List of body armor performance standards

Body armor performance standards are lists generated by a certain country, to set requirements for armor to ensure that armor will perform reliably with greater transparency as to what armor may and may not defeat. As each country has regional threats which may be unique to it, some standards may include threats that are not present in others.

VPAM armor standard (Europe)

The VPAM scale as of 2009 runs from 1 to 14, with 1-5 being soft armor, and 6-14 being hard armor.[1] Tested armor must withstand three hits, spaced 120mm (4.72") apart, of the designated test threat with no more than 25mm of back-face deformation in order to pass. Of note is the inclusion of special regional threats such as Swiss P AP from RUAG and .357 DAG. According to VPAM's website, it is apparently used in France and Britain.

The VPAM scale is as follows:[2]

Armor Level Protection
PM 1
.22 Long Rifle
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 2.6±0.1 g (40±1.54 gr) .22 Long Rifle lead round-nose bullets at a velocity of 360±10 m/s (1181±33 ft/s)
PM 2
9×19mm Parabellum
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of:
  • 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 360±10 m/s (1181±33 ft/s)
PM 3
9×19mm Parabellum
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of:
  • 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 415±10 m/s (1361±33 ft/s)
PM 4
.357 Magnum
.44 Magnum
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of:
  • 10.2±0.1 g (157±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum bullets at a velocity of 430±10 m/s (1410±33 ft/s)
  • 15.6±0.1 g (157±1.54 gr) .44 Magnum bullets at a velocity of 440±10 m/s (1443±33 ft/s)
PM 5
.357 Magnum
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of:
  • 7.1±0.1 g (109±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum FMs (brass at nose) bullets at a velocity of 580±10 m/s (1902±33 ft/s)
PM 6
7.62×39mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 8.0±0.1 g (122±1.54 gr) 7.62×39mm PS mild steel-core bullets at a velocity of 720±10 m/s (2362±33 ft/s)
PM 7
5.56×45mm
7.62×51mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 4.0±0.1 g (62±1.54 gr) 5.56×45mm SS109/US: M855 FMJ bullets at a velocity of 950±10 m/s (3116±33 ft/s)
  • 9.55±0.1 g (147±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm DM111 steel-core bullets at a velocity of 830±10 m/s (2723±33 ft/s)
PM 8
7.62×39mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 7.7±0.1 g (118±1.54 gr) 7.62×39mm BZ API (armor-piercing incendiary) bullets at a velocity of 740±10 m/s (2427±33 ft/s)
PM 9
7.62×51mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 9.7±0.2 g (149±3.08 gr) 7.62×51mm P80 armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 820±10 m/s (2690±33 ft/s)
PM 10
7.62×54mmR
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 10.4±0.1 g (160±1.54 gr) 7.62×54mmR B32 API bullets at a velocity of 860±10 m/s (2821±33 ft/s)
PM 11
7.62×51mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 8.4±0.1 g (129±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm Nammo AP8/US M993 armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 930±10 m/s (3051±33 ft/s)
PM 12
7.62×51mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 12.7±0.1 g (196±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm RUAG SWISS P AP armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 810±10 m/s (2657±33 ft/s)
PM 13
12.7×99mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from an arbitrary distance, of:
  • 43.5±0.1 g (671±7.71 gr) 12.7×99mm RUAG SWISS P penetrator bullets at a velocity of 930±10 m/s (3051±33 ft/s)
PM 14
14.5×114mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from an arbitrary distance, of:
  • 63.4±0.1 g (978±7.71 gr) 14.5×114mm B32 API bullets at a velocity of 911±10 m/s (2988±33 ft/s)

TR armor standard (Germany)

The Technische Richtlinie (TR) Ballistische Schutzwesten is a regulation guide in Germany for body armor. It is mainly issued for body armor used by the German police, but also for the German armed forces and civilian available body armor. Producers have to meet the criteria of the TR, if they want to participate in open competitive bidding made by German agencies. The TR specifies different Schutzklassen (SK), which translates to protection classes, which a body armor can have. It specifies five different classes ranging from L to 4 of ballistic protection (e.g. SK 4). It also gives specifications for additional Stichschutz (ST), protection against knives, using the same classes as the ballistic protection, but giving it the additional ST label (e.g. SK L ST). The ballistic tests to determine a class are now integrated into the VPAM guidelines, so that the tests differ just in minor details and only one test (SK 1) is significantly different as of 2008.[3]

The TR scale is as follows:[3]

Armor Level Protection
SK L
9×19mm Parabellum
This test is based on VPAM PM 2, but it tests also for point-blank shots.

