Why Body Armor Hasn't Made Guns Obsolete: A Closer Look

Body armor has been a significant development in modern warfare, significantly enhancing the survivability of soldiers on the battlefield. However, despite its advancements, body armor has not yet made firearms obsolete. This article explores the reasons behind this, focusing on the limitations of modern body armor, ongoing developments in gun technology, and the challenges associated with complete protection.

The Limitations of Current Body Armor

Body armor, such as that produced by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), protects against a wide range of threats but has several inherent limitations. For instance, most body armor covers only the majority of the torso, leaving essential areas like the legs, arms, and head vulnerable. This exposure means that even if a soldier is wearing top-tier body armor, they can still be injured or killed by gunfire targeting those unprotected areas.

Full Body Coverage and Its Challenges

Let's consider the daunting task of achieving full body coverage with body armor. An average male has a body surface area of approximately 1.9 square meters. If we optimistically assume that we can reduce this coverage to 1.5 square meters, that's a significant challenge in itself. Even then, we still need to account for various anatomical configurations, joint movement, and the durability required to resist modern bullet impacts.

Threats and Their Implications

When designing body armor to resist threats like 30-06 projectiles, which are common in NATO and Russian-made marksmen rifles firing AP (Armor-Piercing) ammunition, we face several hurdles. First, these bullets are designed to penetrate body armor and other hard targets. Even with the best armor available, such as NIJ Level IV plates, adding padding and other necessary components would dramatically increase the weight. This additional weight would severely impact mobility and make it nearly impossible for soldiers to function effectively on the battlefield.

Advancing Gun Technology

Another factor that complicates the effectiveness of body armor is the continuous development of firearms. For instance, the US Navy's Next Generation Small Arms Weapon (NGSW) project and Russia's ongoing efforts to create new high-velocity rounds demonstrate the relentless pursuit of more lethal and penetrating ammunition. These advancements not only challenge the protective capabilities of current body armor but also introduce new and more dangerous threats on the battlefield.

Examples of Advanced Ammunition

One example of advanced ammunition is the depleted uranium penetrator. These rounds are designed to damage and penetrate even the toughest body armor. The US Military's M855A1 ammunition, an improved version of the M855 round, offers better penetration capabilities. Additionally, APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) rounds, typically used in tank-fired weapons, are even more potent. These rounds are designed to penetrate armor effectively and could potentially defeat the best body armor currently available.

Barrelled and Heavy Guns on the Battlefield

For those who might think that advanced body armor can protect against a modern 50-cal Barrett rifle or similar heavy-caliber weapons, the answer is no. Barrett rifles are specifically designed to penetrate thick armor and vehicle-resistant materials, making such ricochets or penetrations highly unlikely, even if the bullet is deflected by body armor.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while body armor has made significant strides in enhancing soldier survivability, it has not rendered firearms obsolete due to the inherent limitations of full body coverage and the ongoing advancements in gun technology. The balance between providing adequate protection and maintaining mobility and effectiveness remains a challenging task for military engineers and tactical planners alike. As long as there is a need for firearms on the battlefield, the evolution of body armor and firearms will continue to be a critical area of focus.