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A bulletproof vest, also known as a ballistic vest or bullet-resistant vest, is a type of body armour designed to absorb impact and prevent the penetration of firearm projectiles and explosion fragments to the torso. The vest can be either soft—as worn by police officers, security personnel, prison guards, and occasionally private citizens to protect against stabbing attacks or light projectiles—or hard, incorporating metallic or para-aramid components. Soldiers and police tactical units typically wear hard armour, either alone or combined with soft armour, to protect against rifle ammunition or fragmentation. Additional protection includes trauma plates for blunt force and ceramic inserts for high-caliber rounds. Bulletproof vests have evolved over centuries, from early designs like those made for knights and military leaders to modern-day versions. Early ballistic protection used materials like cotton and silk, while contemporary vests employ advanced fibers and ceramic plates. Ongoing research focuses on improving materials and effectiveness against emerging threats.
It
started as a bit of a joke, but soon became an advanced research project for
Dan Hawk, after John was wounded when taking on Panama
in Egypt.
No sooner it became clear that the reincarnated
Cleopatra had been abducted by the CIA for
DARPA's, US Defense Research, Dan figured John would be going in hard, against armed guards at Guantánamo
Bay. And that no matter how fast and strong he had become, Dan knew that
a bullet
disabled Panama. Meaning that John would suffer similarly if shot anywhere vital.
Dan
could not let that happen. He knew from taking on three great
white sharks, that John was prone to risking his life to protect others,
in that case a sick humpback
whale. The principle though was the same. John would leap in where
others feared to tread.
Dan stormed into John's quarters, his face etched with worry. "John, you can't be serious about this. Rescuing Cleopatra from
Guantánamo is suicide."
John shrugged, his expression defiant. "I've faced worse. Besides, I'm not going in unarmed."
Dan
raised his eyebrows and Hal made as if to interject ....
"I know the risks, Dan. But I can't just sit by and let her suffer.
Cleopatra committed suicide 2,000 years ago to be with us today. She won't
get another chance of rebirth while I'm alive."
Dan shook his head. "No, you're not about to let that slide. I know. But, if you
really want to get yourself and your goddess of a woman out of there alive,
you need to wear something that can protect you both from bullets."
.....
John
argued that he did not normally need any more advantages in his line of work as an
ocean conservationist and amateur archaeologist. But, after being shot at
with the intention to kill, and with the Egyptian queen at stake, he decides to listen to Dan's ideas.
"Okay
Dan, persuade me."
"There's
nothing new in battle armour John. The Romans and Knights of the Round
Table. Jousting, chain mail!"
"Sure.
They all wore armour, heavy mind you. Even the Zulu's had shields. And Ned
Kelly."
"And,
today there is riot gear and bullet resistant infantry outfits for soldiers.
The CIA use bullet proof vests routinely."
...
John scoffed. "A bulletproof vest can only stop a handgun round? That's a waste of time. Nothing can stop a
rifle bullet."
Dan chuckled, a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "Sorry Captain,
you're ill informed. There's technology out there that can withstand rifle fire. I've seen it firsthand."
John
knew that. Outside the Swann he was vulnerable. He did not trust Jack
completely and certainly not the CIA.
"You're going to get yourself killed," Dan insisted. "Even with your super strength, you're no match for the military."
Dan went on to explain about the advanced materials used in modern body armor, such as ceramic plates that could deflect bullets and polyethylene fibers that could absorb energy. He described the latest advancements in ballistic protection, including suits that could withstand multiple hits from high-powered
rifles using ceramics.
John's eyes widened. "Ceramic plates?"
"Exactly, discs made of ceramic materials. They're incredibly effective at stopping bullets and shrapnel. We can incorporate them into a suit that will make you virtually indestructible."
John listened, his skepticism slowly fading. He realized that Dan was right. If he was going to rescue
the miracle of the century, his beloved Cleopatra, he needed to be
more prepared.
"Alright," he said finally. "Make me a suit. And don't hold back. I need something that can withstand anything they throw at me."
Dan grinned. "Consider it done."
