India’s DRDO, IIT Delhi develop ABHED LightWeight Bullet Proof Jackets

India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), along with researchers of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has developed Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets named ABHED (Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat).

About ABHED Jackets

Material

These jackets have been created from polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic material.

Design

• The design configuration is based on characterisation of various materials at high strain rate followed by appropriate modeling and simulation in collaboration with DRDO.
• The armor plates for the jackets have passed all necessary R&D trials as per the protocols.
• The jackets meet the highest threat levels, and are lighter than the maximum weight limits stipulated in respective General Staff Qualitative Requirement of the Indian Army.
• With minimum possible weight of 8.2 kgs and 9.5 kgs for different BIS Levels, these modular-design jackets having front and rear armours provide 360o protection.

Salient Features

• Modular configurations and 360° protection
• Ergonomic design for Indian soldiers and security forces
• Total protection area ~3400 cm2
• Consists of rigid Hard Armour Panels (HAP), flexible Soft Armour Panels (SAPs) and carrier to accommodate HAPs and SAPs.

ABHED BIS Level 5

• Weight 8kg
• Front HAP strike face defeats 8 Hardened steel core bullets of AK47 with BFS less than 25 mm
• Back, sides, Groin and Neck defeats SLR and AK47 Mild steel core bullets with BFS less than 25mm
• Protection against AK-47: Hard Steel Core (HSC), Mild Steel Core (MSC) bullets and SLR bullets

ABHED BIS Level 6

• Weight 9.3 kg
• Front HAP strike face defeats 6 Sniper bullets with BFS less than 25mm
• Back, sides, Groin and Neck defeats SLR and AK47 Mild steel core bullets with BFS less than 25mm
• Protection against AK-47: HSC, MSC bullets, SLR bullets and 7.62x54R Dragunov API ammunition.

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization)

DRDO was formed in 1958 by merging the then-existing Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).

Responsibilities and Mandate of DRDO

• DRDO is responsible for the indigenous design, development and production of state-of-the-art weapon systems required by the Armed Forces.
• Its mandate is to provide futuristic defense technologies in areas like missiles, armaments, electronics, combat vehicles, etc.
• DRDO also develops countermeasures for NBC threats, advanced materials, robotics, artificial intelligence, etc. for national security.
• It supports partner Indian industries using Transfer of Technology to enhance the technical capabilities of the defense ecosystem to make it globally competitive.