Designed to provide protection against all reasonable battlefield threats, The Model 7 vest is a counterpoint to the majority of battlefield protective devices in that its primary ideal; Flexibility is an odd contrast in the world of ‘bullet-proof’ vests. Drawing Inspiration from the armor of days past, primarily the Lorica Segmenta of the Roman Empire. Though inspired by the past the M7 is a thoroughly modern design constructed of four primary layers.
-Layer One (user interface)-
Designed to be worn over thin clothing (jumpsuits, Op-shirts, etc) the inner layer is a ribbed treated cotton material designed to allow continuous airflow not only of the internal materials, but also air caught between the vest and the wearing decreasing the discomfort associated with long durations of wear. This material is also waterproof preventing the vest from being bogged down or molding from moisture damage.
Without this layer the vest would be a hot and uncomfortable affair relegated to only when absolutely necessary decreasing the overall protection of the wearer to ‘ideal’ situations, a condition that is no way relevant to combat. Woven to the inside (under the ridged cotton material) are the internal equivalent of suspenders evenly distributing the vests weight and loads of the vest in order to reduce the overall strain on the user during use.
-Layer Two (energy absorption)-
Arguably the protection a vest provides is reliant on the material that absorbs the energy of the round after the round has been stopped. Without such material the majority of the rounds energy would still be capable of rupturing organs, or snapping rips in half. It is then obvious why the M7 focuses so much on not only Absorption but Redistribution of the rounds energy.
Constructed a sandwich of EAF (Energy Absorbing Foam) (3mm) and PAR or Poly-Armaid fiber (1.5mm each) which has been reinforced by means of Shear thickening Fluid, or STF a mix of microscopic silica crystals supported in a solution of polyethylene glycol. This which acts as a support and means of transferring the shock of impact away from the impact area in order to decrease the overall effect of the impact on the wearer. Combined the 6mm of padding increase the number of rounds needed to exceed the wearers peak impact absorption (or point of bruising) now a round may still knock the wearer down by pure force alone, but the two layers in concert should redistribute the impact force to a level similar to that of being punched moderately.
Since different areas of the body react differently to impacts sections such as the stomach and sides of the abdomen are reinforced with a second layer of EAF and PAR in order to protect the more vulnerable internals in that section of the body. The semi-rigid nature of the PAR also helps to absorb any resultant fragments of armor or spalling that could occur upon a bullet striking the covering armor.
-Layer Three (armor)-
The Primary Armor of the M7 vest is comprised of 150, inch wide strips, 5mm thick overlapping 50% with the strip below to provide twice the thickness and twice the structural strength than a single strip could alone provide. The strips are composed of what is known as ‘Thermofiber’ or PEEK. The PEEK or Thermofiber material has excellent mechanical properties due to the fiber imbedded semi-crystalline polymers, good thermal stability and good chemical resistance. the continuous service rating of 250°C. PEEK is inherently fire retardant. It has been said it is easier to burn a hole through an aluminum sheet than through a thermo fiber sheet. Likewise the near fiberglass method of construction requires less thermoplastic and decreases the overall cost in both resources and weight dramatically compared to a ceramic or alloy set up. Attached half way along the length of the strip is a half width strip that sticks behind the lower strip but is connect via fabric to the top strip to allowing for the strips to flex and expand without compromising the vests protection level.
The fabric covered strips run both the entire length of the front and back of the vest and the sides are protected by shorter strips which are weaved in at the ends to provide continuous protection on all sides. The side strips extend to cover the kidneys and small of the back for extra protection of the vital areas. From heavy gunfire. The Shoulders are protected by a pair of molded plates which protect and cover the upper arm plates which at the joint to provide protection of the vulnerable veins and arteries of the upper arm.
Another potential area of threat is underneath the underarms, one cannot simply armor up the opening due to the restriction of mobility and the pain of chaffing such sensitive area, however there are options. A three sectioned plate (similar in profile to a tongue shape) cut into three equals sections (peace-sign wise) is fit into a special pocket on the inner side of the vest and is attached to the underarm protector via a swinging point. When the arm of the wearer is raised the flex plate is pulled out of its pocket and cover the previously exposed section, likewise when the arm is lowered the plate returns to its pocket out of the way. This allows the wearer to raise their arms to a comfortable and natural firing stance without exposing their armpits to fragments or shrapnel.
Attached to the shoulder and collarbone plates is a fix neck plate to protect the lower neck this is Covered by an extra thick layer of EAF in order to protect the neck in a whiplash type situation and provide ballistic protection against ricochets. The combined protection level make the vest not only stab-proof, but also nearly immune to light fragments while providing respectable protection against all arms fire.
-Layer four (Outer most)-
Covering all the underlying layers is another thin layer of EAF covering by a rubberized nylon together acting as a protection against blunt impact trauma. Certain areas such as along the spine, collar bone and upper chest are giving additional protection to protect the wearer in the case of blast or impact from a rifle stock, though the vest cannot provide immunity to all threats it certainly provides a juggernaut like ability to withstand some of the more minor battlefield threats.
The outer surface utilizes a MOLE style modular attachment system for the addition of ammunition or equipment pouches as well as specialty pouches or mission specific items. The Vest is closed by means of three Adjustable Nylon Belts each with a ‘Tac-latch’ ™ Camlock system aligned with the firers primary hand providing the highest level of protection with gun up and chest towards an enemy. This was chosen for the assistance of medical field staff as the webbing could be easily cut of in the case of a penetration, or to be removed with the non primary hand with the weapon still secure in the primary hand. A cut away system is located underneath the wearers off hand side to allow for the vest to be quickly removed in times of stress or endangerment such as the vest becoming entangled in debris or caught on fire. The cut away ring is bead blasted and non reflective and is left somewhat rough on the inner diameter of the ring to aid its pulling in wet or other conditions. A quick pull removes the stitches of the shoulder, side and under arms plates which may then be pulled or fall free within seconds, this does of course ruin the vest but in an emergency situation where seconds count this can be a life saver.
Weight: 6.8 lbs
Rated Against: 2800 m/s
Max Deformation (Ballistic): 35mm
Max Deformation (Impact): 15mm
Absorbed Energy Protection (Impact):: 25g+
Ballistic Protection:
-NIJ: Level III-IVA
Stab protection:
NIJ/P.S.D.B certified.
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