Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
correspondents, VIPs during an evacuation, or trained private security
teams. Several of these helmet designs accommodate earpieces worn both
by special operations operatives and reporters.
SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
To our knowledge, our company, Global Security Group, LLC, is the only
private consulting company that will do a threat assessment and identify,
through ballistic testing, the appropriate armor products to meet the per-
ceived threat. However, before we make specific product recommenda-
tions, we offer this caveat. Technology in the field of ballistic armor is
advancing at a rapid pace. It is likely that even within the short space of
several years more effective products will be available that will be lighter,
stronger, and more flexible. That being said, in our opinion the best bal-
listic product available today for use in soft body armor is a material
known as Zylon shield. Zylon shield differs from woven Zylon, which we
do not recommend. Zylon shield was successfully tested by both the FBI
and DEA and was rated as the most effective ballistic package for its com-
bination of strength and lightness. It was accepted as the gold standard
for vests used by the DEA regional enforcement teams as well as the FBI's
elite hostage rescue team (HRT).
The exact number of Zylon shield plies in the armor used by the DEA
and HRT is confidential. This product is available to civilian purchasers
and is ideally suited for use as the ballistic material in both concealable
and tactical armor. For procurement information, see Appendix B on this
topic's website (for website access details, see page iii).
Realize, however, that older technology continues to be quite effective.
If weight is not a critical factor in your selection process, then Kevlar, pro-
viding it is enclosed in a waterproof package, is still a good choice.
OTHER BALLISTIC EQUIPMENT
Other items worth considering are ballistic shields and bomb blankets.
Both have very specific uses in tactical operation and also can provide
cover during an evacuation or rescue. Bomb blankets are effective to
shield an area from the effects of a bomb blast and also can be used to
provide emergency cover if an area comes under small arms fire. Protech
