Flak vests and jackets are designed to keep soldiers safe from flying shrapnel and low-velocity projectiles.
Flak jackets are used by military forces to protect troops from bullets, any indirect projectile or shrapnel from an enemy attack. Wilkinson Sword was the first company to develop flak jackets to protect the British air force the shrapnel of the German anti-aircraft guns in World War II. Later, flak jackets evolved from heavy nylon jacket with minimum protection to light weight Flecktarn flak vests with titanium jackets, some models of which are capable of stopping high-velocity projectiles.
Flak Jacket History
Flecktarn vests are manufactured by several companies, including FHM, Strum, Ruger & Co. Inc., Syderco and Surefire. Flecktarn vests have been on the forefront of technologically advanced vests and bulletproof jackets. Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. is one of the leading manufacturers of flecktarn vests and other firearms. Based in Connecticut, Ruger is the U.S.'s fourth largest manufacturer of firearms. Ruger was founded in 1949 by William Ruger and Alexander McCormick Sturm. They started off in a small shop by manufacturing pistols and revolvers.
Flektarn Vest Weight
Flecktarn vests are designed as lightweight vests that protects the soldier from enemy shrapnel and shells. The vests also feature many pockets, so they can carry large amounts of small combat tools such as hand weapons, additional ammunition, hand explosives and more. The vest is designed for convenience, so that a soldier can access pockets without posing any hindrance to combat. The weight of the Flecktarn vest varies slightly with the change in the depth and length of the vest. Generally, the weight of the Flecktarn flask vest that fits an average-sized man is about eight to 10 pounds, and can be adjusted according to the needs of the soldier.
Vest Materials
Flak vest are not generally meant to stop bullets and gunshots, but rather for the artillery shells, splinters, low-velocity shrapnel, indirect projectiles and mine fragments. Initially, flak vests didn't offer that much protection against high-velocity projectiles, but advanced flak vests have components that can withstand gunshots and rifle fire to some extent, and can absorb high-velocity projectiles. The materials used in the modern flak vests are titanium, polyethylene, ceramic plates and steel plates that provide adequate protection to the soldiers. Titanium and polyethylene make the vests lightweight and soldier-friendly.
Vest Ratings
Flecktarn flak vests are rated as one of the best types of ballistic vests. Other ballistic vests are bulky and do not provide protection to the ribs and sides of the body, but Flecktarn flak vests provide protection almost to every part of the torso, and are lightweight compared to other vests. Early versions of body armor vest weighed more than 20 pounds, which many soldiers considered too heavy and restrictive to their combat duties.
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