The Operating Reality for Small U.S. Body Armor Manufacturers Entering 2026
As small and mid-sized U.S. body armor manufacturers enter 2026, the market is clearer and less forgiving. Costs remain elevated, regulatory transitions are unresolved, and market noise has not corrected itself. This analysis explains why these pressures are now structural rather than temporary, and how disciplined manufacturers are responding through verification, compliance maturity, and operational rigor.
The 5 IntelAlytic Insights That Defined the Body Armor Industry in 2025
2025 was a turning point for the body armor industry. Supply chains tightened, standards confusion delayed procurements, and compliance claims were tested in real time. This intelligence review brings together IntelAlytic’s most impactful insights from the year, grounded in real advisory work across procurement, compliance, and standards interpretation, and outlines what agencies and manufacturers need to understand as they plan for 2026.