Patent Publication Number: US-11650025-B2

Title: Personal tactical system with integrated ballistic frame

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/710,365 entitled “Personal Tactical System with Integrated Ballistic Frame” and filed on Sep. 20, 2017 which is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/374,498, entitled “Personal Tactical System” and filed on Dec. 9, 2016 (the “&#39;498 application”) and further claims priority under 25 U.S.C § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/397,020, entitled “Integrated Ballistic Frame” and filed on Sep. 20, 2016. The &#39;498 application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/257,745, entitled “Personal Tactical System” and filed on Sep. 6, 2016 (the “&#39;745 application”). The &#39;745 application is a continuation-in-part of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. PCT/US2016/040989, entitled “Female Protective Vest” and filed on Jul. 5, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/188,595, entitled “Female Protective Vest” and filed on Jul. 3, 2015. The &#39;745 application is further a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/497,508, entitled “Ballistic Vest System with Ballistic Ridge Component” and filed on Sep. 26, 2014, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/883,140, entitled “Ballistic Vest System with Ballistic Ridge Component” and filed on Sep. 26, 2013. The &#39;745 application is further a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/497,486, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,435,614, entitled “Ballistic Vest System with Ballistic Vein Component” filed on Sep. 26, 2014, and issued on Sep. 6, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/883,121, entitled “Ballistic Vest System with Ballistic Vein Component” and filed on Sep. 26, 2013. The &#39;745 application is further a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/161,322, entitled “High Performance Composite Fabric” and filed on Jun. 15, 2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/384,560, entitled “Textile Articles Incorporating High Performance Composite Fabric” and filed on Sep. 20, 2010 and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/355,089, entitled “Kevlar Backed Nylon Tactical Material” and filed on Jun. 15, 2010. The &#39;745 application further claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/289,089, entitled “Flexible Body Armor” and filed on Jan. 29, 2016. Each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects of the present disclosure relate to personal tactical systems and more particularly to tactical vests and other tactical devices configured to be worn by an individual for protection against threats. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Tactical systems, including vests, carriers, belts, cummerbunds, ballistic accessories (e.g., shoulder protection, pouches, abdomen protection, groin protection, leg protection, bicep/deltoid upper arm protection, etc.) and the like, are worn by a human or animal to protect against penetration to the body from ballistic projectiles and shrapnel from explosions, as well as to absorb the impact force caused by such threats. Conventional systems typically achieve a compromise at best, sacrificing at least one of performance, longevity, comfort, mobility, protection, and the like to attain another. It is with these observations in mind, among others, that various aspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoing problems by providing a personal tactical system. In one implementation, a tactical system includes one or more internal components disposed in an interior formed by an outer layer and an inner layer. The internal components include at least one of a flexible body armor, a ballistic plate, a ballistic frame, or a ballistic plate cover. Other implementations are also described and recited herein. Further, while multiple implementations are disclosed, still other implementations of the presently disclosed technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative implementations of the presently disclosed technology. As will be realized, the presently disclosed technology is capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a front view of an example tactical system in the form of a tactical vest with internal components shown. 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the tactical vest of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    shows a back view of the tactical vest of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    shows a side perspective view of the tactical vest of  FIG.  1    with a cummerbund belt buckle released. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates an example outer layer of the tactical system. 
         FIG.  6    depicts an example ballistic plate of the tactical system. 
         FIG.  7    shows a perspective view of an example ballistic plate cover of the tactical system. 
         FIG.  8    illustrates the ballistic plate cover engaged to the ballistic plate. 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of another example ballistic plate cover of the tactical system. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of another example ballistic plate cover of the tactical system. 
         FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  show front perspective and back perspective views of the ballistic plate cover of  FIG.  10   . 
         FIG.  12    illustrates example panels of a ballistic filler for a flexible body armor, including a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. 
         FIG.  13    illustrates the first panel of the ballistic filler, including a first subpanel of woven fabric and a second subpanel of unidirectional laminates. 
         FIG.  14    depicts the first panel of the ballistic filler with the first subpanel stitched directly to the second subpanel. 
         FIG.  15    shows the second panel of the ballistic filler formed from a plurality of stitched layers of unidirectional laminates. 
         FIG.  16    illustrates the third panel of the ballistic filler formed by a plurality of layers of unidirectional laminates. 
         FIG.  17    depicts a ballistic arrangement of the ballistic filler, including the first panel backed by the second panel, which is backed by the third panel. 
         FIG.  18    shows the ballistic filler with the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel connected using closure stitching. 
         FIG.  19    illustrates edge tape applied to a portion of a periphery of the ballistic filler for heat sealing. 
         FIG.  20    illustrates example operations for manufacturing a ballistic filler. 
         FIG.  21    shows a front view of an example flexible body armor with a female shape. 
         FIG.  22    illustrates the ballistic plate displaced at an angle relative to the flexible body armor of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  23    shows a perspective cut-away view of the flexible body armor of  FIG.  21   . 
         FIG.  24    illustrates example operations for manufacturing a tactical vest with a female shape. 
         FIG.  25    illustrates an example frame disposed adjacent to the flexible body armor. 
         FIGS.  26  and  27    each show another example frame. 
         FIG.  28    illustrates the frame of  FIG.  26    including an electrical system. 
         FIG.  29    shows an example connection adapter for connecting a cable to the frame of  FIG.  28   . 
         FIG.  30    illustrates an example communications adapter port. 
         FIG.  31    depicts an example power adapter port. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present disclosure involve personal tactical systems configured to be worn or otherwise used by an individual for protection against threats, including ballistic projectiles and shrapnel from explosions. In one aspect, internal components, including a ballistic plate, a ballistic plate cover, flexible body armor, and/or a frame, are disposed in an interior of the tactical system. The interior is formed between an outer layer and an inner layer. 
     The presently disclosed technology relates generally to personal tactical systems. The various example implementations are described herein in the context of a tactical vest. It will be appreciated, however, that the presently disclosed technology is applicable in the context of other tactical systems, including, but not limited to, other tactical vests, carriers, belts, cummerbunds, tactical accessories (e.g., shoulder protection, pouches, abdomen protection, groin protection, leg protection, bicep/deltoid upper arm protection, etc.) and the like. 
