To develop a flexible body armor system, that is comfortable to the wearer's torso, capable of providing NIJ level IV protection (National Institute of Justice Standard 0101.04, "Ballistic Resistance of Police Body Armor", Caliber .30 Armor Piercing M2 @ muzzle velocity). The system should also provide multiple repeat hit protection (3-hit minimum), knife and other circular penetrator type threats, with modular design to allow the user to adjust the protection level based on the tactical situation. This system should also have the ability for increased protected areas of rifle defeating coverage and decrease the weight as compared to current systems.The anticipated benefits to this technology are applications in armor for vehicles, vessels, aircraft, and facilities. In addition to military applications, this technology also has applications for ballistic protection for foreign service personnel Federal Law Enforcement and Security Personnel, and Civilian Law Enforcement body armor applications.
Keywords: body armor, ballistics, armor, protection, flexible armor, modular body armor, armor piercing protection, armor system