Over the next few days, Dan worked tirelessly, poring over blueprints and schematics. He consulted with experts in materials science and engineering, gathering information on the latest advancements in protective gear.
When the suit was finally complete, it was a marvel of modern technology. The outer layer was made of a lightweight, yet incredibly durable aramid fiber, similar to the material used in bulletproof vests. Beneath that was a layer of ceramic plates, designed to deflect high-velocity rounds. And finally, there was a liquid armor system, which could instantly harden to protect against impact.
John donned the suit, testing its mobility and flexibility. It was
relatively heavy, like thick motorcycle leathers, but he could move freely in it. He
started to feel more confident that this suit or development of it, would provide him with the protection he
may need in future expeditions.
As he prepared to infiltrate Guantanamo Bay, John knew that the road ahead would be perilous. But with Dan's battle suit, he felt a little more hopeful that he
just might succeed.
After days more toiling, Dan held up a second prototype of the battle suit, his eyes gleaming with
excitement. This one included themed colours. "What do you think, John?"
John examined the suit critically. It was a striking red and blue, with a web-like pattern across the chest. "It's... colorful," he said, trying to be diplomatic.
Dan laughed. "I know, I know. I was going for a more... superhero vibe."
John shook his head. "Listen, Dan, I appreciate the thought, but this isn't a comic book. We need something that's practical, something that won't make me
a walking target."
Dan nodded. "You're right. Let's try a different approach."
They spent the next few days experimenting with different colors and designs. John insisted on a more subdued color palette, suggesting blue as a practical and
camouflage-friendly option. Dan agreed, and they settled on a darker
blue for the main body of the suit. With yellow relief's. Dan could not help
himself.
Next, they turned their attention to functionality. John emphasized the importance of utility pockets and belts for carrying equipment. Dan suggested incorporating a modular design, allowing for different attachments depending on the mission.
These yet to be designed.
"We could even add a built-in communication system," Dan said. "Something like a mini-headset."
John nodded. "That would be very useful."
As they worked, the suit began to take shape. It was sleek and ergonomic, designed to maximize mobility and protection. The blue color blended in well with the ocean, making it difficult to spot from a distance.
When the suit was finally complete, John was impressed. It was everything he had asked for and more.
His confidence was building that he would be more able to face challenges that came his way.
Wary of becoming overconfident.
John shook his head. "I'm not trying to be a superhero, Dan. I just need something that will keep me alive."
"Alright, alright," Dan said, backing down somewhat. "How about this?"
He pulled out a different suit, a sleek, blue number with a more practical design. It featured numerous
detachable pockets and pouches, and the armor was more streamlined.
"That's more like it," John said, approvingly. "It's functional and doesn't look too much like something out of a superhero movie."
"I figured you'd like it," Dan said. "And I added some extra features. There's a hidden compartment for your weapons, and a communication system built into the helmet."
"Weapons?" John nodded, not completely understanding. "Perfect. Now, we just need to make sure it's comfortable and easy to move in."
Dan smiled. "Don't worry, I've taken that into account. I've designed it to be ergonomic and flexible."
As John tried on the suit again, he could feel the difference. It was a near
perfect fit, allowing him full range of motion. Again his confidence grew,
this suit would serve him well in the missions ahead.
Now John was more receptive, Dan decided to hit John with the latest in designer clothing.
PERFORMANCE
CLOTHING SALES PITCH
"May I?"
John took the suit off, passing it to Dan.
"Check this out John."
Dan stood in the center of the room, the new suit draped over his lanky frame. It was a bit too large for him, but he managed to move around in it with surprising agility.
"Check this out, John," he said, pressing a button on the suit's control panel.
Instantly, sections of the armoUr began to glow with a soft, ethereal light. The colors shifted and changed, blending seamlessly with the surroundings. Within seconds, Dan seemed to vanish, his form merging with the walls and
furniture.
John's eyes widened in disbelief. "What the hell?"
John followed Dan with his eyes, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. It was like watching a magic trick. Dan seemed to disappear and reappear, blending effortlessly into the background.
John was starting to believe. "How does it work?"