     To begin a detailed description of an example personal tactical system  100  in the form of a tactical vest, reference is made to  FIG.  1 - 4   . In one implementation, the tactical system  100  includes one or more internal components  102  insertable or otherwise disposed in an interior  104  of the tactical system  100 . The internal components  102  of the tactical system  100  include a flexible body armor  110 , a ballistic plate  112 , a ballistic frame  114 , and/or the like. The internal components  102  increase ballistic protection decrease side spall and back face deformation, and provide structure to the tactical system  100 , among other advantages. The interior  104  may be, for example, a pocket or similar enclosure formed by an outer layer  106  and an inner layer  108  of the tactical system  100 . In some implementations the tactical system  100  includes one or more intermediate layers between the outer layer  106  and the inner layer  108 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the outer layer  106  is exposed to an outside environment and is distal from the inner layer  108  to the wearer of the tactical system  100 . Stated differently, the inner layer  108  faces the wearer and the outer layer  106  faces away from the wearer. In one implementation, the outer layer  106  is made from a lightweight hybrid material with superior abrasion, tear, and fire resistance characteristics, while providing load carriage support and improved durability, particularly in high-wear areas, such as corners, edges, seams, and exposed areas. The lightweight hybrid material of the outer layer  106  may be, for example, a laminate of 500-denier nylon and 200-400-denier para-aramid fibers in an ultra-tight weave. In one implementation, the inner surface  108  is made from a material that is antimicrobial and fire resistant treated. 
     In the context of a tactical vest, the tactical system  100  includes a front carrier  124  and a back carrier  126  each extending between a proximal end  116  and a distal end  118  and between a first side  120  and a second side  122 . In one implementation, the sides  120 - 122  are shaped to accommodate the anatomy and movement of the wearer&#39;s arms, and the proximal end  116  is shaped to accommodate the anatomy and movement of the wearer&#39;s collar and neck area. 
     Further, the front carrier  124  may be shaped to accommodate the anatomy of a female wearer. As such, in one implementation, the front carrier  124  has a carrier female shape formed by an upper portion, a set of lateral portions, and a lower portion. The carrier female shape permits a full range of motion by and provides support to the female wearer, while maximizing comfort. The back carrier  126  similarly includes an upper back portion and a lower back portion adapted to maximize comfort without inhibiting motion of the female wearer. 
     In one implementation, the tactical system  100  includes a front carrier pocket  134  extending from or otherwise attached to the front carrier  124 . The front carrier pocket  134  may define the interior  104  be adapted to receive and hold one or more of the internal components  102 . 
     For example, the ballistic plate  112  may be disposed within the front carrier pocket  134  with a strike face oriented away from the wearer and a back face oriented towards the towards the inner layer  108 . The ballistic plate  112  is a hard plate configured to provide ballistic protection against projectiles or shrapnel impacting a strike face of the ballistic plate  112 . 
     A ballistic plate cover may wrap around at least a portion of a periphery of the ballistic plate  112  to provide additional protection against side spall created by augmentation of the ballistic plate  112 . Such a ballistic plate cover further improves the structure of the front carrier pocket  134  and enhances area coverage and range of motion for increased ergonomics and performance, while providing additional ballistic coverage beyond a front edge of the ballistic plate  112  and beyond side edges of the ballistic plate  112 . In one implementation, the ballistic plate cover provides approximately one inch of additional ballistic coverage beyond a front edge of the ballistic plate  112  and approximately 0.5 inches of additional ballistic coverage beyond side edges of the ballistic plate  112 . 
     In addition, the tactical system  100  may include a ballistic flap that covers an opening to the front carrier pocket  134  and is configured to cover and protect the bottom portion of the ballistic plate  112  when disposed within the front carrier pocket  134 . The ballistic flap may be made from a soft armor material similar to the flexible body armor  110  that, in combination with the ballistic plate cover assists in preventing side spall and backside deformation along the bottom portion of the ballistic plate  112 . in one implementation, the tactical system  100  includes a soft armor liner that extends along the peripheral edge of the front carrier pocket  134  to provide further protection to the ballistic plate  112 . The soft armor liner may be sewn along a peripheral edge of the front carrier pocket  134  such that the soft armor liner at least substantially covers a peripheral edge of the ballistic plate cover when the ballistic plate  112  is disposed within the front carrier pocket  134 . In some implementations, the soft armor liner may be a strip of soft armor material (e.g., similar material to the outer layer  106 ), while in other implementations the soft armor liner may substantially or completely line the interior of the front carrier pocket  134 . 
     The flexible body armor  110  may be disposed in the front carrier pocket  134  behind the ballistic plate  112  on the back face side to provide additional protection and force absorption. In one implementation, the flexible body armor  110  is made from a ballistic fiber comprising at least a portion of woven fabric stitched directly to unidirectional laminates. The woven fabric is generated from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, which when used in conjunction with the unidirectional laminates, is effective as anti-ballistic ply structures. A ballistic arrangement of the ballistic filler includes the UHMWPE woven fabric being backed by unidirectional laminates. More specifically, the ballistic arrangement constitutes one or more regions where one or more plies of UHMWPE woven fabric are backed by one or more plies of unidirectional laminates. As used in the present disclosure, respective to each region, “backed” refers to plies residing closer to a wearer, and “fronted” refers to plies closer to a strike face of the outer layer  106 . In one implementation, one or more of the regions comprised of UHMWPE woven fabric backed by unidirectional laminate are stitched together uniformly using a quilt pattern or some other uniform stitching pattern. 
     A ballistic frame  114  may be disposed within the front carrier pocket  134  behind or in front of the flexible body armor  110 . The ballistic frame  114  includes a body configured to improve overall load carriage performance of the front carrier pocket  134  and the tactical system  100  by providing a rigid platform to add weight. The frame body further reduces fatigue by improving the structure of the tactical system  100  by retaining the flexible body armor  110  in a configuration that prevents bunching and provides support to the ballistic plate  112  to improve edge hit protection. The ballistic frame  114  is loose from or otherwise unattached to the flexible body armor  110  within the front carrier pocket  134 . The ballistic frame  114  absorbs and otherwise dissipates energy from an impact of a projectile against the ballistic plate  112  and/or the flexible body armor  110 . The ballistic frame  114  body may be solid or have one or more openings therethrough. The inner layer  108  may include one or more pads  132  to enhance comfort and further dissipate forces generated from an impact. The pads  132  may be sized and shaped to mirror the openings in the ballistic frame  114 . 
