Body Armor

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Another question - this one actually not about tanks!

Body Armor degrades when it absorbs multiple hits. Kevlar will, over time, simply wear out. While Kevlar probably isn't easy to replace (read: nigh impossible) how feasible is the manufacture of new trauma plates in a post 2k environment? I mean, they're "just" ceramic, plastic and steel sandwich laminate...but that's not exactly like milking a cow.

[dragoon500ly]

The ceramic would go the way of Kevlar, it requires specialized materials and factories to make. You would be more likely to see metal plates added, the first flak jackets were made of nylon and held overlapping steel strips in pockets on the armor, needless to say, they were very heavy!

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

The ceramic would go the way of Kevlar, it requires specialized materials and factories to make. You would be more likely to see metal plates added, the first flak jackets were made of nylon and held overlapping steel strips in pockets on the armor, needless to say, they were very heavy!

Yeah, I can see vehicle armor from completely destroyed (lighter) vehicles making its way to small machine shops for conversion to trauma plates.

[dragoon500ly]

LOL, I'm afraid that if you are planning to use vehicle armor, its more along the lines of a fabrication plant and a decent forge. Even thin armor would run at least 0.5-inch thick, thats a lot of machining!

The metal that was used in the bomber crew flak jackets and later in the first issue armored vests is actually quite thin, its initial purpose was not to stop a bullet but rather to deflect and absorb the energy of fragments. You really didn't start getting good "bullet-stopping" armor until the use of Kevlar and later, ceramics.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

LOL, I'm afraid that if you are planning to use vehicle armor, its more along the lines of a fabrication plant and a decent forge. Even thin armor would run at least 0.5-inch thick, thats a lot of machining!

"But sir, I don't wanna wear the vest!"

"You'll wear it and like it - that stuff will stop a tank round."

"That's because it's made from tank armor, sir!"

The metal that was used in the bomber crew flak jackets and later in the first issue armored vests is actually quite thin, its initial purpose was not to stop a bullet but rather to deflect and absorb the energy of fragments. You really didn't start getting good "bullet-stopping" armor until the use of Kevlar and later, ceramics.

Huh; didn't know that.

[Legbreaker]

It's the same with many of the lighter vehicles - their armour is only designed to protect against (ie slow down) small arms fire and shrapnel. As long as the crew and passengers survive relatively intact, it can be considered "effective".
Naturally this isn't anything close to acceptable with heavier, higher value vehicles such as MBTs, but for scout vehicles and some APCs (aka battle taxis)...

[Targan]

There was a discussion on a thread not all that long ago (late last year maybe?) in which I recall suggesting that perhaps sections of kevlar spall liner, cut to size, could be used to repair damaged/degraded kevlar body armour. I'd go looking for the thread but it's late here and likely to take bloody ages.

[raketenjagdpanzer]

Originally Posted by Targan

There was a discussion on a thread not all that long ago (late last year maybe?) in which I recall suggesting that perhaps sections of kevlar spall liner, cut to size, could be used to repair damaged/degraded kevlar body armour. I'd go looking for the thread but it's late here and likely to take bloody ages.

You can't cut Kevlar like that. It'll delaminate and destroy the integrity of the product. With that said it's not unreasonable to think that removed spall liners could be taken by someone with the knowledge of how to work with Kevlar and properly reassembled into body armor.

[bobcat]

now again i really really need to test this in the lab(read range) but i keep hearing that 1/8 steel scale mail atop a layer of chain will deflect most pistol rounds. it ain't much but its netter than just wearing your skivvies.

[HorseSoldier]

I'd think body armor is increasingly rare by 2000, and there's not much ability to repair existing armor or fabricate new armor.

Plus, at a big picture level, the logistical equation has changed dramatically -- body armor's utility is based on soldiers and their skills being expensive commodities and casualties being politically unacceptable (there's a humanitarian dimension as well, but humanitarian issues only go so far as budgetary items . . .). Circa 2000, even with the loss of life from the nukes and their disruptions, basic trigger pullers are much cheaper than their weapons -- as long as the military can provide meals and security for families from marauders, there will probably be dozens of volunteers to take the place of an infantryman who becomes a casualty. The limiter is weapons and other equipment.