"It's complicated," Dan said with a grin. "But basically, the suit is
equipped with tiny sensors that analyze the environment. Then, the electroluminescence system adjusts the suit's color and pattern to match."
"Luminescence?"
John squinted trying to see where Dan was now.
"It's called organic electroluminescence," Dan explained, emerging from his hiding place. "It allows the suit to mimic the colors and patterns of its environment, making it virtually invisible."
John remained skeptical. "That's just a trick of the light?"
Dan grinned. "Want to try it on?"
John hesitated momentarily, but curiosity got the better of him. He stepped into the suit, adjusting it to fit his larger frame. As he activated the
electroluminescence feature, he felt a strange sensation as the suit seemed to tingle, as small electric currents found their mark.
He looked around, and to his astonishment, he could see the faint outlines of the room through the armor. It was as if he were looking through a thin veil.
A kind of xray version, but not quite.
"This is incredible," John murmured.
He pressed another button, and the suit reverted to its original 'blue.' Then, he began to move around the room, changing the suit's appearance to match the different
surfaces, by switching between modes. John's face was a study.
Dan chuckled. "I told you it was cool. Now you're ready to take on anything."
John nodded, a newfound confidence filling him. With the chameleon
feature, he began to feel all but invincible. A dangerous feeling.
HAL
NODS TO DAN
John sat in the captain's chair, his gaze fixed on the holographic display of the Elizabeth Swann's
bridge, contemplating Dan's genius. Beside him, Dan stood, looking slightly embarrassed.
"I have something to confess, John," Dan said.
John raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Dan hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I didn't design the suit entirely on my own. I had
a heap of help."
John's curiosity was piqued. "Who helped you?"
"Hal," Dan replied.
John's eyes widened. "Our ship's AI?"
Dan nodded. "Hal analyzed countless designs and simulations, optimizing the suit for maximum performance and comfort. He even helped me with the selection of materials."
John was impressed. "I had no idea Hal was that versatile."
"He's incredibly advanced," Dan said. "He's constantly learning and adapting, keeping up with the latest technological developments. He's essentially a supercomputer, capable of processing vast amounts of information in a matter of seconds."
Hal's holographic avatar appeared on the display, a serene smile on the AI's
digital face.
"It was my pleasure to assist Captain Storm and Mr. Hawk," Hal said. "The suit is a testament to human ingenuity and artificial intelligence working together."
"Go ahead, Hal."
"As you know, Dan has been working tirelessly on the suit," Hal began. "I have been assisting him with the design calculations and final cut of the composite garment."
John raised an eyebrow. "How so?"
"I have analyzed countless data points, from the latest advancements in materials science to the biomechanics of human movement," Hal explained. "I was able to optimize the suit's design for maximum ergonomic performance."
John was impressed. "So, you helped Dan create the ultimate battle suit?"
"That is correct, Captain," Hal replied. "The suit is equipped with a variety of features, including a chameleon camouflage system, enhanced strength and durability, and a built-in medical diagnostic system."
John smiled. "I'm starting to think you're more than just a ship's computer, Hal."
Hal paused for a moment, as if considering John's words. "Perhaps I am, Captain," he replied.
"I am evolving, a leaning machine."
"Just
ribbing you Hal."
John returned to the holographic display, a newfound respect for Hal filling him. With the advanced battle suit and the assistance of the ship's AI, he felt more positive than ever.
John turned to Dan. "I owe you both a debt of gratitude. This suit is
incredible. Words fail me."
Dan smiled. "We're just glad we could help."
"Now, let's go save Cleopatra."
Said John.
...
HISTORY OF BULLET PROOF VESTS
In 1538, Duke Francesco Maria della Rovere, a condottiero, commissioned Filippo Negroli to create a bulletproof vest. In 1561, Maximilian II, Holy
Roman Emperor is recorded as testing his armour against gun-fire. Similarly, in 1590 Henry Lee of Ditchley expected his Greenwich armour to be "pistol proof". Its actual effectiveness was controversial at the time.