     In one implementation, the back carrier  126  includes a releasable back panel  148 , which may be used to releasably connect to or otherwise secure one or more protective devices and/or to integrate with other tactical devices. The back carrier  148  may include a back carrier pocket within, adjacent to, or in place of the releasable back panel  148  to receive and hold one or more internal components  102 . In one implementation, the releasable back panel  148  is releasably engaged to the back carrier  126  with a zipper assembly. 
     The front carrier  124  is connected to the back carrier  126  at the proximal end  116  and/or the distal end  118 . In one implementation, the front carrier  124  is connected to the back carrier  126  at the distal end  118  with a cummerbund having a first cummerbund portion  128  and a second cummerbund portion  130 . It will be appreciated, however, that a belt, straps, or other side connections may supplement or be used in place of the cummerbund. One or more of the cummerbund sections  128  and  130  may be connected to the front carrier  124  using a cummerbund buckle  140  disposed within a pocket. 
     In one implementation, the front carrier  124  is connected to the back carrier  126  at the proximal end  116  with shoulder portions, including a first shoulder strap  136  and a second shoulder strap  138 . The shoulder straps  136  and  138  may each be adjustable. For example, the first shoulder strap  136  and the second shoulder strap  138  may each loop through a shoulder buckle forming an adjustment portion. The adjustment portions may be secured, for example, using paired hook and loop fasteners. In one implementation, the shoulder straps  136  and  138  each include a shoulder pad with a low to enhance comfort and provide additional load distribution. 
     In the context of a tactical vest, the tactical system  100  may include a cutaway system permitting single-handed release. In one implementation, the cutaway system includes a plurality of buckles, which when released permit the tactical vest to be easily and quickly removed. The plurality of buckles may include, for example, the shoulder buckles  142  and  144  and the cummerbund buckle(s)  140 . In one implementation, the plurality of buckles are connected to a quick-release tab  146  via corresponding wires. When the quick-release tab  146  is pulled, each of the plurality of buckles is automatically disengaged, facilitating the removal of the tactical vest. The cutaway system may be reengaged, and the tactical vest reassembled by reengaging the plurality of buckles. In one implementation, the wires are housed within the interior  104  and in communication with the buckles using one or more pockets or openings. 
     In one implementation, each of the plurality of buckles are connected to the cutaway system via one or more wires to release the buckles upon pulling of the quick-release tab  146 . For example, the cummerbund buckle  140  may include a female buckle portion and a male buckle portion. The female buckle portion includes an opening adapted to receive a body of the male buckle portion and slots to releasably engage buckle arms of the male buckle portion. In one implementation, a releasing member is connected to a wire of the cutaway system and configured to displace the buckle arms. When the quick-release tab  146  is pulled, the wires of the cutaway system are displaced, which displaces the releasing member and in turn the buckle arms, thereby disengaging the male buckle portion from the female buckle portion. The shoulder buckles  142  and  144  may include similar features and functionality. 
     For a detailed description of the outer layer  106 , reference is made to  FIG.  5   . In one implementation, the outer layer  106  is a composite of a first layer  204  facing an outside environment  200  and a second layer  206  facing in a direction  202  inwardly toward the interior  104 . Stated differently, the first layer  206  is backed by the second layer  206 . The first layer  204  and the second layer  206  form a lightweight hybrid material with superior abrasion, tear, and fire resistance characteristics that provides load carriage support and improved durability, particularly in load carriage points  208 , such as corners, edges, seams, high wear areas, and exposed areas. 
     In one implementation, the first layer  204  is a synthetic fabric outer layer. For example, the first layer  204  may be a nylon fabric, such as a high-performance Nylon-6,6. The weight of the nylon fabric of the first layer  204  may be between approximately 200 and 1000 denier, and in one particular example implementation, the weight is about 500 denier. 
     The second layer  206  may be a backing layer made from a high strength, damage resistant material. More particularly, the second layer  206  may be made of high tenacity polymer fibers, including, but not limited to, aramid fibers, para-aramid fibers, para-aramid synthetic fibers, high performance polyethylene fibers, and/or other materials having a high tensile strength-to-weight ratio. Examples of materials from which the second layer  206  may be made include, without limitation: Kevlar®, Twaron, terephthaloyl chloride (TCI), and high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE). Other suitable materials include polybenzobisoxazole fibers (PBO), ballistic nylon, and/or heat resistant aramid fiber products such as Nomex® and Protera® fabrics. The fibers of the second layer  206  may have a tensile strength greater than about 2000 MPa (or greater than about 7 grams per denier) and an elastic modulus greater than about 60 GPa. 
     In one implementation, high performance polymer fibers for the second layer  206  are utilized in the form of a woven fabric, including for example woven fabrics generally used for repelling and trapping hand driven sharp objects such as knives, awls, shanks and the like. An exemplary woven fabric for the second layer  206  may be constructed from yarn of anywhere between about 100 and 1200 denier and aerial densities in the range of 3 to 10 ounces per square yard (“OSY”). For example, fabrics constructed of yams in the 200 to 300 denier range, and aerial densities in the 3 to 4 OSY range may be used where the tactical system  100  is a ballistic accessory, such as a pouch, small duffel, backpacks, or the like. Alternatively, where the tactical system  100  is heavier, such as a large suitcase or equipment bag, larger yams in the 700 to 1200 denier range and densities in the 7 to 10 OSY range may be used. In one particular example implementation where the tactical system  100  is a tactical vest, the first layer  204  is made from a 500-denier nylon and the second layer  206  is made from 200-400-denier para-aramid fibers. 
     The woven fabric of the second layer  206  may be formed of a relatively tight, puncture resistant weave, comprising, for example, at least 40 fibers per inch in a first (warp) direction and at least 40 fibers per inch in a second (fill) direction. In one implementation, the second layer  206  comprises a weave with between 60 and 72 fibers per inch in both the warp and fill directions. In addition, the fabric of the second layer  206  may be formed by tightly weaving multi-filament yams to obtain a warp yam “density” or “cover” in excess of 100 percent at the center of the fill yam and a fill yam density or cover in excess of 75 percent as measured between two warp ends. Such ultra-tight weaves may comprise in excess of 100 fibers per inch in the warp and fill directions and filament crossovers in the range of about 50,000,000 (fifty million) filament crossovers per square inch up to 90,000,000 (ninety million) filament crossovers per square inch. 
