How does body armour protect a wearer from weapons and projectiles?

Modern body armour protects the wearer by utilizing advanced materials to absorb and dissipate the kinetic energy of incoming projectiles.

Mechanisms of Protection

• Energy Dispersion: When a bullet or fragment strikes a vest made of Kevlar or other tightly woven fibers, the material captures the projectile. As the object moves through successive layers, the energy is dispersed across a wide surface area, causing the projectile to deform or "mushroom" rather than penetrate the wearer's body.1
• Energy Dissipation: For high-velocity threats, such as rifle rounds, advanced ceramics are used. These plates are inserted into tactical vests to further dissipate a bullet's energy upon impact, providing a higher level of protection than soft fibers alone.12

System Components

Body armour systems, such as the Interceptor Body Armor (IBA), combine these materials to protect vital organs. While soft ballistic fillers guard against fragmentation and handgun rounds, ceramic inserts are added to counter more potent threats. Soldiers also utilize a helmet to protect the head, with modern designs prioritizing both ballistic resistance and the range of movement necessary for combat.12