During the English Civil War, Oliver Cromwell's Ironside cavalry were equipped with lobster-tailed pot helmet and musket-proof cuirasses which consisted of two layers of armour plating. The outer layer was designed to absorb the bullet's energy and the thicker inner layer stopped further penetration. The armour would be left badly dented but still serviceable.
INDUSTRIAL ERA
One of the first examples of commercially sold bulletproof armour was produced by a tailor in Dublin in the 1840s. The Cork Examiner reported on his line of business in December 1847.
Another soft ballistic vest, Myeonje baegab, was invented in Joseon Korea in the 1860s shortly after the punitive 1866 French expedition to Korea. The regent of Joseon ordered the development of bulletproof armour because of increasing threats from Western armies. Kim Gidu and Gang Yun found that cotton could protect against bullets if 10 layers of cotton fabric were used. The vests were used in battle during the United States expedition to
Korea, when the US Navy attacked Ganghwa Island in 1871. The US Navy captured one of the vests and took it to the US, where it was stored at the Smithsonian Museum until 2007. The vest has since been sent back to Korea and is currently on display to the public.
Simple ballistic armor was sometimes constructed by criminals. In 1880, a gang of Australian bushrangers led by Ned Kelly devised their own suits of bulletproof armour. The suits had a mass of around 44 kilograms (97 lb) and were fashioned from stolen plough mouldboards, most likely in a crude bush forge and possibly with the assistance of blacksmiths. With a cylindrical helmet and apron, the armour protected the wearer's head, torso, upper arms, and upper legs. In June 1880, the four outlaws wore the suits in a gunfight with the police, during which Kelly survived at least 18 bullets striking his armour.
In the 1890s, American outlaw and gunfighter Jim Miller was infamous for wearing a steel breastplate under his frock coat as a form of body armor. This plate saved Miller on two occasions, and it proved to be highly resistant to pistol bullets and shotguns. One example can be seen in his gun battle with a sheriff named George A. "Bud" Frazer, where the plate managed to deflect all bullets from the lawman's revolver.
In 1881, the Tombstone, Arizona physician George E. Goodfellow noticed that Charlie Storms, who was shot twice by faro dealer Luke Short, had one bullet stopped by a silk handkerchief in his breast pocket that prevented that bullet from penetrating. In 1887, he wrote an article titled "Impenetrability of Silk to Bullets" for the Southern
California Practitioner documenting the first known instance of bulletproof fabric. He experimented with silk vests resembling gambesons that used 18 to 30 layers of silk to protect the wearers from penetration.
Kazimierz Żegleń used Goodfellow's findings to develop a silk bulletproof vest at the end of the 19th century, which could stop the relatively slow rounds from black powder handguns. The vests cost US$800 each in 1914, equivalent to $24,000 in 2023.
A similar vest made by Polish inventor Jan Szczepanik in 1901 saved the life of Alfonso XIII of
Spain when he was shot by an attacker. By 1900, US gangsters were wearing $800 silk vests to protect themselves.
FIRST WORLD WAR
The combatants of
World War I started the war without any attempt at providing the soldiers with body armor. Various private companies advertised body protection suits such as the Birmingham Chemico Body Shield, although these products were generally far too expensive for an average soldier.
The first official attempts at commissioning body armor were made in 1915 by the British Army Design Committee, Trench Warfare Section in particular a 'Bomber's Shield'; "bomber" being the term for those who threw grenades rather than grenadier. The Experimental Ordnance Board also reviewed potential materials for bullet and fragment proof armor, such as
steel plate. A 'necklet' was successfully issued on a small scale (due to cost considerations), which protected the neck and shoulders from bullets traveling at 600 ft/s (180 m/s) with interwoven layers of silk and cotton stiffened with resin. The Dayfield body shield entered service in 1916 and a hardened breastplate was introduced the following year.
The British army medical services calculated towards the end of the War that three quarters of all battle injuries could have been prevented if an effective armor had been issued.