     In one example, the second layer  206  is Dupont™ Kevlar® Correctional™, which is an extremely tight weave utilizing filaments one fourth the size of comparable materials. Another suitable commercially available material is a woven puncture resistant product sold under the trademark TURTLESKIN by Warwick Mills, Inc., of New Ipswich, N.H. The weight of the second layer  206  may range between approximately 200 and 300 denier where the tactical system  100  includes lightweight personal gear such as packs and pouches and between approximately 500 and 1000 denier where the tactical system  100  includes larger, heavier articles, such as large suitcases and equipment duffels. 
     In one implementation, the first layer  204  and the second layer  206  are consolidated into a unitary composite fabric using any suitable technique such as lamination, bonding, stitching, and/or the like. Suitable bonding methods include, for example, the use of various types of adhesives, such as air-drying adhesives, chemically setting adhesives, radiation activated adhesives such as ultraviolet (UV) activated dental adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, and pressure sensitive adhesives. An adhesive may be pre-applied on at least one of the first layer  204  or the second layer  206  or separately introduced during a lamination process. In one implementation, the first layer  204  and the second layer  206  are laminated under heat and pressure using a solid, polymer based thermoplastic adhesive, such as a polyamide, polyester, elastomeric urethane, or polyolefin polymer. For example, the first layer  204  may be laminated to the second layer  206  using a dry, non-woven mat, or web of a polymer-based thermoplastic or other thermoplastic adhesives. The first layer  204  and the second layer  206  and the thermoplastic adhesive may be supplied from respective adjacent spools and fed through a laminating machine with the thermoplastic web sandwiched between the first layer  204  and the second layer  206 . 
     As noted above, the first layer  204  and the second layer  206  may also be consolidated using various types of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives, also referred to as “PSA”s. PSAs are distinguished from most other types of adhesives in that they bond on contact, rather than through a solidifying process such as evaporation, chemical reaction, or melting. PSAs are usually based on an elastomer compounded with a suitable tackifier (e.g., a rosin ester). The elastomers may include those based on natural rubber, Nitriles, Butyl rubber, Acrylics, Styrene block copolymers, vinyl ethers, Ethylene-vinyl acetate, and various silicon rubbers. In one implementation, the PSA comprises an acrylic adhesive such as a permanent assembly tape or an acrylic sheet. 
     The strength of the second layer  206  makes the composite material of the outer layer  106  particularly beneficial in the load carriage points  208  of the tactical system  100 . Examples of the load carriage points  208  include, without limitation, corners of ammunition pouches, fragmentation pouches, radio communication pouches, armor pockets in armor plate carriers, and/or load carriage points. In ballistic vests and ballistic armor carriers the outer layer  106  also increases longevity and strength of load carriage points  208 , particularly once the outer layer  106  is sewn through. Seams can be further strengthened by folding the seam over to double or triple thickness prior to stitching. In addition, any tears or de-laminations in the first layer  204  of the outer layer  106  can be temporarily field repaired by re-attaching the damaged first layer  204  to the intact second layer  206  using a fast setting adhesive such as Cyanoacrylate liquid adhesive. Alternatively, if portions of the first layer  204  are missing or worn away making re-attachment impractical, the intact second layer  206  can instead simply be left exposed, and if desired, temporarily disguised using a suitably colored paint or ink marker. 
     Although the composite fabric of the outer layer  106  has been described primarily in terms of the first layer  204  and the second layer  206 , the outer layer  106  may comprise additional or different layers. For example, the outer layer  106  may comprise a plurality of outer layers similar to the first layer  204 , or a plurality of backing layers similar to the second layer  206 , or multiple layers of each. In addition, the layers may be arranged in various configurations, such as two backing layers of the second layer  206  on one side of a single outer layer of the first layer  204 , or a sandwich configuration with an outer layer of the first layer  204  on either side of one or more backing layers of the second layer  206 . The composite fabric of the outer layer  106  may also be combined with various other material layers, such as a liner made of a breathable or insulative type of fabric or material. The additional materials may be consolidated or attached to the first layer  204  and/or the second layer  206  using any of the above-described methods and materials. Further, various other combinations of layers and materials are contemplated as foreseeable and intended to fall within the scope of the high performance composite fabric of the outer layer  106 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  6   , in one implementation, the ballistic plate  112  includes a body with a strike face  300  disposed opposite a back face  302 . A peripheral edge  304  extends along a periphery of the body between the strike face  300  and the back face  302 . A non-peripheral area  306  of the ballistic plate  112  extends from a center of each of the strike face  300  and the back face  302  towards a peripheral area disposed near the peripheral edge  304 . 
     As can be understood from  FIGS.  7 - 11 B , in one implementation, a ballistic plate cover  400  may wrap around at least a portion of the peripheral area of the ballistic plate  112  to provide additional protection against back face deformation and/or side spall created by augmentation of the ballistic plate  112 . Back face deformation occurs when a ballistic projectile impacts the strike face  300  and causes the back face  302  to deform or bulge outwardly. Side spall occurs when a ballistic projectile impacts the peripheral area of the ballistic plate  112  such that shrapnel from the ballistic projectile impact and/or debris of material from the impacted portion of the ballistic plate  112  potentially penetrates the flexible body armor  110  and/or injure the wearer. 
     The ballistic plate cover  400  further enhances area coverage and range of motion for increased ergonomics and performance, while providing additional ballistic coverage beyond the ballistic plate  112  in a direction outward from the strike face  300  and in a direction outward from the peripheral edge  304 . In one implementation, the ballistic plate cover  400  provides approximately one inch of additional ballistic coverage beyond the strike face  300  and approximately 0.5 inches of additional ballistic coverage beyond the peripheral edge  304 . 
     The ballistic plate cover  400  includes a body extending from a proximal end  402  to a distal end  404 . The body of the ballistic plate cover  400  may be made from a polyethylene material or other types of thermoplastic materials. For example, the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  may be made from a stretchable and elastic spandex material reinforced with a unidirectional and/or aramid material. 
