Arclin and BSST Unveil Lighter Next-Generation Bomb Disposal Suit Powered by Kevlar EXO Technology
ALPHARETTA, Georgia: Materials science company Arclin has partnered with protective equipment manufacturer BSST to introduce a next-generation explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suit designed to provide enhanced protection while significantly reducing the physical burden on bomb disposal operators.
The newly developed suit incorporates advanced Kevlar EXO aramid fiber technology and is aimed at improving mobility, endurance and operational effectiveness for personnel tasked with handling explosive threats in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
As modern security challenges continue to evolve, defence agencies and bomb disposal units are increasingly seeking protective solutions that can deliver high levels of safety without compromising agility and comfort.
The latest EOD system reflects that shift by combining advanced fragment protection with a lighter overall design, allowing operators to move more efficiently during extended missions.
According to Arclin, the certified suit integrates Kevlar EXO fabric with BSST’s proprietary design architecture and protective technologies to create a solution capable of withstanding explosive fragmentation threats while reducing weight compared to conventional systems.
The suit weighs approximately 30 kilograms, making it around 15 per cent lighter than many traditional EOD suits that can exceed 35 kilograms.
The reduction in weight is expected to improve operator comfort, reduce fatigue and enhance manoeuvrability, particularly during lengthy operations where mobility can directly influence mission success.
Industry experts note that even modest weight reductions can have a significant impact on the performance of bomb disposal personnel who are often required to work under intense pressure and in hazardous conditions.
Steven LaGanke, Global Segment Leader for Defence at Arclin, said the project demonstrates how advances in material science can address long-standing operational challenges faced by security professionals.
He explained that bomb disposal specialists operate in environments where every decision and movement can affect the outcome of a mission, making equipment performance a critical factor.
“Our collaboration with BSST highlights the potential of innovative materials to create personal protection solutions that are lighter, more adaptable and better suited to the evolving needs of defence and security personnel.
“Kevlar EXO CoreMatrix was developed to push the boundaries of fragment protection performance, and we are pleased to see it contributing to the future of EOD safety equipment,” he said.
BSST selected the Kevlar EXO platform as part of its ongoing efforts to identify advanced materials capable of meeting the demands of modern explosive threat response operations.
Technical Director of Research and Development at BSST, Heiko Baumann, described the launch as a major milestone in bomb disposal protection technology.
He said the development programme combined BSST’s extensive expertise in protective suit engineering with cutting-edge materials innovation to address one of the sector’s most persistent challenges.
“The objective was clear — reduce system weight without sacrificing the protection that operators depend on in high-risk environments.
“This new solution demonstrates that it is possible to improve mobility and comfort while maintaining the safety standards required for explosive ordnance disposal operations,” he said.
The suit is now available for international deployment and is being introduced across key defence and security markets in Europe and Asia.
Arclin and BSST are scheduled to showcase the technology at Eurosatory 2026, one of the world’s leading defence and security exhibitions, which will be held in Paris from June 15 to June 19.
The launch underscores the growing emphasis within the global defence sector on developing lighter, smarter and more effective protective equipment capable of meeting the increasingly complex demands of modern security operations.