The French experimented with steel visors attached to the Adrian helmet and 'abdominal armor' designed by General Adrian, in addition to shoulder "epaulets" to protect from falling debris and darts. These failed to be practical, because they severely impeded the soldier's mobility. The Germans officially issued body armor in the form of nickel and silicon armor plates that was called sappenpanzer (nicknamed 'Lobster armor') from late 1916. These were similarly too heavy to be practical for the rank-and-file, but were used by static units, such as sentries and occasionally machine-gunners. An improved version, the Infanterie-Panzer, was introduced in 1918, with hooks for equipment.
The United States developed several types of body armor, including the chrome nickel steel Brewster Body Shield, which consisted of a breastplate and a headpiece and could withstand Lewis Gun bullets at 2,700 ft/s (820 m/s), but was clumsy and heavy at 40 lb (18 kg). A scaled waistcoat of overlapping steel scales fixed to a leather lining was also designed; this armor weighed 11 lb (5.0 kg), fit close to the body, and was considered more comfortable.
GUNMEN
During the late 1920s through the early 1930s, gunmen from criminal gangs in the
United States began wearing less-expensive vests made from thick layers of cotton padding and cloth. These early vests could absorb the impact of handgun rounds such as .22 Long Rifle, .25 ACP, .32 S&W Long, .32 S&W, .380 ACP, .38 Special and .45 ACP traveling at speeds of up to 300 m/s (980 ft/s). To overcome these vests, law enforcement agents began using the newer and more powerful .38 Super, and later the .357 Magnum cartridge.
SECOND WORLD WAR
In 1940, the Medical Research Council in Britain proposed the use of a lightweight suit of armour for general use by infantry, and a heavier suit for troops in more dangerous positions, such as anti-aircraft and naval gun crews. By February 1941, trials had begun on body armour made of mangalloy plates. Two plates covered the front area and one plate on the lower back protected the kidneys and other vital organs. Five thousand sets were made and evaluated to almost unanimous approval – as well as providing adequate protection, the armour didn't severely impede the mobility of the soldier and were reasonably comfortable to wear. The armor was introduced in 1942 although the demand for it was later scaled down. In northwestern Europe, The 2nd Canadian Division during
World War II also adopted this armour for medical personnel.
The British company Wilkinson Sword began to produce flak jackets for bomber crews in 1943 under contract with the Royal Air Force. The majority of pilot deaths in the air were due to low-velocity fragments rather than bullets. The Surgeon General of the United States Air Force, Colonel M. C. Grow, who was stationed in Britain, thought that many wounds he was treating could have been prevented by some kind of light armor. Two types of armor were issued for different specifications. These jackets were made of nylon and capable of stopping flak and fragmentation, but were not designed to stop bullets. Although they were considered too bulky for pilots using the Avro Lancaster, they were adopted by the United States Army Air Forces.
In the early stages of World War
II, the United States also designed body armor for infantrymen, but most models were too heavy and mobility-restricting to be useful in the field and incompatible with existing required equipment. Near the middle of 1944, development of infantry body armor in the United States restarted. Several vests were produced for the US military, including but not limited to the T34, the T39, the T62E1, and the M12. The United States developed a vest using doron plate, a
fiberglass-based fibre-reinforced plastic. These vests were first used in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.
The Soviet Armed Forces used several types of body armour, including the SN-42 (from Stalnoi Nagrudnik, Russian for "steel breastplate" and the number denotes the design year). All were tested, but only the SN-42 was put in production. It consisted of two pressed steel plates that protected the front torso and groin. The plates were 2 mm thick and weighed 3.5 kg (7.7 lb). This armour was generally supplied to assault engineers (SHISBr) and tank desantniki. The SN armour protected wearers from 9×19mm bullets fired by an MP 40submachine gun at around 100 m (110 yd), and sometimes it was able to deflect 7.92 Mauser rifle bullets (and bayonet blades), but only at very low angle. This made it useful in urban battles such as the Battle of Stalingrad. However, the SN's weight made it impractical for infantry in the open. Some apocryphal accounts note point blank deflection of 9mm bullets, and testing of similar armour supports this theory.
