A modular
body armor system (100) includes an upper shoulder harness (102) in which shoulder straps (106, 108) are pivotally rotatable relative to each other and also to front and back connecting bridges (112, 114) that define a
closed loop for the harness (102). Armor plates (124, 126) are attachable to the bridges (112, 114) and extend generally downwardly to protect the front and back
torso regions of a wearer of the
body armor (100). Pivotal articulation of the
body armor (100) permits the armor to roll advantageously with the movement of its wearer such that movement, such as crouching or the adoption of a firing position, is not generally restricted. A lower girdle (104) incorporates additional plates and panels (140, 142, 105, 152) to provide enhanced protection to the wearer, which lower girdle (104) may be entirely independent of the upper shoulder harness (102). By providing for chest expansion through an elasticated connection within both the shoulder harness (102) and the lower girdle (104), a wearer is placed under less
physiological stress during times of
exertion and
mental stress, thereby improving the overall performance of the wearer.