality of Doublon. It consists of 50 titanium plates that completely protect the entire body from head to toe. "Dublon" is able to withstand shots from machine guns and sniper rifles, as well as an explosion of TNT in half a kilogram equivalent. He has one of the highest coefficients of protection against fragments.

2. Body armor BKZ 6/3-6a

BKZ, without having its own name, is one of the best bulletproof vests. Domestic development will 100% protect against 7.62 caliber bullets and sniper shots. Also, the suit will withstand a bayonet-knife hit of 45 Joules. BKZ fully protects the torso, while it has additional plates for the arms and thighs. His weight is small - only 12 kilograms. This makes it one of the most popular body armor in the world.

Bulletproof vests "Interceptor" are an American development. The main feature of the body armor is its coating of a special material, from the fabric "tweron". The tweron cover helped reduce the Interceptor's weight by 20%, so it weighs 11.5 kilograms. It can protect against 9.19 and 7.62 caliber bullets.

The latest Russian development. Special forces speak of the suit as reliable and ergonomic. The suit does not have any special additions - it is also capable of protecting against submachine gun and sniper bullets. But it is his entire 6.5 kilograms that is the main feature of the bulletproof vest.

5. IOTV - Improved Outer Tactical Vest

IOTV - Improved Outer Tactical Vest

Development of the US Armed Forces. Since 2009, it has been used by NATO military forces. Well protects against automatic bullets, has many additional plates. Body armor is valued for the high speed of removing the suit, which is necessary when a soldier is wounded. The IOTV design is distributed in such a way that the weight does not fall on the shoulders, but on the whole body. But the large weight of 16 kilograms made the United States think about replacing the main armored suit for the Armed Forces.

Became part of the armament of the Russian army in 2010. It has protection class A and B. It perfectly protects a soldier at long and short distances from conventional and armor-piercing bullets. Can withstand temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees. Weight varies from 5 to 15 kilograms depending on additional elements.

7. MTV - Modular Tactical Vest (modular tactical vest)

MTV - Modular Tactical Vest (modular tactical vest)

An early version of IOTV. It is still in service in some parts of the US Armed Forces. It has characteristics slightly lower than IOTV. Reliably protects against bullets of 9x19 caliber and shrapnel. The weight of 14 kilograms is inconvenient in that the load fell on the upper body.

Bulletproof vest, which is used daily by the police. It has a different configuration, so the protection class is from 2 to 6 class. The composition of the armored panels consists of ceramics and armored steel. Easily adapts to any body. The weight of the bulletproof vest is 14 kilograms.

9. Dragon Skin

Dragon Skin - "Dragon Skin"

The most unusual American development. The innovation of the suit is that it consists of round ceramic discs with a diameter of 5 centimeters and a thickness of 6 millimeters. Tests have shown that it holds shots from the M16 well. But amateur videos have shown that in half the cases, body armor will not protect against a Kalashnikov assault rifle. The weight of the product is 7 kilograms.

The body armor consists of four systems for quick release. The fabric part of the Corsair consists of a durable Russian-designed material. The plates will withstand any bullets without a heart tip. The simple design has a weight of 8 kilograms.

On the outside of the fabric cover of the Corsair m3s body armor modification, the MOLLE system is sewn in, which is designed for attaching hinged pouches or other items of equipment

Today, when the development of weapons is going by leaps and bounds, the question of protecting a fighter in battle has become acute. In general, if we talk about such protection in general, the task has always been. With the advent came the question of protection. For millennia, warriors have protected the body from the effects of enemy weapons.

The materials that were used to solve this problem were very different. From leather to metal. Remember the first "body armor" of the ancients. Leather armor covering the most commonly hit areas. In parallel, in other countries, armor was made from several layers of fabric. By the way, the effectiveness of this armor for that period in both cases was quite high.

Then, with the advent of iron weapons, metal armor appeared. There were also many modifications. And many hundreds and thousands of lives were saved. The culmination of the development of metal protection can be considered the armor of medieval knights. Tank man. Yes, and fast moving on a horse! He was a really strong force.

However, such protection had one, but a significant drawback. Metal is heavy. Knightly armor weighed from 30 to 40 kilograms or more. Therefore, if a knight was thrown off his horse, he turned into an excellent target for infantrymen. Only a few could fight on the ground in such armor.

The appearance of firearms has practically nullified all the advantages of knightly protection. And for a while they forgot about protection. For a long time it was believed that a bullet would overcome any defense. Remember the paintings of the 19th century. Some parts of knightly armor have been preserved only on the dress uniform of officers and generals. In battle, they were practically unprotected.

Paradoxically, interest in personal protection has been revived thanks to artillery. After analyzing the defeats of soldiers in the battles of the First World War, it turned out that more than half of the wounds were due to fragments from artillery shells. Moreover, the most fatal wounds were to the head and torso. More than half of the deaths were from wounds to the chest and abdomen.

