Safariland and Hardwire's New Soft Armor Ballistic Panels are Lightest Ever

ONTARIO, Calif., Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Safariland^® today announced a milestone, exclusive agreement with Hardwire, LLC ("Hardwire"), an armor systems company, offering market-changing soft armor ballistic panels with an unprecedented combination of stopping power and weight – 15 percent lighter than any soft armor available on the market today. Together, Safariland and Hardwire are introducing the first NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA compliant product with an areal density of just 0.68 lbs. per sq. foot.

Pressed using 25 million pounds of force at precise temperatures, multiple layers are turned into a single system, resulting in millions of fibers that once acted independently, now acting as one. This has set a new standard in shock dissipation physics, momentum transfer efficiency, and ultimately, ballistic properties.  

"The key is in shock wave physics," stated George Tunis of Hardwire. "A typical .44 magnum round would have the energy of a 330 mph major league fastball, but it also has the sharp tip of an arrow. The key is to spread that energy out, so you walk away with a bruise, not a hole. Spreading that energy is how armor works, and material wave speed is the key. The faster that energy can travel in the armor material, the faster the shock can be spread over a large area, and the faster the bullet can be flattened and stopped."

This solution is a revolutionary new armor system that outperforms the hardest steels, yet is light enough to float.  This new type of armor is a combination of perfectly interlaced multi-functional fibers and the finest polymer chemistry available. Made of Dyneema^® fibers, it is pure carbon and hydrogen, with not a single atom of wasted weight.

"The impressive scientific engineering in Safariland's new Hardwire ballistic package is unlike anything ever produced before in soft armor," said Todd Mackler, Vice President, Armor. "The disruptive technology of these panels offers record stopping power with the undisputed lightest weight body armor on the market. We are extremely proud to be bringing this breakthrough technology to the men and women who protect us."

These new ballistic designs are part of the all-new Safariland Armor Collection of ballistic panels and carriers systems being introduced at SHOT Show, January 19-22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Visit booth #12762 at the 2016 SHOT Show for a demonstration.

About The Safariland Group

The Safariland Group is a premier global provider of trusted, innovative, high-quality law enforcement and security products for the public safety, military and outdoor recreation/personal protection markets. Offering many of the world's most recognizable names in these markets, principal brands include Safariland^®, ABA^®, Second Chance^®, Bianchi^®, Break Free^® and Mustang Survival^®. Forensics brands include Identicator^® and NIK^®. The Safariland Group's mission, Together, We Save Lives™, is inherent in the lifesaving products it delivers. The Safariland Group has its headquarters in Jacksonville, FL.

For more information, visit www.safariland.com.

The Safariland Group is a trade name of Safariland, LLC.

About Hardwire, LLC

Based in Pocomoke City, Maryland, Hardwire, LLC is known for solving some of the most challenging military and defense problems in the United States and around the world. For over a decade, Hardwire has designed, manufactured, and delivered armor and protective systems for vehicles, aircraft, boats, personnel and infrastructure. Hardwire's breakthrough technologies provide critical protection to warfighters, law enforcement professionals, and everyday citizens.

SOURCE The Safariland Group

Related Links

http://www.safariland.com