About Us

At Southwest Armor Technologies (SWAT), our mission is to save lives by revolutionizing armor with cutting-edge materials and innovative designs that provide superior protection and mobility for diverse users. Recognizing outdated industry technology, SWAT is bridging the gap between emerging material sciences and evolving protection needs across all markets.

1995 – Arizona Tactical (Sister Company) is founded, selling thousands of concealable and tactical vests across the U.S., helping law enforcement and tactical teams nationwide. 

 1997 – Arizona Tactical works with police departments to design a structural solution for better civilian protection in police lobbies, using Ballistica shoot-through plastics integrated into police lobbies and entry shields. 

 2005 – SWAT Armor is officially founded, focusing on bridging the gap between old-school body armor manufacturing and modern protection needs by identifying materials never used in the industry.  

 2007 – SWAT Armor works closely with end-users to create the Desert Fury Entry Vest, chosen by hundreds of tactical teams across the U.S. This vest sets a new standard for fit and higher levels of threat protection. 

 2008 – SWAT Armor invents the Rescue Strap System, a life-saving deployable drag strap designed to safely and effectively remove downed or injured individuals from a threat, enhancing safety in critical situations.

2008 – SWAT Armor identifies a need for improvements in hard armor, focusing on personal rifle plates and entry shields. The next decade is spent researching methods to enhance hard armor, leading to the discovery of the importance of bullet deflection. The study of thermoplastics and geometric shape design leads to the development of new advanced ballistic materials. 

 2022 – SWAT Armor becomes the first U.S. company to receive patents for bullet deflection technology, further bridging the gap between manufacturers and high-tech material development, bringing the next evolution of armor to the ballistics industry.