Personal body armor is the last line of defense against blunt trauma, penetrating projectiles, and blast injury for U.S. warriors and law enforcement. Existing standards and test methods emphasize protection against penetrating projectiles, but studies show that current body armor designs are ineffective in preventing behind armor blunt trauma (BABT) and might even enhance blast-related injury.

BTG research has concentrated on penetrating projectiles in the past and recently begun efforts at a more unified description of high strain rate mechanisms common to blast, blunt, and penetrating trauma.

Current and future efforts are geared toward improved standards, specifications, and methodologies for design, selection, and testing next generation body armor for the threats faced by today’s warriors and security personnel.