Comprehensive Understanding of Ballistic Shield Characteristics

When conducting indoor close combat training, the vanguard serves as the pioneer and holds a bulletproof shield to protect his teammates from danger. It has become a standard configuration of the assault team, which fully reflects the importance of the bulletproof shield. So how to better use and apply ballistic shields has become a crucial link in modern urban anti-terrorism operations.

Introduction to bulletproof shields

Bulletproof shield definition

A bulletproof shield refers to a handheld or wheeled plate device that protects part or all of the human body and prevents the penetration of projectiles or fragments. Standards require that bulletproof shield materials should be non-toxic and have no natural harm to the human body to ensure the safety of users during use. At the same time, the materials used in bulletproof shields should not burn when hit. Flames and other phenomena may be encountered during violent explosions. Therefore, the outer surface of the shield should be flame-retardant, and its afterburning time should be less than or equal to 10 seconds.

The inner and outer surfaces of the bulletproof shield should be free of scratches, missing corners, cracks, bubbles, welding slag, oil stains and sharp protrusions. The outer edge of the shield should be smooth and free of burrs, and the surface of the metal material should be anti-corrosion treated. The mass of a handheld shield should not be greater than 6kg, and the mass of a wheeled bulletproof shield should not be greater than 28kg. The protective area of a handheld shield should not be less than 0.12㎡, the protective area of a wheeled bulletproof shield should not be less than 0.48㎡, the minimum side length of a rectangular handheld bulletproof shield should not be less than 350mm, and the minimum side length of a rectangular wheeled bulletproof shield should not be Less than 500mm, the height of the shield from the ground shall not be greater than 50mm.

Common types of police bulletproof shields

Since the emergence of new materials and processes, the manufacturing technology of bulletproof shields has advanced by leaps and bounds. The use of bulletproof shields in China has been increasing. Up to now, a variety of bulletproof shields have appeared. The more common ones in China are:

Handheld bulletproof shield

It is made of super strong fiber materials such as Kevlar aramid and high-strength flame-retardant fiberglass and is pressed using a special process. The product has notable features such as being lightweight and flexible, having good comprehensive ballistic resistance and a high level of ballistic resistance, and has been deployed in large numbers across the country. The more common models include medium-sized ballistic shields held horizontally, small ballistic shields held obliquely, and full-body protective ballistic shields held with both hands.

Wheeled bulletproof shield

Made of high-quality bulletproof steel plate, it has the characteristics of high bulletproof level, good performance and flexible use. The mobile structure of the shield is composed of three universal wheels, which can advance quickly and turn flexibly, making it more convenient to use. It is often used to set up checkpoints at troop posts, military defense areas and important areas. Different models are extended according to different needs.

"Butterfly" type bulletproof shield

This "V"-shaped bulletproof shield is made of new bulletproof materials, which is lightweight and durable. The bulletproof surface consists of two movable bulletproof wings and a main bulletproof pillar, forming a "V" shaped observation and shooting hole above the bulletproof shield. Not only is it convenient for the shield hand to observe the enemy's situation, but also to hold the weapon to aim and shoot; when forcibly breaking into a small space or a slightly opened door, the movable wings press inward against the shield hand, increasing the flexibility of the shield and better protecting the shield hand.

"Briefcase" bulletproof shield

A concealed bulletproof shield specially provided for bodyguards and security personnel. It usually looks like a briefcase. When needed, it can be quickly opened and turned into a bulletproof shield to effectively protect personnel safety.

Extra large bulletproof shield

A rare large bulletproof shield. This bulletproof shield is super large, with wheels installed underneath, and is pushed forward by the shield hand (it can also be mounted on a robot). If necessary, two bulletproof shields of the same height can be installed on both sides of this bulletproof shield, thus providing sufficient protection space for the special police.

Foldable bulletproof shield

A ballistic shield that folds away and can be fully deployed when needed. Available in vertical, horizontal and origami styles. When fighting, it can be opened to provide effective protection for the team members behind the shield. When not in use, it can be folded compactly, making transportation and equipment extremely simple.

Tactical application of bulletproof shields

Urban combat often determines the victory in a split second. At this time, in the assault team that is about to launch an operation, the vanguard holding a bulletproof shield plays a pioneering role, establishing a safety guarantee, and gradually facing the criminals who are getting closer and closer. Eliminating danger fully reflects the importance of the bulletproof shield in tactical operations. It is a very unique weapon that can be used both defensively and offensively, and brings huge advantages to special police operations.

The psychological effects of bulletproof shields

Psychological tactics have a "dispersant" effect on the enemy

In ancient wars, many armies were accustomed to drawing various ghost images on their shields to intimidate the enemy and disturb their minds. Excellent combat teams are well-trained, uniformly dressed, fully armed, holding bulletproof shields, and full of momentum. They have shown that they are stronger than the enemy in terms of momentum, and can "confuse their plans, vent their energy, and seize their ambitions." Force the enemy to have fear, delusion, tension and other negative emotions, making them surrender and disarm, achieving the goal of "conquering the enemy without fighting".

