The arms race has always been expressed in the development of means of destruction, as well as protection against them. As soon as something new arose, no matter the weapon or the need for it, the other side immediately prepared the answer. Using this approach allows you to act with great effect, which in many cases is simply invaluable.
general information
The appearance of firearms for some time created the impression that the era of armor had come to an end. And so it was for quite a long time. But in the last century, metallurgy was able to boast of very significant successes in this field. And the already forgotten direction has revived in the form of specific shells and shields.
How did this business develop in Russia?
Developments in this area were stimulated by the Russo-Japanese war. At that time, various options for the creation of rifle shields, bibs, shells and other similar products began to be actively studied. Already by the First World War in small quantities there were various developments like the rifle shields of General Bobrovsky or Dr. Kochkin. But at that time not a single state was able to create acceptable protections. The RKKA had quite good work. Before the Second World War, she received a portable rifle shield.
Already during the war itself, steel anti-fragmentation cuirasses were used for assault sapper-rifle groups. The Americans created and used a pretty good M12, which used steel body armor. A particularly important period in the history of the development of body armor is the seventies of the last century. The reasons for this "heyday" in the spread of terrorism and the development of new synthetic high-strength materials.
Since then, bulletproof vests have become commonplace. In the army, they became necessary elements during the Afghan war. The rampant of armed crime made them necessary in law enforcement. In the civilian sphere, they are actively used by business people. They are most interested in the lightweight body armor of hidden wearing, which will protect and will not cause discomfort.
Modern production
When creating protection, the experience of millennia is taken into account. The most common designs include the back and chest sections and additional protective elements such as shoulder pads. It is believed that the best concealed body armor should look like a T-shirt, and not cause any suspicion among potentially dangerous elements. So what to choose?
The best in terms of performance are considered nomex, CBM or Kevlar body armor hidden wearing. In this case, they are created from multilayer polyamide fiberglass fabrics. Cushioning layers and plates made of cermet or steel / titanium alloys may be provided. The latter are usually inserted so that they overlap their own edges. It should be noted that bulletproof vests, as a rule, provide only 1-2 class of protection. It corresponds to the protection against bullets that are fired from pistols. What are they?
Security level
The first class is bullet-proof vests hidden from a knife, dagger, sharpening and non-shell bullets of 5.6 mm, used for sports shooting. They also provide protection against 6.35 mm browning. The weight of this design reaches two and a half kilograms. The coverage area is up to 40 square decimeters.
The second class has more advanced indicators. So, its representatives will additionally be able to protect themselves from shell bullets of revolving and pistol cartridges that are used in PM, Nagan, PSM and shotgun fractions . Their weight ranges from three to five kilograms. This type of protection is widely used by diplomats and business people. Because of this, services are common when body armor is made in the form of a vest. There are also female models of disguise in the form of a fur coat or a fur jacket.
What to choose?
It should be noted that a number of both state and private enterprises are working on the production of body armor. Therefore, the market has a fairly wide selection. Initially, you can advise the samples that are used by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The most popular among them is ZhZL-74. It weighs three and a half kilograms. Its coverage area is 43 square decimeters. True, it protects only from blows and knives.
Another interesting sample is a mirage jacket. It protects both the body and arms from the fire of pistols, revolvers, hunting rifles and sawn-off shotguns. You can also pay attention to the series of body armor "Breastplate". The representatives of “1-A” and “2-B” are of the greatest interest to us. The first is classified as a means of protection of the 1st class, and the second of the 2nd. But we should not forget that there are other developments that are offered by both private and state-owned companies. Therefore, you can search for something else, focusing on your taste and thickness of the wallet.
Safety precautions when using
Let's pay attention to application aspects. What are the specifics of all hidden wearing bulletproof vests? Kevlar, CBM or Nomex was used to create them - it does not matter. Their important feature and advantage is that they are hidden. And it is very desirable that for a potentially unwanted element the fact of its presence remains unknown until the very last moment.
After all, judge for yourselves - if strikes are made on the body, then this will win both temporarily and physically (disorientation or damage to the limbs). And if you know that a person has body armor, they can aim a gun at his head - and this almost always ends sadly. Therefore, talking about it, as well as demonstrating it is not recommended.
Disguise as clothes
Hidden wearing body armor is gaining popularity. Together with them, the number of orders for bulletproof clothing is also growing. However, due to technical features, it is usually made to order. Consider the specifics of such protection on the example of aramid tissue.
One standard layer maximum can stop a bullet fired from an air rifle, which in itself is not very dangerous. In order to protect against fragments and serious calibers, they are connected by a great many. So, second-class bulletproof vests usually have up to ten layers of fabric. It seems a little. But it provides quality protection. For comparison, third-class bulletproof vests are created by applying about twenty-five layers of fabric. But they, respectively, provide a higher level of security. Although, hiding them is rather problematic.
Conclusion
Lightweight concealed body armor can save lives if it is in danger. But still, you should be aware that this element is not a guarantee of the preservation of life. Therefore, in order not to say goodbye to her, it is necessary not to provoke the appearance of situations when body armor is needed. To do this, take care of safety measures and work out possible negative options.
Let's look at what happens to diplomats. If a citizen from the state disappeared in one of the remote regions of the third world country, then it makes sense to go to the alleged place of his stay in cases where there is support from local authorities and armed guards. For if he set off on his own - alas, the outcome will very likely be rather sad.