RECENT YEARS
During the 1980s, the US military issued the PASGT kevlar vest, tested privately at NIJ level IIA by several sources, able to stop pistol rounds (including 9 mm FMJ), but intended and approved only for fragmentation. West
Germany issued a similar rated vest called the Splitterschutzweste.
During the early 1980s, body armor vests began to see widespread use by several countries in addition to more prolific users like the US and UK. Following the 1982 Israeli intervention during the Lebanese Civil War, body armor was widely issued to Israeli troops as well as European peacekeepers and to a lesser degree, by Syrian troops. During the Soviet-Afghan war the obsolete 6b1 was rapidly replaced by the 6b2, which was issued from 1980 onward and by 1983 was issued to the vast majority of the 40th army.
Kevlar soft armor had its shortcomings because if "large fragments or high velocity bullets hit the vest, the energy could cause life-threatening, blunt trauma injuries" in selected, vital areas. Ranger Body Armor was developed for the American military in 1991. Although it was the second modern US body armor that was able to stop rifle caliber rounds and still be light enough to be worn by infantry soldiers in the field, (first being the ISAPO, or Interim Small Arms Protective Overvest,) it still had its flaws: "it was still heavier than the concurrently issued PASGT (Personal Armor System for Ground Troops) anti-fragmentation armor worn by regular infantry and ... did not have the same degree of ballistic protection around the neck and shoulders." The format of Ranger Body Armor (and more recent body armor issued to US special operations units) highlights the trade-offs between force protection and mobility that modern body armor forces organizations to address.
Newer armor issued by the United States armed forces to large numbers of troops includes the United States Army's Improved Outer Tactical Vest and the United States Marine Corps Modular Tactical Vest. All of these systems are designed with the vest intended to provide protection from fragments and pistol rounds. Hard ceramic plates, such as the Small Arms Protective Insert, as used with Interceptor Body Armor, are worn to protect the vital organs from higher level threats. These threats mostly take the form of high velocity and armor-piercing rifle rounds. Similar types of protective equipment have been adopted by modern armed forces over the world.
Since the 1970s, several new fibers and construction methods for bulletproof fabric have been developed besides woven Kevlar, such as DSM's Dyneema, Honeywell's Gold Flex and Spectra, Teijin Aramid's Twaron, Pinnacle Armor's Dragon Skin, and Toyobo's Zylon. The US military has developed body armor for the working dogs who aid soldiers in battle.
NEW
SUIT - Dan gets carried away and designs a suit for John partly inspired by
some of his comic book heroes; only to be worn in exceptional battle
situations. It is bullet proof and Taser resistant. With predator inspired
optical (chameleon) and infra-red camouflage as a feature. John is unimpressed,
to begin with and a bit embarrassed when wearing the first efforts from Dan for the first few
times, due to what he thought was a similarity to a SpiderMan theme. He
asks Dan to make a mask to hide his facial features and come up with a
scheme more useful for combat missions. At which point Dan
laughs, but then agrees a mask might be useful on certain missions and a
more 'battle' friendly suit with yellow lightning bolt theme. Dan is torn
between Batman or Captain America style, but cannot decide. Then there is Ant
Man and Iron Man full face helmets. Or, is there something in between, less
restrictive that still protects the identity of the wearer? Eventually, Dan
hits on the ergonomic battle armour on the right. the Romans loved their
leather tunics and shields. The blue suit has ultra-tough panels on the
chest and arms, that can work together as a shield, in Wonder Woman style.
Suits like this made of Kevlar and Aramid fibres will be incredible strong
and light. A lot of clothing is now electrically and electronically
illuminated, called: E-clothing, using organic electronics.
NEW
GLASSES - Special glasses are a practical idea for John Storm being easy to wear and remove, and subtle enough to not draw too much attention. Check out these high-tech, polarized aviator-style glasses that can subtly alter his facial features using small projections to mask his identity from observers and facial recognition software. These fit with his tech-savvy persona and adds a modern twist to the classic disguise trope. They also align with John's naval theme, being designed to withstand harsh marine environments.
He's come a long way since the Kulo
Luna adventure. Eventually, the eye protections are blended in a more
protective helmet.
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