During the Great Patriotic War, the cuirasses of the Red Army became widely known. Readers remember the Soviet "iron divisions". Soldiers wore steel breastplates (CH-38 and CH-42). These bibs really protected from fragments (up to 1 gram at a speed of 1000 m / s) and bullets from the MP-40 assault rifle. But they also returned the old problem of the "sluggishness" of a soldier.

It was the cuirasses that became the "grandfathers" of modern body armor. But the "fathers" and "mothers" were already different. In several countries, the design and production of body armor was organized independently. And this led to the emergence of different protection standards. Moreover, these standards differ significantly.

In this article I will try to compare the protection of different countries. Naturally, based on the test results of the countries that produce them. That is why the comparison will be rather conditional.

Russian body armor. There are two standards here. GOST R 50744-95/1999 and GOST R 50744-95/2014. Both standards were developed by the All-Russian Research Institute for Standardization of the State Standard of Russia. Therefore, I will write in two versions at once.

1 protection class

PM pistol, 9 mm steel core bullet, speed 325 m/s. Revolver "Nagant", 7.62 mm lead-core bullet, speed 295 m/s.

Br1 (GOST from 2014)

APS pistol, 9 mm steel core bullet, speed 335 m/s.

2 protection class

PSM pistol, 5.45 mm bullet, 2.5 grams, steel core, speed 335 m/s.

CP-1 pistol, 9mm bullet, 7.93 grams steel core, speed 390 m/s.

There is also a subclass for this class in both standards.

Hunting rifle, 12 gauge (18.5 mm). Bullet 34 grams with a lead core, speed 410 m / s.

Hunting rifle, 12 gauge, 34 gram lead core bullet, speed 410 m/s.

3 protection class

AKM assault rifle, 7.62 mm bullet, 7.9 grams, steel core, speed 895 m/s.

Yarygin pistol, 9 mm, cartridge 9 x 19 mm. Bullet 5.2 grams with a heat-strengthened steel core, speed 455 m/s.

4 protection class

Automatic AK-74 mm, Bullet 3.5 grams, with heat-strengthened steel core, speed 895 m/s.

5 protection class

SVD rifle, 7.62 mm bullet, 9.4 grams, steel core, speed 830 m/s. AKM assault rifle, 7.62 mm bullet, 7.9 grams, with heat-strengthened steel core. speed 720 m/s.

AKM assault rifle, 7.62 mm bullet, 7.4 grams, with a special heat-strengthened core, speed 750 m/s.

Ak-74 assault rifle, 5.45 mm bullet, 3.5 grams, with heat-strengthened steel core, speed 750 m/s.

6 protection class

SVD rifle, 7.62 mm bullet, 9.4 grams, with a heat-strengthened steel core, speed 830 m/s.

SVD rifle, 7.62 mm bullet, 10.4 grams, with a special core, speed 810 m/s.

SVD rifle, 7.62 mm bullet, 9.4 grams with a heat-shrinkable steel core, speed 830 m/s. Rifle SVD, 7, 62 mm bullet, 10.4 grams, with a heat-strengthened steel core, speed 810 m/s.

Br6
OSV-96 or V-94 rifle, 12.7 mm bullet, 48.2 grams, with heat-strengthened steel core, speed 830 m/s, distance 50 meters

I specifically described Russian bulletproof vests in such detail. As you can see, it is almost impossible for a non-specialist to understand this diversity. And, to be honest, I hardly imagine a new class of Br6 vests. Such a caliber from such a distance cannot penetrate individual protection ... But if manufacturers position just such stability, then it remains only to take off your hat to them. Yes, and a barrier shift ...

For Europe there is a standard, a pan-European - CEN. To understand the difference between standards, consider it.

Rifle, 0.32 bullet, 2.6 grams with a rounded tip, speed 360 m/s.

BR2, BR3

Pistol, bullet 9 mm "Parabellum", 8 grams, with a rounded tip and a soft lead core, speed 400 m/s.

Revolver 9.07 mm, cartridge "Magnum357", bullet 10.2 grams conical, with a solid metal jacket and a soft lead core, speed 430 m / s.

SG1, SG2

Short-barreled shotgun 12/70, bullet 31.0 grams "Brenneke", lead, speed 420 m / s.

Revolver, 10.9 mm, cartridge 0.44 "Magnum", bullet 15.6 grams blunt, with a solid metal jacket and a soft lead core, speed 440 m / s.

Rifle 5.56 mm, cartridge 5.56x45 mm NATO. Bullet 4 grams, with a solid metal jacket, with a soft lead core and a pointed steel armor-piercing tip, speed 950 m / s.

Rifle 7.62 mm, cartridge 7.62x51 NATO, bullet 9.5 grams, with a solid metal jacket, with a pointed tip and a soft lead core, speed 830 m / s.

Rifle 7.62 mm, cartridge 7.62x51 NATO, bullet 9.8 grams, pointed, with a solid metal jacket and a particularly hard steel core weighing 3.8 grams, speed 820 m / s.

If you carefully analyze the requirements of the standards, then an interesting pattern is revealed. We have only 6 protection classes, in Europe there are 7. But looking closely, you understand: the European classification is much lower than the declared figures.

