May 5th, 2023
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It’s impossible to overstate the importance of a ballistic shield in a world where threats to the safety of our federal law enforcement and military personnel are ever-present. Whether it’s a high-risk search warrant or a hostage rescue mission, a ballistic shield is an indispensable tool for ensuring the safety of those in the line of duty.
Whether you’re a federal agent or a military service member, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about ballistic shields. We invite you to join us on a journey through the world of ballistic shields as we explore the cutting-edge tools that protect those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect us.
A ballistic shield is a piece of protective equipment designed to provide protection from particles, fragmentation or projectiles. Typically, manufacturers make them from transparent and opaque steel armor capable of withstanding bullets and shrapnel.
While ballistic shields can protect against bullets, they are not entirely bulletproof. A ballistic shield’s resistance depends on its design and the materials used in its construction. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has established a series of standards defining the protection level provided by different types of protective materials, which include ballistic shields. These range from Level II to Level IV, and each provides progressively higher protection.
Ballistic shields come in various shapes and sizes. Some have wheels, such as our Mobile Defensive Fighting Positions, which provide head-to-toe protection on a mobile platform. Others are heavy-duty, permanent installations in high-security areas and checkpoints. Additionally, others are mounted on vehicles or used as extra protection on a wall or railing. Ballistic shields can also come equipped with additional awareness such as LRAD acoustic hailing devices to improve communication between team members.
Ballistic shields are a critical tool for those who work in high-risk situations. While these shields are not wholly bulletproof, manufacturers design them to adhere to the NIJ ballistic protection levels.
While ballistic and riot shields have similar benefits, there are some critical differences between them.
In summary, while both shields are essential tools, they serve different purposes. Officers and military personnel need to understand the differences between the two types of shields and choose the appropriate one for the situation at hand.
Ballistic shields are a vital tool for various government agencies, including the military and law enforcement. Ballistic shields provide vital protection at access and entry control points, government buildings, and at border and security checkpoints. In many circumstances, ballistic shields also provide critical protection against ballistic threats such as bullets, blasts and fragmentation.
In particular, the federal government has a significant need for ballistic shields. Federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA and ATF are responsible for investigating and preventing several criminal activities, including terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime.
Employees of these agencies often work in high-risk situations where they may encounter armed criminals or face the threat of explosive devices. Heavy-duty mobile or permanently installed ballistic shields can provide critical protection for agents and officers in these situations, allowing them to safely approach and neutralize potential threats.
In addition to federal law enforcement agencies, the military extensively uses ballistic shields. Service members on the front lines face a wide range of threats, including small-arms fire and improvised explosive devices. Ballistic shields can provide a critical layer of protection for Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen as they maneuver in combat zones.
In conjunction with ballistic shields, the military and federal agencies can also use ballistically certified furniture such as ballistic podiums, partitions, safe benches and safe desks to enhance their experience. Additionally, Defenshield offers camography — a proprietary method to increase your product’s effectiveness. Camography will help users blend into the surroundings of these government environments.
Transportation agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration and Airport Law Enforcement also require ballistic shields. These agencies protect critical infrastructure, such as airports and seaports, which terrorist organizations or other malicious actors may target. Ballistic shields can benefit security personnel who need to identify and overcome potential threats.
Overall, ballistic shields are a critical tool for federal agencies. They provide a crucial layer of protection for personnel who work in high-risk situations and are ideal for access control. As threats evolve, ballistic shields will likely play an essential role in protecting government personnel and assets.
In addition to federal agencies, ballistic shields are also used extensively by state governments by agencies such as the National Guard , the courts, corrections, and in private industry such as banking, energy generation, nuclear, and transportation such as airports, bus, and train stations
Ballistic shields protect against threats such as bullets and shrapnel. They work by absorbing and dissipating the incoming projectile’s energy, reducing its ability to penetrate the shield and cause harm.
When a projectile strikes a ballistic shield, the shield’s material will begin to deform and absorb the energy of the impact. This deformation helps spread out the impact’s force and decreases the pressure on any one area of the shield. In high-performance polyethylene, fibers in the material will also begin to stretch and absorb energy, further lessening the impact force.
A ballistic shield’s specific design will depend on its intended use and the protection it provides. Generally, ballistic shields consist of a combination of materials such as steel, glass, Kevlar, Dyneema and ceramics. Experts choose these materials for their ability to absorb and dissipate energy and withstand high-velocity impacts.
Engineers construct ballistic shields according to their intended use and the level of protection they should provide. For example, shields designed to offer extra protection may have multiple layers of materials.
In addition to the materials used to construct the shield, the shape and size also play a role in its effectiveness. A larger shield can provide more coverage and protection, but may also be heavier and bulkier to maneuver.
As gun violence and terrorist threats continue to escalate, bulletproof protection has become increasingly crucial for individuals and organizations, including the federal government. Statistically, the number of mass shootings in the U.S. has gone up in recent years.
Ballistic shields provide a crucial layer of protection in situations where people may be at risk of gunfire or other ballistic threats. Users can use ballistic shields for access control to keep humans and sensitive areas safe from harm. By providing a physical barrier between a shooter and their intended target, ballistic shields can save lives and prevent injuries.
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The federal government and its agencies protect Americans from these threats. By investing in ballistic shields and other protective equipment, the government can ensure the safety of its employees and the public.
Several factors influence the correct ballistic shield choice. A durable shield can provide essential protection in high-risk situations, so you must choose one that meets your specific needs. Here are some things to consider when selecting a ballistic shield.