     In one implementation, the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  includes a peripheral portion including side portions  406  extending proximally to a top portion  414 . The peripheral portion may have a variety of shapes mirroring a shape of the peripheral edge  304  of the ballistic plate  112 . For example, the peripheral portion may extending linearly and taper inwardly in a proximal direction. More particularly, the peripheral portion  406  may include the side portions  406  extending parallel to each other and then tapering inwardly at tapered portions  412  until reaching the top portion  414 . The peripheral portion includes an inner peripheral surface  410 . 
     In one implementation, the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  includes a back portion  416  connected to the peripheral portion. For example, the back portion  416  may be connected at an edge of the peripheral portion, such that the back portion  416  is disposed inwardly from the side portions  406 , the tapered portions  412 , and/or the top portion  414 . 
     The back portion  416  includes an inner back surface  418 . In one implementation, the inner back surface  418  is disposed at an angle relative to the inner peripheral surface  410 . For example, the inner back surface  418  and the inner peripheral surface  410  may be disposed perpendicularly to each other. The inner back surface  418  and the inner peripheral surface  410  collectively form a receiving portion  420 , such as an open-ended slot or a channel, configured to receive the body of the ballistic plate  112 . In one implementation, the receiving portion  420  releasably engages the ballistic plate  112 . In another implementation, the receiving portion  420  is secured to the ballistic plate  112  with an adhesive or similar engaging mechanism. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , in one implementation, the receiving portion  420  engages the ballistic plate  112 , such that at least a portion of the peripheral edge  304  is covered. In the example shown in  FIG.  8   , the peripheral portion of the ballistic plate cover  400  covers side portions and a proximal portion of the peripheral edge  304  with a distal portion left exposed. Further, the receiving portion  420  may engage the ballistic plate  112  such that at least a portion of the peripheral area of the strike face  300  and/or the back face  302  is covered. In the example shown in  FIG.  8   , the back portion  416  covers at least a portion of the peripheral area of the back face  302  along the portions of the peripheral edge  304  covered by the peripheral portion of the ballistic plate cover  400 . 
     As can be understood from  FIG.  9   , in one implementation, the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  further includes a bottom portion  422  of the peripheral portion disposed opposite the top portion  414  and a front portion  424  disposed opposite the back portion  416 . The front portion  424  is connected to the peripheral portion. For example, the front portion  424  may be connected at an edge of the peripheral portion, such that the front portion  424  is disposed inwardly from the side portions  406 , the tapered portions  412 , and/or the top portion  414  and parallel to the back portion  416 . 
     The front portion  424  includes an inner front surface  426  facing the inner back surface  418 . In one implementation, the inner front surface  426  is disposed at an angle relative to the inner peripheral surface  410  and parallel to the inner back surface  418 . For example, the inner back surface  418  and the inner front surface  424  may each be disposed perpendicularly to the inner peripheral surface  410 . The inner back surface  418 , the inner front surface  424 , and the inner peripheral surface  410  collectively form the receiving portion  420 . 
     As can be understood from  FIG.  9   , in one implementation, the receiving portion  420  engages the ballistic plate  112 , such that an entirely of the peripheral edge  304  is covered. Further, the receiving portion  420  may engage the ballistic plate  112  such that an entirety of the peripheral area of the strike face  300  and/or the back face  302  is covered. In the example of  FIG.  9   , the back portion  416  covers an entirety of the peripheral area of the back face  302  and the front portion  424  covers an entirety of the peripheral area of the strike face  300 . In one implementation, the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  defines an opening  428  exposing the non-peripheral area  306  of the ballistic plate  112 . 
     Turning to  FIGS.  10 - 11 B , in one implementation, the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  further includes one or more middle portions  430  extending between the top portion  414  and the bottom portion  414 . The middle portion  430  may be engaged to the inner back surface  418  and/or the inner front surface  424 . The middle portion  430  provides further structural support to maintain the ballistic plate  112  within the receiving portion  420  of the ballistic plate cover  400 . 
     As discussed herein, the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  may have a variety of shapes, including, but not limited to, rectangular, circular, elliptical, triangular, polygonal, angles, contoured, and/or the like. In the example shown in  FIG.  10 - 11 B , the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  has a rectangular shape with the peripheral portion including side portions  406  extending linearly between the top portion  414  and the bottom portion  422 . Portions or an entirety of the body of the ballistic plate cover  400  may be made from aramid/unidirectional material and/or a stretchable fabric composite material and may be stitched or otherwise connected or be of unitary construction. In one implementation, the ballistic plate cover  400  includes a soft armor padding disposed in one or more places and made from a similar material to the flexible body armor  110 . 
     For a detailed description of an example of the flexible body armor  110 , reference is made to  FIGS.  12 - 20   . As can be understood from  FIG.  12   , in one implementation, ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110  includes a first panel  500  having a first subpanel  502  and a second subpanel  504 , a second panel  506 , and a third panel  508 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , in one implementation, the first panel  500  of the ballistic filler of the flexible body armor  110  includes the first subpanel  502  as a plurality of layers of woven fabric generated from UHMWPE fiber and a second subpanel  504  as a plurality of layers of unidirectional laminate. In one particular implementation, the first subpanel  502  comprises three layers  510  of JPS 17517 woven fabric, and the second subpanel  504  comprises four layers  512  of SB117 unidirectional laminates. Tape  514  holds the layers  510  of the first subpanel  502  together and holds the layers  512  of the second subpanel  504  together. 
     Turning to  FIG.  14   , in one implementation, the first subpanel  502  is stitched directly to the second subpanel  504  to form the first panel  500 . The first subpanel  502  is backed by the second panel  504 . Tape  516  disposed at one or more of the edges may hold the first subpanel  202  to the second subpanel  204  during stitching. 
     In one implementation, the stitching comprises a first set of stitching lines  518  parallel to each other and oriented in a first direction and a second set of stitching lines  520  parallel to each other and oriented in a second direction. The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction to form a quilted square pattern. In one implementation, the first direction and the second direction are both diagonal relative to the proximal end  116  and the distal end  118 . Other stitching methods and arrangements are contemplated. In one implementation, a first edge stitching  522  and a second edge stitching  524  extend around a perimeter of the first panel  500  at a distance from the edge (e.g., approximately % inches and % inches from the edge with +/−⅛ inches apart). 