So, the Russian second class according to both GOSTs corresponds to two European classes at once - BR2 and BR3. And there everything is already one unit of class more everywhere. But, the Russian Br6 mentioned by me above is not even close by.

But the peculiarity of the European and American security forces is that these structures have their own standards. Simply put, government ministries have the right to independently set the standard of protection for their employees. So for the sake of completeness, such standards should also be considered.

The first will be the standard of the German Police Department - DIN. The second is the standard of the US National Institute of Justice - NIJ. In addition, in order not to return, I will immediately put an approximate correspondence with Russian standards.

1 class (Russia) / L (Germany)

Pistol 9 mm, bullet 9 mm "Parabellum", bullet weight 8 grams, with a solid metal jacket and a soft lead core, speed 365 m / s.

I (US):

Pistol 9 mm, cartridge 380 ACP, lead bullet, 6.2 grams, with a rounded tip in a tombac shell, speed 270 m / s.

Rifle 5.6 mm, cartridge 22, bullet 2.6 grams, lead, speed 329 m/s

Grade 2 (Russian Federation) / I (Germany)

Pistol 9 mm, cartridge 9x19 mm Parabellum, bullet 8.0 grams, with a solid metal jacket and soft core, speed 410 m/s.

Pistol 9 mm, cartridge 9x19 Parabellum, bullet 8.0 grams with a rounded tip, all-metal jacket, speed 398 m/s. Pistol 10 mm, cartridge .40 S&W, bullet 11.7 grams in full metal jacket, speed 352 m/s. Pistol 11.43 mm, cartridge 45 ACP, bullet 14.9 grams in a shell with a rounded tip, speed 275 m/s. Revolver 9.07 mm, cartridge Magnum.357, bullet 10.2 grams in a jacket with a soft core, speed 436 m / s.

Grade 4 (Russian Federation) / III (Germany)

Rifle 5.56 mm, cartridge 0.223 "Remington" (5.56x45 mm NATO), bullet 4 grams with a soft core and a steel armor-piercing tip, speed 920 m / s. Rifle 7.62 mm. Cartridge .308 Winchester (7.62x51 mm NATO). Bullet 9.6 grams, pointed with a solid metal jacket and soft core, speed 830 m / s.

III (USA)

Rifle 7.62 mm, cartridge 7.62 mm NATO, full metal jacket, speed 830 m/s.

Grade 6 (RF) / IV (USA)

Rifle 7.62 mm. Cartridge 0.308 "Winchester" (7.62x51 mm NATO). The bullet is pointed, with a solid metal jacket and a particularly hard steel core, speed 820 m/s.

IV (Germany)

Rifle 7.62 mm, cartridge 0.30-06 "Springfield M" (7.62x63 mm), armor-piercing bullet, 10.8 grams, speed 878 m / s.

And I would like to finish with a few tips for those who, by the nature of their service or work, use body armor. Just because, as I think, there are too many myths and completely stupid rumors about these remedies.

The first advice is purely practical. Choose not a brand or a beautiful label, but a means of protection. I don’t know where this myth came from, but I have heard many times about the advantages of Western “armours” over Russian ones. I will not dissuade. Just one significant, for those who understand, fact.

According to Russian GOST, the over-barrier displacement (shift of body armor layers in the direction of the projectile) should not exceed 20 mm! For foreign samples, the tolerance is 30-40 mm.

Many are happy to brag about Kevlar vests. Very good material! A complete analogue of our fabric TSVM-J. You can even say - twin sisters, not fabrics.

Why did I remember the material? I just want to debunk another "duck" of lovers to talk about armor protection. Above, you read about weapons that are used to test the protective properties of body armor. It was not in vain that I gave the characteristics of the bullet and its speed.

If you remember movies about valiant police officers and intelligence agents, then remember the episode of the main character's defeat by a criminal. But the criminal is defeated by another hero, and ours gets up, unbuttons his shirt, and we see a bulletproof vest with loose bullets all over his chest.

So, the PM pistol bullet in its kinetic energy is equal to the impact of a sledgehammer weighing about 2 kg! So the bullet itself will remain in the tissues of the vest, but on the body, at best, there will be quite decent hematomas. A weapon "stronger than the PM" will break the ribs, rupture large vessels and even internal organs. So getting into a bulletproof vest sometimes causes even more severe injuries than into an unprotected body.

But this does not mean that the vest is not needed. Shooting at you will be conducted not in the dash. There will be many concomitant factors that will help to survive. And the distance, and the angle of fire, and the speed, and the mass of the bullet ... Therefore, the probability of a lethal outcome is significantly reduced. Trauma, yes. Death is doubtful. And if you also have CAP (climatic depreciation support) in your “armor”, then it’s generally a miser.

In general, the use of body armor in the armies of the world significantly reduces the loss of fighters. According to Russian and Western experts, bulletproof vests reduce the chance of being hit by 60%. So, with all the problems and shortcomings identified, the use of such protection in law enforcement agencies and private structures will only grow. As long as there is the latest development of weapons, there will be the latest development of protection against it.