About Defensible Ballistics

Our history

Defensible Ballistics was established as a family-run British business with specialist knowledge of firearms, terminal ballistics and analytical testing.

The company initially focused on supplying natural and synthetic ballistic gel for police, military, forensic and civilian testing. As customer requirements developed, the range expanded to include ballistic soap, reusable synthetic media, steel casting moulds, anatomical ballistic simulation models and specialist testing accessories.

Working directly with law enforcement organisations, defence customers, universities, researchers and technical professionals demonstrated that human analogue materials could support considerably more than conventional ballistic testing.

This led to the development of specialist products for operational training, forensic investigation, armour evaluation, medical education, ultrasound research, imaging, procedural training and equipment development.

Today, Defensible Ballistics combines British manufacturing with practical research support, supplying established products alongside custom-built solutions for technically demanding and unusual projects.

Supporting ultrasound and medical research

Our tissue-simulating materials have been used in ultrasound-related research, teaching, imaging and equipment evaluation.

Transparent, reusable and configurable phantoms allow known targets to be positioned within a controlled medium. This can support the study of imaging performance, target detection, procedural accuracy, equipment operation and the development of new medical technologies.

Our Acousim medical phantom range provides a practical alternative to disposable or biological training materials. Models can incorporate reference targets, simulated structures and customer-specified inserts.

Rather than limiting researchers to a fixed, mass-produced model, bespoke phantoms can be designed around the objectives of an individual study or training programme.

Project-specific options can include:

• Custom phantom dimensions
• Known target depth and placement
• Simulated tissue properties
• Internal structures and inserts
• Reusable construction
• Medical imaging requirements
• Equipment compatibility
• Research methodology considerations

Research and product development

Defensible Ballistics products have supported research projects involving terminal effects, protective equipment, medical imaging, engineering, material performance and human analogue testing.

Our testing media can assist with the controlled observation and evaluation of:

• Projectile penetration and deformation
• Wound-path formation
• Energy transfer
• Fragmentation
• Temporary and permanent cavities
• Body armour and protective equipment
• Helmets and protective clothing
• Tools and industrial equipment
• Vehicle and aerospace components
• Medical devices
• Imaging systems
• Training techniques

Research does not always fit within a standard product specification. We can therefore manufacture custom blocks, anatomical models, phantoms and internal structures to suit individual project requirements.

Customer confidentiality is taken seriously, particularly when supporting sensitive police work, defence research, commercially restricted product development, unpublished academic studies or pre-broadcast media productions.

Television, media and filmed demonstrations

Defensible Ballistics has supplied specialist materials and technical products for television programmes, media productions and filmed demonstrations.

Ballistic gel, ballistic soap and anatomical simulation models can provide a clear visual representation of physical events that may otherwise be difficult to explain on screen.

Our products have supported productions requiring controlled experiments, realistic demonstrations, educational content and specialist technical testing.

• Strict production schedules
• Clear and visually useful results
• Repeatable demonstrations
• Bespoke product preparation
• Pre-broadcast confidentiality
• Technical product guidance
• Reliable UK and international delivery
• Custom solutions for individual scenes

Publications and professional recognition

The work of Defensible Ballistics and the applications of our products have received attention across specialist media, major magazines and professional publications.

Our materials have appeared in articles examining ballistic testing, police and military training, forensic science, human analogue simulation, medical imaging and technical research.

Defensible Ballistics products and projects have also been referenced within medical journals and academic literature, reflecting the growing use of configurable synthetic materials in ultrasound, procedural training and scientific investigation.

This coverage demonstrates the breadth of applications for our products and the value of accessible, repeatable testing materials across multiple professional disciplines.

British manufacturing and specialist support

Many of our products are manufactured, cast, assembled or prepared in the United Kingdom.

Manufacturing in-house allows us to maintain control over material selection, calibration, presentation and quality. It also gives us the flexibility to respond to bespoke requirements that may not be possible through mass-produced alternatives.

Customers can speak directly with a team that understands the products, their intended applications and the practical challenges involved in specialist testing.

Whether the requirement is a standard gel block, a police training product, a defence research model or a completely bespoke medical phantom, every enquiry is approached with the same focus on quality, accuracy and practical usability.

Supporting the Armed Forces community

Defensible Ballistics is proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Through the Covenant, we recognise the contribution made by serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families. We are committed to treating members of the Armed Forces community fairly and supporting the principles represented by the Covenant.

Our relationship with the defence community also reflects the company’s longstanding work within military training, protective-equipment testing and technical research.