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Aussie scientists make artificial silk
Scientists have for decades tried to find a way artificially to produce insect silk; Aussie scientists report they have found a method to do so; the tough, lightweight textiles could be used in personal protection equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets, and in many other applications
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How much is that armored Armani? Bogota taylor specialize in bulletproof fashion wear
Talk about a fashion statement. The latest hot thing in Colombia: bulletproof fashion wear; Bogota tailor counts many South American leading politicians – and their wives – among his clients; the tailor, Miguel Caballero, says that he sees a receptive U.S. constituency for his ware: “the hip-hop people maybe will be a big market"; if you want to apply for a job with Caballero, be warned: after a garment is finished, a company employee puts it on and the company owner shoots the employee; if the employee survives, the garment is sold to the celebrity who placed the order for it
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Stab-proof vests for soccer fans going to South Africa for the World Cup
This summer’s soccer World Cup in South Africa is going to be poorly attended because many soccer fans have decided not to make the trip: they are not convinced they will be safe in the crime-ridden country; a London-based company hopes to capitalize on this fear by offering soccer fans stab-proof vests; the South African authorities condemn the venture
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In the trenchesU.S. Army emphasizes new body armor
The U.S. Army wants better armor for its soldiers; weight has long been an issue with the body armor the Pentagon issues to troops, and the Pentagon has signed an $18.6-million contract with KDH Defense Systems to send 57,000 new, lighter plate carriers to Afghanistan to decrease the load soldiers carry
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In the trenchesU.S. Army hopes helmet-mounted radar will help soldiers
Helmet-mounted radar can see through fog, smoke, and dust, and works just as well in pitch darkness; it may also have the ability to see through foliage-- and through walls
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Exoskeletons ready for troop tests in 2010
Designer of the exoskeleton demonstrates invention for journalists; a wearer can hang a 200 lb backpack from the back frame and heavy chest armor and kit from shoulder extensions
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Annals of outrageJustice sues bulletproof vest manufacturer for using faulty materials
The Justice Department sues Massachusetts-based First Choice Armor for knowingly using faulty material in the bulletproof vests they sold the military and law enforcement; the company used Zylon, which degrades quickly, especially in hot and humid conditions
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DARPA funds see-through vidspecs, war-graffiti project
Lockheed martin turns to Microvision to develop "daylight-readable, see-through, low-profile, ergonomic" color video specs; in addition, the final device should incorporate "voice and tactile command" interfaces, some sort of location system
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New bullet proof vests will be made from cement
University of Leeds researchers say that vests made of cement would offer cost-effective level of protection for many people at risk; it should be good enough for people like security guards, reporters and aid workers who are worried about the odd pot shot being taken at them
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Bomb blanket protects against dirty bomb, blast
Florida company offers a bomb blanket; company says blanket provides level IIIa ballistic protection -- and also "has been proved to block gamma rays, X-rays and nuclear emissions by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory"; blanket costs $15,000
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Shape of things to comeDARPA looks for inertial-nav to be embedded in smart boot's heel
DARPA is funding the development of smart shoes: soldiers and first responders will be equipped with shoes with embedded inertial navigation sensor; sensor will help in keeping track of soldiers, special operatives, and first responders in harsh environments
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Swedish military chief wants fire-proof bras for female pilots
Commander of Swedish military's helicopter fleet demands fire-proof bras for female pilots; male pilots are already provided with fire-retarding underwear, and Group Commander Michael Byden says his guess is that many female pilots wear them for lack of fire-retarding panties
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Shape of things to comeFuture soldiers will wear smart uniforms
Researchers work on equipping future soldiers with uniforms which will be packed with nano-antenna arrays capable of communicating with everything from drones to satellites; on-board computers will let soldiers understand every language -- and every cultural reference -- as if they were natives; flexible, nanofiber uniforms will be all-but-impervious to bullets, flame, and lasers, and will automatically stabilize wounds and use face recognition to distinguish friend from foe; this is just the beginning
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Detroit woman saved from robber's bullet by her bra
Some manufacturers of bras for full-figured women use wiring in their lingerie to offer women more support and prevent what is called "breast spillage"; such wiring offers more than support -- it offers protection
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Soldiers' helmets serve as sniper location system
Commodore researchers develop a networked helmet that help soldiers and first responders fighting in a hazardous urban environment pin-point and display the location of enemy shooters in three dimensions and accurately identify the caliber and type of weapons they are firing
The Long View
Trend: Private security companies grow Growing crime in Central America boon to private security companies
A combination of a dramatic increase in crime -- from drug-related murders to kidnapping for ransom -- and a growing perception that government agencies cannot or would not do much about it, have led to a boom for private security companies in Central and Latin America
