Body Armor in 2026: A Clear, Practical Guide for Law Enforcement and Public Safety Professionals
The ballistic body armor market is evolving faster than at any point in the past two decades. As standards transition, supply chains globalize, and marketing claims multiply, selecting effective protection has become increasingly complex. This article provides a practical, standards-aware overview of hard armor, soft armor, helmets, shields, and special threat solutions, focusing on what end users need to understand heading into 2026 to make informed, defensible decisions.
Body Armor Lifecycle Management: How Law Enforcement Can Protect Officers, Preserve Trust, and Avoid Silent Failures
Body armor is not a static asset. It is a life-saving system whose performance depends on how it is selected, issued, worn, stored, inspected, and retired over time. Most armor failures do not happen suddenly or dramatically. They emerge quietly—through expired warranties, undocumented damage, misunderstood care requirements, and shifting standards that go unnoticed. These gaps are rarely the result of negligence. They are failures of lifecycle management.