DSM Dyneema Anticipates Proximate Material Developments Will Address Demand For Lighter Ballistic Protection
The efficiency and stamina of military, police and security workers have constantly been impacted by the weight of their apparel. Nevertheless, today, significant trends are heightening the effect of weight and emphasizing the immediate demand for brand-new, lighter products that can provide top-notch safety integrated with efficiency for use. Several international government efforts are in progress to lower the weight of personal safety equipment for soldiers.
DSM, the manufacturer of Dyneema®, foresees the adoption of next-generation lighter product innovations as a vital part of the solution. Many professionals back this opinion. They have projected the increase of use of UHMwPE products in personal ballistic protection and vehicle armouring within the next 5 years to be in double-digits.
The demand for lighter ballistic protection
There are two critical factors that contribute to the trends within the police force. A need for ballistic protection that can provide both greater ballistic efficiency as a lighter weight.
Police forces are moving to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).06 ballistic standard. In 2008, NIJ Standard 0101.06, Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor, indicated the most recent advancement in requirements by which police ballistic protection vests are tested. It develops brand-new and upgraded minimum efficiency requirements and test techniques for the ballistic protection of individual body armor made to secure the upper body against gunfire. According to 32-year police veteran, Dale Stockton, who is the editor-in-chief of Law Officer Magazine
The new NIJ .06 standard provided some genuine difficulties to manufacturers and there have actually been some very early remarks which suggested that 06-compliant shield was more stiff and less versatile. But I’m positive that manufacturers will discover a means to work within the requirements and work with NIJ to supply a ballistic vest that simply keeps getting much better. The marketplace will drive this and eventually the officers will benefit.
Some officers stay clear of using bulletproof vests for reasons of convenience. Compulsory wear policies are gradually becoming the standard throughout the nation. However some officers still prefer to go without armor. They rationalize their action merely or find excuses with either being assigned to an administrative duty or on a training day. Can you hazard a guess how many police officers don’t wear vests lately? There are good signs pointing to the fact that about 40% of uniformed law enforcement agents do not wear body armor to work. According Stockton, whenever they carry out Below 100 training, you’ll realize that many officers are without proper ballistic protection. And when you try to find out about their reasons, the most frequent answers are ‘It is hot’, and ‘it is uncomfortable’. “In fact, even when I did training in Alaska in December, that was the same response.” Stockton stated.
Dyneema UHMwPE products offer top-notch ballistic protection efficiency integrated with lightweight and versatility for improved convenience and dexterity for the body shield. Naturally, Dyneema UHMwPE fiber is 40 percent lighter than competitive products yet provides extraordinary ballistic safety in addition to outstanding resistance to moisture and chemicals. To satisfy the international need for improved safety while remaining within the strict budget requirements, DSM Dyneema is strives to offer the very best solutions to the police and armed forces.