     Turning to  FIG.  15   , the second panel  506  of the ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110  is shown. In one implementation, the second panel  506  is formed from a plurality of layers  526  of unidirectional laminates. In one implementation, the plurality of layers  526  is fifteen layers of SB115. The plurality of layers  526  may be held together with tape  528  for stitching. In one implementation, the stitching comprises a first stitching line  530  and a second stitching line  532 . The stitching lines  530  and  532  form an “X’ shape across the plurality of layers  526  from the proximal end  116  to the distal end  118 , with the ends spaced an equal distance such that if the proximal and distal end points of the stitching lines  530  and  532  were joined a rectangle would be formed. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates the third panel  508  of the ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110  formed by a plurality of layers  534  of unidirectional laminates. In one implementation, the plurality of layers  534  is two layers of SB117. The plurality of layers  534  are not sewn and are held together with tape  536  for combining with the first panel  500  and the second panel  506 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  17   , a ballistic arrangement of the ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110 , includes the first panel  500  backed by the second panel  506 , which is backed by the third panel  508 , such that the subpanel  502  of the woven fiber is the layer most proximal to the strike face towards the outer layer  106 .  FIG.  18    illustrates the ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110  with the first panel  500 , the second panel  506 , and the third panel  508  connected using proximal closure stitching  538  and distal closure stitching  540  disposed at the proximal end  116  and the distal end  118 , respectively. In one implementation, the closure stitching  538  and  540  comprises two passes of three inch 0/C 1.5 inches left and right. As shown in  FIG.  19   , edge tape  542  may be applied to a portion of a periphery of the ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110  for heat sealing. 
       FIG.  20    illustrates example operations  600  for manufacturing a ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110 . In one implementation, an operation  602  forms a first panel comparison a first subpanel of woven fabric and a second subpanel of unidirectional laminate. An operation  604  stitches the first subpanel to the second subpanel. An operation  606  stitches a plurality of layers of unidirectional laminate to form a second panel, and an operation  608  forms a third panel from a plurality of layers of unidirectional laminate. An operation  610  forms a ballistic filler from the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel, and an operation  612  stitches the ballistic filler at a primal end and a distal end. An operation  614  applies edge tape to at least a portion of a periphery of the ballistic filler, and an operation  616  heat seals the ballistic filler to form the flexible body armor  110 . 
     The ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110  provides numerous advantages over monolithic and other hybrid designs. For example, the flexible body armor is comfortable, durable, flexible, lightweight, and provides increased performance, including resistance to ballistic penetration, back face deformation performance, resistance to mechanical fatigue, and resistance to fragmentation threat, and the like. 
     In one implementation, the ballistic filler of the flexible body armor  110  has distinct regions. At least one region comprises a stitch consolidated assembly of one or more plies of woven fabric generated from UHMWPE yarn disposed in front of one or more flexible ballistic ply structures generated from a high strength yarn. 
     The flexible ballistic ply structures may be, for example, a resin impregnated woven fabrics, unidirectional laminates, multi-axial fabrics, and/or the like. In one implementation, the flexible ballistic ply structures can be generated using high strength yarns including, without limitation, aromatic polyamides such as poly(p-phenylene teraphthalamide), poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide), p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole, polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, aromatic unsaturated polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, aromatic polyimides, aromatic polyamideimides, aromatic polyesteramideimides, aromatic polyetheramideimides and aromatic polyesterimides or copolymers of any of the above mentioned classes of materials, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or any combination of these yarns. In another implementation, the flexible ballistic ply structures are woven fabrics generated from high strength fiber are woven structures produced using yarns containing aromatic polyamides including poly(p-phenylene teraphthalamide), poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide), p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole, polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, aromatic unsaturated polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, aromatic polyimides, aromatic polyamideimides, aromatic polyesteramideimides, aromatic polyetheramideimides and aromatic polyesterimides or copolymers of any of the above mentioned classes of materials or any combinations of these yarns. 
     In one implementation, at least one region of the ballistic filler of the flexible body armor  110  comprises one or more plies of unstitched ballistic ply structures generated from a high strength yarn, which may have a tenacity greater than about 7 grams/denier. The unstitched ballistic ply structures may include woven fabrics, resin impregnated woven fabrics, unidirectional laminates, or multi-axial fabrics generated from yarns containing aromatic polyamides including poly(p-phenylene teraphthalamide), poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide), p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole, polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, aromatic unsaturated polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, aromatic polyimides, aromatic polyamideimides, aromatic polyesteramideimides, aromatic polyetheramideimides and aromatic polyesterimides or copolymers of any of the above mentioned classes of materials, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene or any combinations of these yarns. 
     Any one of the stitch consolidated assemblies of plies of the ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110  is achieved using any stitching thread and any type of stitching method to achieve through-thickness connectivity of the plies, including chain stitching or lock stitching to secure all plies in the assembly together. In one implementation, a stitching pattern that is uniform across the surface of the entire assembly is used. Such a uniform stitching pattern may be, for example, a grid pattern (quilt pattern), co-linear rows of stitching, concentric circles, a spiral, and/or the like. In another implementation, the stitching pattern of any one of the stitch-consolidated assembly of plies is not uniform across the surface of the entire assembly. As described herein, the ballistic filler for the flexible body armor  110  includes a stitched consolidated region and a free ply region. In one implementation, the weight fraction of the stitch consolidated region is no greater than 50% the overall weigh of the ballistic filler. Further, the ballistic filler of the flexible body armor  110  includes at least one region of woven fabric stitched directly to unidirectional fabric. 
     As can be understood from  FIGS.  21 - 24   , the flexible body armor  110  may be generated for the natural shape of a female wearer, while providing a full range of motion and support and eliminating excess compression on the breast tissue. 
     As can be understood from  FIGS.  21  and  22   , in one implementation, a female shape  700  of the flexible body armor  110  is formed from an upper portion  702 , a set of lateral portions  704  and a lower portion  706 . The set of lateral portions  704  connect the upper portion  702  to the lower portion  706 . 
     In one implementation, the upper portion  702  includes a set of upper side edges  716  each extending distally from a top edge  714 . The upper side edges  716  may further extend along a contour to enhance ergonomics and accommodate the anatomy of a female wearer. For example, the upper side edges  716  may each extend inwardly from the top edge  714  in a direction generally towards a central axis  730  extending from the proximal end  116  of the flexible body armor  110  to the distal end  118 . The top edges  714  are connected by a center edge  710 , which may be a contoured. In one implementation, the center edge  710  contours distally from each of the top edges  714  until reaching a central point. The top edges  714  may contour from the upper side edges  716  into the center edge  710 . 
