P.N.I
What is Penetrating Neck Injury?
The Reality
Modern combat environments expose the neck to fragmentation threats while existing protection systems often restrict mobility, heat dissipation, and communication equipment. BCE Defensive is developing next-generation protective equipment designed to address these challenges while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Specs at a Glance
Designed to provide fragmentation protection while maintaining mobility, communication compatibility, and thermal comfort.
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Fragmentation protection
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Lightweight
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Ergonomic
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Compatible with comms
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Low thermal burden
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Scalable design
Deep Dive
Combat wounds to the neck and throat represent one of the most lethal categories of battlefield trauma. Accounting for approximately 10% of all battle injuries in recent conflicts, penetrating neck injuries (PNI) carry a mortality rate ranging from 10% to 41% — a grim reflection of just how unforgiving the human neck is as a target. Packed with critical vascular structures, airways, and the cervical spine within an exposed and relatively unprotected column of anatomy, a single fragment finding its mark can prove rapidly fatal, often before any meaningful intervention is possible.
Product Testing
A robust and precise testing methodology in the UK.
Specs at a Glance
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The NG-Serpa system has undergone V50 ballistic testing aligned with NATO STANAG 2920 fragmentation testing methodology.
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Steel chisel nosed frag at: 1.1g and 0.35g
Human Factors & Integration
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(HFI) Approach and Assessment Results Methodology. Three regular dismounted close combat (DCC) SP (Infantry JNCOs) were asked to carry out several military activities and to answer a questionnaire during the assessment (activities were metricised via time or scaled questions). The equipment worn and used by the SP was In-Service equipment only (clothing, VIRTUS, hearing protection and weapons). The location of the assessment was completed at the Army Trails Unit Warminster on the 18 Nov 25.
Overall confidence: SP initial views were of high confidence in areas assessed.
Intellectual Property
Improving survivability and mobility for modern military personnel.
Intellectual Property
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BCE Defensive is currently developing proprietary protective technology under patent-pending status. Certain technical aspects of the system are intentionally withheld from public disclosure while intellectual property protection is ongoing.
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The system is designed to integrate with modern soldier equipment while preserving freedom of movement and communication capability.
Development Status
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Prototype development completed
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Ballistic testing aligned with NATO fragmentation testing methodology
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Ongoing evaluation and refinement
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Lightweight ballistic protection systems
Detailed technical specifications are available to defence organisations and partners upon request.