The technology used for the material from which armor inserts for protective garments are made can quite legitimately be labeled "space age." This range of materials has been developed to produce the highest levels of protection, along with the lightest, thinnest panels possible. Two names that have become synonymous with high performance in the field are Spectra and Dyneema armor inserts.

Developments in Armor Inserts Technology

Cutting edge technology in this area means that over the past few generations of material, weight has been reduced by up to 40 percent while actually increasing the level of protection. But it is still acknowledged that armor inserts for protective garments add to bulk and weight. They can also add to the problem in hot conditions.

So the focus of continuing research is on further reducing the bulk and weight of the garment in general, while increasing mobility as much as possible. This could only be further improved if the technology also resulted in body armor being available at a much lower price. At the moment, a basic combat vest along with the necessary armor inserts can be a very expensive piece of equipment.

Dupont, the makers of Kevlar, which is the fabric used for most of the protective clothing in use by the armed forces and security forces, is developing their most amazing protection system yet. They have named it Liquid Armor because it does not involve the use of rigid armor inserts at all. Instead, the fabric is soaked in a special fluid prior to being cut and sewn. It can also be molded, or whatever is necessary to produce the required shape. Liquid armor is easy and lightweight to wear. It protects the wearer by forming a rigid shield if it comes into contact with a projectile, hence its name, liquid armor.