     In one implementation, each of the upper side edges  716  is connected to the lateral portion  704  at an upper valley  718 . An edge of each of the lateral portions  704  extends from the upper valley  718  in a direction generally outwardly away from the central axis  730  to a lower valley  722 . In one implementation, each of the lateral portions  704  includes a lateral peak  720 . The edge of each of the lateral portions  704  may include a first edge extending from the upper valley  718  to the lateral peak  720  and a second edge extending from the lateral peak  720  to the lower valley  722 . The first edge, lateral peak  720 , and the second edge may extend outwardly at angle along a line, forming a generally straight-line angling from the upper valley  718  to the lower valley  722 . In another implementation, the first edge contours from the upper valley  718  to the lateral peak  720 , and the second edge contours from the lower valley  722  to the lateral peak  720 . 
     The lower portion  706  is connected to the upper portion  702  with the set of lateral portions  704 . In one implementation, the lower valleys  722  of the lateral portions  704  connect to a set of outwardly extending edges  724  of the lower portion  706 . Stated differently, the lower valley  722  connects the second edge of the lateral portion  704  to the outwardly extending edge  724 . The outwardly extending edges  724  may each be disposed at an angle relative to lower side edges  726  of the lower portion  706  and extend outwardly from the lower valleys  722  to the lower side edges  726 . In one implementation, the lower side edges  726  each extend distally from the outwardly extending edges  724  to a bottom edge  712 , which may extend horizontally between the lower side edges  726 . 
     Each of the lateral portions  704  may include lateral darts extending from the edge of the lateral portion  704  inwardly and distally. In one implementation, the lateral darts form cup portions  728 . As can be understood in  FIG.  22   , the lateral darts are each adapted to displace a ballistic hard plate  300  to eliminate excess compression on the breast tissue of the female wearer. The lateral darts displace a proximal end the body of ballistic plate  112  in a direction away from the inner surface  108  of the front carrier  124  and the flexible body armor  110  (i.e., a direction away from the wearer). As such, a central axis  732  of the ballistic plate  112  is disposed at an angle relative to the central axis  730  of the flexible body armor  110 . The front carrier  124  may similarly incorporate the female shape  700 , such that the ballistic plate  112  is maintained in the front carrier pocket  134  in an orientation generally parallel to the body of the wearer, preventing projectiles from moving through the ballistic protection into the body of the wearer, while eliminating compression on the breast tissue by displacing the proximal end of the ballistic plate  112  outwardly. 
     Turning to  FIG.  23   , in one implementation, the one or more panels  708  includes a first panel  734  having one or more layers and a second panel  736  having one or more layers. The first panel  734  includes an inner surface  738  and the second panel  736  has an inner surface  740 . In one implementation, the lateral darts are each formed from one or more raised pleats. For example, a first raised pleat  42  may be formed along the inner surface  738  of the first panel  734 , and a second raised pleat  744  may be formed along the inner surface  740  of the second panel  736 . The raised pleats  742  and  744  may each extend from a center area  746  of a respective cup portion  728  to a periphery  750 . In one implementation, the raised pleats  742  and  744  form free space  748  of the cup portion  728  between the first panel  734  and the second panel  736 . The raised pleats  742  and  744  may each be formed using a plurality of sewing lines extending from the center area  746  to the periphery  750 . In one implementation, the lateral darts formed from the raised pleats  742  and  744  extend from the center area  746  to an edge of the lateral portion  704  of the flexible body armor  110  disposed between the upper valley  718  and the lower valley  722 . After the raised pleats  742  and  744  are formed, the first panel  734  may be attached to the second panel  736 , for example, using sewing, lamination (e.g., with an adhesive,) to form the flexible body armor  110 . 
       FIG.  24    illustrates example operations  800  for manufacturing a female tactical vest. In one implementation, an operation  802  forms a front carrier having an upper portion connected to a lower portion with opposing lateral darts. An operation  804  forms a first panel from a plurality of layers of ballistic material. An operation  806  stitches a plurality of sewing lines along the first panel to form a first set of raised pleats, which may include one or more raised pleats. An operation  808  forms a second panel from a plurality of layers of ballistic material. An operation  810  stitches a plurality of sewing lines along the second panel to form a second set of raised pleats, which may include one or more raised pleats. An operation  812  stitches or otherwise attaches the first panel to the second panel with the first set of raised pleats oriented relative to the second set of raised pleats to form a cup in a soft ballistic armor. An operation  814  orients the soft ballistic armor along the front carrier, for example, in an interior of the front carrier. 
     Turning to  FIGS.  25 - 27   , it will be appreciated that the ballistic frame  114  may be disposed behind or in front of and loose from the flexible body armor  110  within the interior  104 . The ballistic frame  114  includes a frame body  900  configured to improve overall load carriage performance of the tactical system  100  by providing a rigid platform to add weight. The frame body  900  may be disposed loose or secured within the interior  104  to provide structural support to the outer layer  106 , the inner layer  108 , and/or other aspects of the tactical system  100 . In one implementation, the frame body  900  is configured to support a load. The frame body  900  reduces fatigue by improving the structure of the tactical system  100  by retaining the flexible body armor  110  in a configuration that prevents bunching and provides support to the ballistic plate  112  to improve edge hit protection. The frame body  900  may be made from a polyethylene material, an ABS plastic material, an aramid fiber material, and/or other ballistics force dissipating material. 
     The ballistic frame  114  is unattached to the flexible body armor  110  within the interior  104 , such as the front carrier pocket  134  where the tactical system  100  is a tactical vest. The ballistic frame  114  absorbs and otherwise dissipates energy from an impact of a projectile against the ballistic plate  112  and/or the flexible body armor  110 . The ballistic frame  114  may be disposed in the interior  104  together with the flexible body armor  110  or without the flexible body armor  110 . 
