Body armour facts for kids

United States Marines in July 2010 help a Sri Lankan sailor put on a 'Modular Tactical Vest'.

Ancient Greek body armor, around 350 B.C.

An American police officer wears a helmet and carries a riot shield in October 2002.

Body armor is special protective clothing. It is made to keep people safe from different kinds of attacks. This includes sharp cuts, strong hits, and even bullets.

Long ago, body armor was mostly used by soldiers in battles. Today, many different people use it. This includes police officers who handle riots, private security guards, and bodyguards. There are two main types of armor. One type is soft and flexible. It is used by most police and security guards. The other type is much harder. It has special plates inside. This hard armor is used by soldiers in combat and special police teams.

A Brief History of Body Armor

Armour has been around for a very long time. Ancient warriors wore it to protect themselves. However, for a long time, especially from the 18th century until the Vietnam War, soldiers often fought without much protection. This was because old armor was very heavy and expensive. It was not practical for every soldier to wear it.

Modern Materials and How They Work

New materials have changed body armor a lot. Today, we have strong materials like carbon fiber, special ceramics, and different types of plastic. These materials are light but very strong. They can stop many threats.

One very important material is Kevlar. Kevlar is a type of Aramid. It is made of long chains of strong fibers. Kevlar is used to make bullet-resistant vests and face masks. Since the 1980s, the helmets and vests used by the United States military have had Kevlar as a main part. These items also have soft padding inside. This padding helps to absorb shock and makes the armor more comfortable to wear.

Thanks to these lighter and stronger materials, modern soldiers are now protected again. Their armor can stop many of the weapons used today.

Body Armor in Action

Body armor can save lives. In December 2009, during the War in Afghanistan, a British soldier was shot in the back. This happened while he was helping to clear a village. His body armor saved him.

He later shared his experience:

(...) I was hit in the back by a single shot. It must have been from about 200–300 metres away. The round knocked me down in an instant, it felt like being hit by a sledge-hammer at full swing. I slammed into the dirt face down. (...) I was in agony, I certainly couldn't walk on my own (...) I think it was a 7.62mm round. That's a high calibre bullet to be hit by, but it shows you that the body armour works. I wouldn't be sitting here now telling you this story, if I wasn't wearing one. Thank you to whoever designed the body armour. If I ever meet them, I'd like to buy them a pint.

—Lance Sergeant Daniel Collins

Images for kids

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  Japanese warrior in armor

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  Greek Mycenaean armor, around 1400 BC

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  Bronze lamellae, Vietnam, 300 BC – 100 BC

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  Turkish plated mail

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  Signature Maratha helmet with curved back, side view

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  Renaissance/Early Modern suits of armor for heavy cavalry

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  French cuirassier of the 19th century (Drawing by Édouard Detaille, 1885)

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  United States Navy sailors in 2007 wearing Lightweight Helmets and Modular Tactical Vests with neck and groin armor

See also

In Spanish: Armadura (combate) para niños