Balance all three: Weight, performance, and comfort

Late November 2014, the World Textile Information Network (WTiN) presented DSM Dyneema with three awards for the development of their Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology platform: Best Innovation—Industrial Textiles; Most Innovative Large Company; and Launch of the Year. It officially launched two years ago (2013) after an exhaustive 30-month development period; the technology can already be found in a number of officers vests. The Dyneema Force Multiplier Technology platform was also presented with the 2014 WorldSafe Safety Product Innovation Award from the Safe America Foundation.

Those who are wearing it already know why.

Force multiplier technology?

We all have a pretty good idea what “force multiplication” means for law enforcement—doing more with less (that old chestnut). More common than not, this comes hand-in-hand with talks of budgets and some gadget to provide vital data in the field. Marrying this concept to ballistic protection may seem odd, but it does make sense and it seemed appropriate to Shitij Chabba, Global Business Segment Director for Life Protection at DSM Dyneema. He says that “‘force multiplier’…refers to an attribute or a factor that would dramatically increase the effectiveness of an item.”

One of the more common issues of the typical body armor package is discomfort, being heavy, bulky, hot, etc. If given the option it’s often said officers would opt to not wear the vest. Many other solutions hope to alleviate these issues.

“Why we started development was to see if we can develop a technology that can enable development of body armor that can be light and comfortable without comprising ballistic protection,” says Chabba.

All three

The weight of typical body armor and plates depend on what kind of thread the design requires. Adjusting how this thread is laid out in production has a profound effect on this attribute.

“I remember the first time the results came I couldn’t believe them. They were so high—our numbers and performance levels—that I truly had to tell my engineers to go back and reshoot the pack and confirm that’s the right performance. And once we got it, then we were like ‘this is special.’ We started seeing the benefits it’s going to do and how it’s going to help…the officers on the street and make their life more comfortable.”

Accomplishing this goal wasn’t as easy as tweaking a current platform. DSM Dyneema scientists had to essentially develop three innovations in one. They began first with engineering a new polymer. From there they designed what Chabba calls “an ultra-strong fiber.” One of the company’s well-known claims is calling Dyneema the world’s strongest fiber—they set out to make it stronger.

Lastly they organized this into a unidirectional (UD) sheet. “We then had to design the UD in a way that you get the high protection, but [it] still stays comfortable [and] flexible,” says Chabba.

In a very simplified way, he explains UD as a plate of spaghetti: instead of noodles it’s the Dyneema yarn. Instead of a disorganized mess, the 100,000’s of yarn “noodles” are spread flat. Those are then run cross-laid with each fiber perpendicular to each other. That process forms the sheet.

This process in the Force Multiplier Technology platform creates a package reportedly 25 percent to 30 percent lighter than comparable solutions (DSM includes their own in this).

A video on their website demonstrates the Force Multiplier Technology platform's flexibility. Flexible might not be the best word here, it flops—an obvious benefit for fit and comfort for men and women alike.

The company also shows ballistic testing conducted to NIJ 3A standards. Rounds include the 44 Magnum SJHP, .357 SIG FMJ FN, .357 Magnum JSP, FSP and RCC frag testing, Winchester Ranger SXT, Wolf 9mm FMJ, as well as a 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev LC.

Spoiler: the video shows zero penetration—even with multiple hits and groupings regardless of placement on the panel.

This is a great example of innovative people putting creative solutions to work to keep you safe ... and comfortable, too.