“For more than 25 years, Honeywell has worked to reduce the weight burden on law enforcement officers through advancements in our Spectra-based ballistics products,” said Greg Davis, global business manager for body protection, Honeywell Packaging and Composites.

“Extending our Spectra fibre into a high-performance fabric application designed for tactical vests and plate carriers was a perfect fit. Centurion’s fabric design can substantially reduce the weight and bulk of a vest, making the apparel lighter for officers, while at the same time making it easier for vest manufacturers to produce the vests using laser-cutting technologies. We look forward to collaborating with designers to use the new Centurion offerings to create innovative products that continue to reduce the weight burden on law enforcement officers.”

Lightweight and comfortable

The increased supply helps meet growing global demand—including the European market—for law enforcement clothing and gear that is lightweight and comfortable. Agencies around the world are transitioning to new standards that lighten the load officers must carry.

Centurion-made tactical vests can be 35 to 40% lighter because they do not require extra fabric or webbing. The Centurion fabric is laser-cut according to user preference, resulting in slits along the vests from which officers can attach gear as needed. Since straps such as traditional Molle straps do not need be sewn into these vests, they are lighter and more comfortable for officers to wear.

Pound for pound, Spectra is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float, according to the manufacturer. It is said to have up to 60% greater strength than alternate aramid fibre. Spectra fibre’s strength is designed to enable Centurion-made vests, plates carriers and other products to not only be lighter, but also resistant to cuts, abrasion and water, making them suitable for many tough environments.

Spectra fibre

Spectra fibre is made from ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene using a patented gel-spinning process. It is used to create Spectra Shield, an advanced ballistic-resistant composite material. Honeywell’s Shield technology is a patented Honeywell process designed to optimise the ballistic performance characteristics of Spectra, as well as aramid fibre in Gold Shield materials.

Spectra Shield and Gold Shield products have been widely adopted for the most advanced armour applications, from bullet-resistant vests, breast plates and helmets to combat vehicles and military aircraft. Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fibre and ballistic materials research programme focused on continuous improvement and development of high-performance materials.

www.honeywell-spectra.com