Approaches to identifying promising directions and forecasting trends in the field of armor materials

Military conflicts accompanied by massive bullet, fire, and shrapnel wounds, as well as rapid developments in the field of explosives, ammunition, and small arms, contribute to the growth of ballistic threats due to the insufficient level of protection of military personnel and civilians. Therefore, there is an urgent need to create new types of high-strength materials with new functional properties that will ensure a high level of armor resistance for elements of personal protective equipment and military equipment, especially during wars. The goal is to identify scientific trends in the field of armor and protective materials that are shaping new standards of mobility, reliability, and adaptability of protective solutions in real combat conditions. Method: scientometric analysis This article presents the results of a study on global scientific trends in this field based on an analysis of publications in the international Web of Science database. The results highlighted the growing interest in research related to technologies for creating armor and protective materials. In particular, trends in scientific publications, productive countries/regions and sources of publications, and main research topics were identified. The study includes a comprehensive collection of current research directions in armor protection technologies and an assessment of key scientific challenges related to the development of future materials. It has been concluded that the prospects for the development of armor materials lie in the deep integration of multilayer, hybrid materials that combine ceramics, polymers, metals, and intelligent solutions. The integration of optical and telecommunications technologies into armor protection increases the overall effectiveness of combat systems by providing reliable communication, operational control, and precise guidance. This approach provides an optimal balance between protection, weight, and flexibility.