Overall, selecting the right ballistic shield requires careful consideration of several vital factors. You can choose a shield that provides the necessary protection and durability for your specific situation by assessing your needs and evaluating different options.
Ballistic shields are essential for those who work in a variety of situations where gun violence and terrorist threats are common. A ballistic shield provides much-needed protection in the line of fire, helping law enforcement, military personnel and federal agencies to safeguard the public and maintain order.
When choosing a ballistic shield, it’s crucial to consider factors such as size, weight and attachments to ensure the shield meets your specific needs. Defenshield delivers the highest-quality, combat-proven ballistic protection products, with over 20 years of experience supporting anti-terror or force protection physical security needs for the U.S. government, foreign partners, law enforcement and the private sector.
As a service-disabled veteran-owned company, Defenshield takes great pride in helping protect good guys who are protecting others. Count on us for all your ballistic protection needs. Contact us below for more information.
In the early 2000s, many shields on the market were rectangular with flat fronts (and sometimes with curved edges). This simple, straightforward design stopped select bullets and saved lives. While effective, they were heavy, which made them challenging to hold for extended periods of time. As a result, operator speed and mobility slowed significantly, especially when the situation required the user to cover a lot of ground.
In the past, some departments chose not to use ballistic shields because of this reason. Advancements in materials, however, (including the use of composites, hybrid composites, carbon fiber, Kevlar and ceramic) have significantly reduced shield weight.
In some cases, Level III shields went from 50 lbs (23 kg) to 14 lbs (6 kg) in 10 years. This allows the officer to move around much faster in dynamic threat scenarios while still maintaining the same level of ballistic protection. Essentially, departments can purchase soft armor Level IIIA shields that perform just as well as hard armor Level IIIA shields from 20 years ago with better maneuverability due to their weight and design.
Ballistic shields are available in a variety of sizes and shapes to best protect against specific threats. Depending on the manufacturer, shields can come in a variety of sizes. Some ballistic shields are as small as 16 x 20 inches (41 x 53 cm) for use when there is additional ballistic protection (trees, walls, etc.) nearby. These are designed to protect the torso (vital organs), face and neck while being easy and fast to deploy. They make a lot of sense for patrol officers to have in their car for establishing and maintaining perimeters or entering questionable scenes.
Certain shields are significantly larger at 24 x 48 inches (61 x 122 cm) to offer full body protection. The most common shield sizes tend to be between 20 x 30 inches (51 x 76 cm) and 24 x 36 inches (61 x 91 cm). These offer a combination of protection and mobility. Finally, there are large Level IV rolling shield systems that bring maximum ballistic protection. These provide overhead protection and can protect multiple officers at the same time. The tradeoff here is increased protection for increased weight along with decreased mobility and speed.
Each unique shape, each unique shape has its own inherent advantages and limitations.
All ballistic shields are designed to stop or deflect bullets fired at their carrier. The materials used impact the weight and protection.
Viewports are the clear windows in shields that allow the operator to see. Like the rest of the shield, the viewport needs to be ultra-durable and bullet resistant. For this reason, viewports are made of stronger materials like polycarbonate.
Technological advancements have resulted in different sized and shaped viewports. In some cases, a small viewport is sufficient to get the job done. Some of the newer shields have viewports that are wider and taller so that the operator can see straight ahead, laterally and up and down. This added visibility increases the officer’s safety and provides them with the tactical advantage of having eyes on the threat at all times.
Not all ballistic shields have a viewport. In some cases, the viewport can be the heaviest part of the shield. In addition, any scratches or damage to the viewport will limit vision.
Up until recently, most ballistic shields were only available in black so as not to draw much attention. Recently, additional colors have become available in select shields including Tan, Coyote, Ranger Green, Multi Cam and Multi Cam Black. Some shields have Kevlar-looking finishes. Some shields are painted so as to refract NIR (near infrared), which prevents some night vision goggles (NVGs) from being able to see the shield (and user behind it).
Some manufacturers introduced transparent ballistic shields made of polycarbonate laminate. These include the Blue Ridge Armor Clear-Guard , Safariland Hi-VIZ Type IIIA Shield and METT-T LLC TAC Shield that offer Level IIIA protection. Their transparent design minimizes visual obstructions and helps the officer better see trip hazards and identify threats.
Handle systems determine how a shield is carried. This critical design feature therefore impacts the firearms and shooting styles used. Departments have different carrying carrying methods and some unique handle designs can accommodate multiple preferences.
The best handle design will vary based on each agency's SOP (standard operating procedure) for training and shield carrying method. Many of the handle systems have a solid 2 position or 3 position carry method that allows for single and dual handed operation. An ambidextrous handle design allows right and left handed operators to carry a shield without having to make adjustments on the handle. Ergonomic additions like high density forearm pads add comfort when carrying the shield and reduce backface injuries to the forearm.
Different handle options are available:
Handles used to be simple plastic or metal attachments. Nowadays, these handles are made of aluminum, polycarbonate or composite materials. In some cases, handles are even integrated into components like lighting systems for a more streamlined design.
Like anything else, sometimes handles break and need to be replaced. Select manufacturers offer replacement handles. Consult the manufacturer recommendations and warranty before purchasing or installing a unique handle system to an existing shield.
Thanks so much to Tracey Willmott, Mario Cugini, Phillip Spencer, Mark Cardey (The Safariland Group), Paul Banducci (United Shield International), Mike Ott (Point Blank Enterprises), Chris Sfedu (EDI-USA) and HighCom Armor for their assistance with this article.
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