Rostec State Corporation announced on their website on Thursday, May 30th, that they have improved the Obereg bulletproof vest for sappers by increasing the area it protects.
● Sappers are military engineers who perform a variety of tasks, including building and repairing fortifications, laying and clearing mines, and constructing bridges. Their work often involves handling explosives and other dangerous materials, so they require special protective gear like enhanced bulletproof vests.
The Octava plant, overseen by RT-Capital of Rostec, has introduced a new version of the Obereg bulletproof vest. This updated vest is designed for engineers who work on humanitarian demining. It offers a larger area of protection against shrapnel and is lighter, weighing only 5 kg, according to a report by Russian media outlet Sputnik.
● Humanitarian demining refers to the process of removing landmines and explosive remnants of war to make areas safe for civilians. This work is crucial for allowing communities to safely return to their homes and use their land without the threat of hidden explosives.
● RT-Capital is a subsidiary of the state corporation Rostec. It is responsible for managing and restructuring assets within the corporation, often focusing on improving the efficiency and profitability of the companies it oversees.
Rostec’s Obereg-S: Advanced Protection
Rostec has created the Obereg-S version specifically for explosives technicians. Instead of ceramic armor plates, this version uses special ballistic protection packages, classified as C2 and Br1+. These packages shield against anti-personnel mines like PMN-1, PMN-2, and PMN-4, as well as bullets from pistols and shrapnel.
Armor Classifications: C2 and Br1+
● Ballistic protection packages classified as C2 and Br1+ refer to specific levels of protective materials used in body armor. These classifications indicate how much protection the materials provide:
○ C2: This classification typically means the armor can stop threats from larger handgun rounds and shrapnel. For example, it can handle bullets from powerful handguns like a .357 Magnum or a 9mm submachine gun.
○ Br1+: This level is designed to stop smaller caliber bullets, such as those from a .22 LR or a 9mm handgun, as well as fragments from explosions.
Both levels provide protection, but C2 offers a higher degree of safety against more powerful threats compared to Br1+. So, when you’re wearing a vest with these ratings, it’s designed to keep you safe from a range of dangerous projectiles, from pistol bullets to explosive fragments.
Anti-Personnel Mines: PMN Series
● Anti-personnel mines like PMN-1, PMN-2, and PMN-4 are types of explosives designed to injure or kill people. These mines are hidden in the ground and explode when someone steps on them or comes close. The Obereg-S vest is built to protect against the deadly effects of these mines.
○ PMN-1: This mine contains about 240 grams of TNT and can cause severe injuries or death when it explodes.
○ PMN-2: This mine has around 100 grams of TNT and is designed to be harder to detect, posing a serious threat when it goes off.
○ PMN-4: This is a newer version with about 80 grams of explosive material, designed to be even more difficult to find and just as dangerous.
The Obereg-S vest is designed to protect against the shrapnel and blast effects from these types of mines, helping keep the wearer safe.
Key Features of Safety Vest
The bulletproof vest has special protection for the groin and inner thighs, letting deminers kneel comfortably while working. It also has an adjustable collar that can be moved vertically and horizontally, making it easy to wear a helmet with a visor. When in use, the visor sits behind the collar to protect the neck and face from shrapnel.
● The “groin and inner thighs” refers to the area of the body that includes the lower abdomen and the inner part of the upper legs, near where the legs connect to the pelvis.
● “Deminers” are individuals who specialize in detecting and removing landmines and unexploded ordnance. Their job is to clear areas of explosive hazards, making them safe for other people to use.
● A “visor” is a transparent shield or protective covering attached to a helmet. It is designed to protect the face and eyes from debris, shrapnel, or other hazards while allowing the wearer to see clearly.
The new design of the Obereg-S vest includes a support belt that strengthens the spine and provides firm support for the lower back. It also has a half-carrier system, making it easier to safely evacuate an injured person in an emergency.
● A “half-carrier system” is a feature that allows for the quick and safe transport of an injured person. It provides support and stability during emergency medical evacuation, making it easier for rescuers to carry the victim to safety.
(Views expressed in the article are of author’s own and do not reflect the editorial stance of Business Upturn)