     In one implementation, the flexible body armor  110  is disposed within the interior  104  of the tactical system  100  and made from a force dissipating material. The ballistic frame  114  is disposed within the interior of the ballistic vest adjacent to and detached from the soft body armor component. The ballistic frame  114  may be disposed within the interior  104  between the outer layer  106  and the flexible body armor  110  or between the inner layer  108  and the flexible body armor  110 . Stated differently, the ballistic frame  114  may be backed by the flexible body armor  110  or the flexible body armor  110  may be backed by the ballistic frame  114 . 
     The ballistic frame  114  thus provides an additional protective layer to the flexible body armor  110  in some implementations, further dissipating the forces generated by the impact of a ballistic projectile and/or shrapnel against the flexible body armor  110 . Another aspect of the ballistic frame  114  is a structural component that provides a framework to the tactical system  100  that is exterior to the flexible body armor  110  and provides structural integrity and prevents sagging of the outer layer  106  and other portions of the tactical system  100 . 
     The frame body  900  may be solid or have one or more openings  902  therethrough. The openings  902  may have a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, circular, rectangular, elliptical, triangular, hexagonal, star, trapezoidal, angled, and/or contoured. The openings  902  may be symmetrical along at least one axis  906  of the frame body  900 . For example, the openings  902  may include a first set of openings vertically aligned and a second set of openings vertically and/or horizontally aligned, with the first set of openings and the second set of openings being symmetrical. 
     The frame body  900  may have a variety of shapes, for example, asymmetrical, symmetrical, circular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, contoured, angled, and/or polygonal. The frame body  900  may be planar or extend along one or more angles or curves. Further, the frame body  900  may be sized and shaped based on a coverage area for protecting the wearer. The coverage area may include a deltoid area, a bicep area, a neck area, a yoke area, a collar area, and/or an extremity area. 
     In one implementation, the frame body  900  extends between a peripheral edge shaped based on ergonomics of the wearer and/or to mirror a shape of the flexible body armor  110  and/or the ballistic plate  112 . For example, the frame body  900  may have a shape similar to the female shape  700 . The peripheral edge may include a bottom edge  910  connected to a top edge  912  with a set of side edges  908 . In one implementation, a width of the frame body  900  tapers proximally toward the top edge  912 . Stated differently, the peripheral edge may include tapered edges  914  connecting the side edges  908  to the top edge  912 . In another implementation, the side edges  908  extend proximally beyond the top edge  912  and peaks  916  curve to connect to the side edges  908  to the top edge  912 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  28   , in one implementation, the ballistic frame  114  may include one or more electrical systems coupled to the ballistic frame  114 . For example, in  FIG.  28   , the ballistic frame includes each of a communications routing system  918  and a power supply system  920 . The ballistic frame  114  may be incorporated into, among other things, a ballistic vest, a load carriage platform, and/or a backpack. The communications routing system  918  includes a plurality of wires connected to one or more communication connectors  922 . Similarly, the power supply system  920  includes a plurality of wires connected to one or more power connectors  924 . The communications routing system  918  and the power supply system  920  may be separate systems or integrated into one system, such that the wires and connectors  922  and  924  may be separate or the same. The communications routing system  918  and the power supply system  920  may be disposed around a periphery of the frame body  900 , for example to avoid interference with the ballistic performance of the frame body  900  and/or decrease a risk of damage to the communications routing system  918  and/or the power supply system  920  caused by a ballistic impact or other threat. 
     Turning to  FIG.  29   , in one implementation, one or more pieces of equipment are connected to the communications routing system  918  and/or the power supply system  920  using a universal adapter  1000 . The frame body  900  includes one or more connectors  1002 , which may be the communication connector  922  and/or a power connector  924 . Each of the connectors  1002  includes an opening  1004  extending through the frame body  900 . The universal adapter  1000  includes a connection adapter for connecting a cable  1006  to the connector  1002 . The cable  1006  may be any form of cable or wire configured to transmit data and/or power and may be encased with a cover, such as fabric or similar material. 
     The connection adapter may include a pin receiver  1008  configured to receive and engage a pin adapter  1010 . The pin receiver  1008  may include an opening configured to receive a pin  1012  protruding from a base of the pin adapter  1010  and made from copper or another conductive material. The opening of the pin receiver  1008  puts the pin  1012  in contact with the cable  1006  for transmitting power and/or data. The pin receiver  1008  and/or the pin adapter  1010  may have a minimized profile. In one implementation, the pin adapter  1010  screws into the pin receiver  1008  via a bottom bolt. 
     As can be understood from  FIGS.  30  and  31   , the cable  1006  may extend from the pin receiver  1008  to an adapter port configured to engage equipment. In one implementation, the adapter port includes communications adapter port  1100  having a housing  1102  which may be made from an insulating material and facilitate connection of the communications adapter port  1100  to the equipment. A communications port head  1104  may extend from within the housing  1102  to connect to the equipment, such that data may be communicated between the equipment and a communications link or other computing device connected to the communications routing system  920  of the ballistic frame  900 . 
     In another implementation, the adapter port includes power adapter port  1200  having a housing  1202  which may be made from an insulating material and facilitate connection of the power adapter port  1200  to the equipment. A power port head  1204  may extend from within the housing  1202  to connect to the equipment, such that power may be supplied to the equipment from a power source connected to the power supply system  1204  of the integrated ballistic frame  900 . It will be appreciated that in some implementations, the adapter port is configured to supply power, as well as communicate data to and from the equipment. 
     In addition to or instead of individual ports, electrical systems in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure may include multi-port hubs that enable connection of multiple pieces of equipment at a given location. Such multi-port hubs may be used in electrical systems adapted for, among other things, communication, power management and data transfer. Such hubs may, in certain implementations, provide a one-to-many connection in which multiple ports are connected to a single wire or cable of the ballistic frame  114 . As a result, the amount of cables required to supply power and/or communicate data between ports of the ballistic frame can be reduced. 
     In implementations in which the electrical system is adapted to provide communication functions, the electrical system may include or be coupleable to an antenna system. For example, in certain implementations an antenna coil may be coupled to the ballistic frame  114 . In other implementations, the electrical system may include connectors and/or ports adapted to be connected to an antenna that extends from the ballistic vest, backpack, or other item in which the ballistic frame  114  is incorporated. The ballistic frame  114  may also include an integrated magnetic induction loop for wireless communication. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various implementations, it will be understood that these implementations are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, implementations in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context of particular examples. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in various implementations of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims that follow.