The bulletproof shield is like a needle that fixes the sea and has an "adhesive" effect.

Narrow space operations are a process of gradually eliminating dangers in unknown areas. In this process, the advantages of bulletproof shields are particularly important in bringing a sense of security to combat team members. The leading soldier of the combat team holds a bulletproof shield and leads the team to gradually eliminate unknown areas. , as the danger gradually decreases, one's own side can focus, aspire, integrate emotions, and be full of energy, enhance psychological cohesion, inspire strong will, and enrich combat morale.

Functions of bulletproof shields

Defensive

When searching buildings and street corridors, taking rash actions can easily expose oneself. At this time, let the assault soldiers hold bulletproof shields to build a bunker, which is more conducive to the next step of reconnaissance and search. Especially when you go to the corner of the corridor or break into the house, you are faced with the "funnel of death", and you need the safe break-in guarantee provided by the shield hand to enter the house.

When a passenger plane at an airport is hijacked and negotiations fail to achieve the mission, breaking into the cabin and carrying out a force attack is the last resort in the anti-hijacking battle. The cabin space is small and there are many obstacles. Only the aisle can pass through. Multi-point attacks can easily cause crossfire. At this time, the leading assault soldiers can use bulletproof shields to build bunkers in time, gradually confirm the safe area, and rescue the hostages.

With the popularity of security doors in residential areas, breaking in through the door in reality is no longer as cool as kicking in in the movie. Sometimes it is necessary to take various actions to destroy the door, and such actions cannot be completed in a short time. Assault soldiers are usually arranged to hold bulletproof shields or build a safety bunker in front of the door with the help of bulletproof tapestry to protect the operator's safety. operate.

Tactical support

In assault combat training, changing magazines is one of the required training subjects for special police officers. Assume that there are different situations where the magazine needs to be replaced, and the methods of replacing the magazine are also different according to different situations. At this time, in the assault team, the leading soldier held a bulletproof shield and was always at the forefront of attracting firepower. He first provided an effective bunker with priority for his teammates to change their magazines, and at the same time provided safety guarantee for their teammates.

Versatility of bulletproof shields

After successfully performing the defensive function of the bulletproof shield, in the face of complex and changeable tasks, the function of the bulletproof shield is no longer just for bulletproof. Based on the increasingly excellent bulletproof function, changes in tasks are also taking place. changing.

Most of the bulletproof shields currently in use are equipped with bulletproof glass on the shield body for the shield hand to observe and shoot. In a dark environment, the bulletproof shield will also be equipped with lighting equipment, which not only satisfies tactical observation, but also better liberates the hands of the assaulter, which is helpful for the assaulter to complete tactical actions.

Tactical application of multiple bulletproof shields

On the afternoon of January 9, 2015, a hostage situation occurred at a kosher food store in the Vincennes district of eastern France. The French supermarket hijacking incident only took about ten seconds to deal with. Based on the characteristics of the rolling shutter store, which has a large area and a good view, which is convenient for the assault team to carry out operations, the police chose the front-facing tactic of multiple groups to cooperate with the assault, using the cover of bulletproof shields on both sides. When the rolling shutter door is opened, armed assaults alternately cover the entry into the supermarket to implement fire suppression, eliminate terrorists, and rescue hostages. At this time, the police are no longer limited to a single form of bulletproof shield tactics. According to the needs of the mission, double shield tactics and even multi-person bulletproof shield tactics have emerged.

When facing an ordinary bungalow, the doors and windows of the house can be used by commandos to break into and observe. The commando team can use multiple shields as bunkers to provide protection according to the on-site conditions, and observe the indoor situation through the doors and windows, thereby controlling every corner of the bungalow.

When facing complex terrain, when the search area and direction may change, the assault team needs to split up to search. Carrying a bulletproof shield does not ensure the safety of the team. At this time, the assault team can arrange for teammates responsible for breaking up and observing safety behind to carry bulletproof shields. Become a shield deputy to respond to emergencies and can support the first shield hand at any time to upgrade your protection.

When facing a crime scene with a large number of people, the criminals have strong firepower and it is necessary to focus on strengthening our protection. A single assault team cannot complete the task independently. You can choose to cooperate with multiple groups and build a large-area protective bunker with multiple bulletproof shields to eliminate them one by one. Protect blind spots, increase the safety range, and be steady and steady to win the battle.

As more and more threats are faced in the process of anti-terrorism and emergencies, the innovation of bulletproof shields and the tactical requirements for the use of bulletproof shields are becoming higher and higher. At the same time, police bulletproof shields are playing an increasingly important role in front-line actual combat. Obviously, they play an irreplaceable role in protecting the lives and safety of the public security police.