More Than Body Armour

As demand for personal protection equipment (PPE) continues to rise, armed forces are also considering its integration into more holistic soldier modernisation concepts aimed at enhancing the situation awareness (SA).

- Andrew White

Industry is not only looking for lighter ballistic protection to maximise soldier mobility, but looking at how this can be integrated with C4ISTAR (Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaisance) systems to increase an individual soldier’s situational awareness (SA).

According to market research company Technavio’s Military Lightweight Armor Systems Market 2017-2021 report, published on 9 June 2017, soldier protection and safety remains a ‘prime concern for the defence ministries’ with armed forces ‘adopting various measures to facilitate the development and procurement of systems and equipment that enhance the protection level of the soldiers’.

Referring to ongoing collaboration with soldier modernisation efforts, the report also stated how another trend gaining momentum is the integration of electronic components:

‘The incorporation of electronic components into body armour is trending in the market. With the highly dynamic war environment, soldiers must be provided with more situation awareness and connectivity for their constant interaction with command centres.

‘Therefore, designers are focusing on making mission-centric, scalable and modular armour (solutions), supported by advancements in electronics that have made it possible to include sensors, communication and data gathering instruments in body armour,’ the report highlighted.

Echoing these requirements to Asian Military Review, Laurence Bedford, head of research at engineering and software design services specialist SEA, explained how the burden on dismounted personnel in particular needed to be carefully considered, especially as power- and data-enabled equipment continues to be fielded on personnel.