University Students in South Sulawesi Develop Bulletproof Vest

TheIndonesia.id - The creation of bulletproof vest made by Faculty of Engineering’s students at Hasanuddin University, Makassar, has now entered the development stage.

As reported by SuaraSulsel.id, initial research was previously conducted to develop the carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) material for soft body armor bulletproof vest. And the test, carried out by 3rd Division of the Army Strategic Command (Kostrad), showed satisfactory results.

University student Rudi and his team presented the development plan to University’s rector Dwia Aries Rina Pulubuhu at the campus on Thursday, December 30. In the presentation, he explained that most bulletproof vests are developed using metal, Kevlar fiber, and aramid fiber.

Meanwhile, bulletproof can be classified into soft body armor (9 mm caliber) and hard body armor (above 9 mm caliber).

During the initial research, Rudi developed two materials through element method or numerical simulations. It was carried out using 9 mm caliber bullets at a speed of 343 meter/second.

Ballistic testing was also carried out using Pindad G2 handgun at 3rd Division of the Army Strategic Command base.

In the presentation, research supervisor Muhammad Syahid added that bulletproof vests that have been widely used have heavy layers that limit soldiers’ movement during action. The one developed by Rudi, on the other hand, uses light yet strong material which makes it more comfortable to wear.

Currently, the team has developed 20x30 cm panel, and during the next research step, it will be further developed to soft body armor with 3 kg weight target on scale 9 of the Technology Readiness Levels, which shows proven and tested system through successful operation.

Syahid further explained that the target is to reduce up to 50 percent of weight. Then, it will be ready to be produced based on applicable standard to, in the end, support the military.

Members of the research team are Muhammad Syahid, Rudi, and Azwar Hayar, and they are maintaining communication with commander of the 3rd Division of the Army Strategic Command as research partner and potential user of the product.