This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, as well as point-black shots, of:

  • 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 360±10 m/s (1181±33 ft/s)
SK 1
9×19mm Parabellum
This test is based on VPAM PM 3, but it adds two police special rounds, with the following modifications:

This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters in an angle of 25°, as well as 3 shots at point-blank, of:

  • 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 415±10 m/s
  • 6.0±0.1 g 9×19mm Parabellum QD-PEP II/S police special round bullets at a velocity of 460±10 m/s
  • 6.1±0.1 g 9×19mm Parabellum Action 4 police special round bullets at a velocity of 460±10 m/s
SK 2 (PM 5)
.357 Magnum
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of:
  • 7.1±0.1 g (109±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum FMs (brass at nose) bullets at a velocity of 580±10 m/s (1902±33 ft/s)
SK 3 (PM 7)
5.56×45mm
7.62×51mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 4.0±0.1 g (62±1.54 gr) 5.56×45mm SS109/US: M855 FMJ bullets at a velocity of 950±10 m/s (3116±33 ft/s)
  • 9.55±0.1 g (147±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm DM111 steel-core bullets at a velocity of 830±10 m/s (2723±33 ft/s)
SK 4 (PM 9)
7.62×51mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of:
  • 9.7±0.2 g (149±3.08 gr) 7.62×51mm P80 armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 820±10 m/s (2690±33 ft/s)

The German TR are generally comparable to the American NIJ, but the German TR usually tests more threat scenarios, as there are no point-black shots as well as no police special rounds. In contrast the NIJ tests for bigger calibers and higher man stopping power. And while the German TR tests smaller calibers and lighter bullets, it also tests more aggressive rounds, as the first test already uses steel FMJ bullets, while the NIJ uses normal FMJ rounds. In addition SK 4, the highest protection class, is specified to withstand three hits, while Level IV needs only to withstand one hit - although by a bigger caliber (7,62×63mm).[4]

GOST armor standard (Russia)

GOST R 50744-95 is the Russian Federation standard for body armor. Prior to the 2017 revision, the threat levels ran from 1 to 6. Noticeably, it included threats with the suffix A, which denote heightened ratings as opposed to lowered ratings in the NIJ standard.[5]

The old (pre-2017) standards are as follows:

Armor Level Protection
Class 1
9×18mm Makarov
7.62×38mmR
This armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5 meters, of:
  • 5.9 g (91 gr) 9×18mm Makarov 57-N-181S steel-core bullets at a velocity of 305–325 m/s (1000–1066 ft/s)
  • 6.8 g (105 gr) 7.62×38mmR 57-N-122 lead core bullets at a velocity of 275–295 m/s (902–968 ft/s).
Class 2
5.45×18mm
7.62×25mm Tokarev
This armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5 meters, of:
  • 2.5 g (38.6 gr) 5.45×18mm steel-core MPC 7N7 bullets at a velocity of 310–335 m/s (1017–1099 ft/s)
  • 5.5 g (84.8 gr) 7.62×25mm Tokarev steel-core bullets at a velocity of 415–445 m/s (1361–1460 ft/s)
Class 2A
12 gauge
This armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5 meters, of:
  • 35 g (540 gr) 12 gauge lead-core "Hunter" shotshells at a velocity of 390–410 m/s (1279–1345 ft/s)
Class 3
5.45×39mm
7.62×39mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of:
  • 3.4 g (52 gr) 5.45×39mm 7N6 hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 890–910 m/s (2920–2985 ft/s)
  • 7.9 g (122 gr) 7.62×39mm 57-N-231 hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 710–740 m/s (2329–2427 ft/s)
Class 4
5.45×39mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of:
  • 3.4 g (52 gr) 5.45×39mm 7N10 hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 890–910 m/s (2920–2985 ft/s)
Class 5
7.62×54mmR
7.62×39mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of:
  • 9.6 g (148 gr) 7.62×54mmR 57-N-323S steel-core bullets at a velocity of 820–840 m/s (2690–2756 ft/s)
  • 7.9 g (122 gr) 7.62×39mm 57-N-231 hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 710–740 m/s (2329–2427 ft/s)
Class 5A
7.62×39mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of:
  • 7.4 g (114 gr) 7.62×39mm 57-BZ-231 (BZ API) armor-piercing incendiary bullets at a velocity of 720–750 m/s (2362–2460 ft/s).
Class 6
7.62×54mmR
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of:
  • 9.6 g (148 gr) 7.62×54mmR ST-M2 hardened steel-core bullets at a velocity of 820–840 m/s (2690–2756 ft/s)
Class 6A
7.62×54mmR
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5.10 meters, of:
  • 10.4 g (160 gr) 7.62×54mmR 7-BZ-3 (B32 API) armor-piercing incendiary bullets at a velocity of 800–835 m/s (2624–2739 ft/s)

With the 2017 revision, the standards have changed significantly. Threat classes now range from BR1 to BR6. 'A'-suffixed classes have been eliminated, and their test threats have been either merged into the new categories, such as Classes 6 and 6A being moved into Class BR5, or removed entirely, as in the case of Class 2A. Additionally, several of the threat levels have been increased in difficulty with the introduction of new test threats; most notably is the introduction of Class BR6, which requires the tested armor to survive three hits of 12.7×108mm B32 API. In spite of the more difficult test threats, the 16mm back-face deformation limit remains unchanged.[6]

The updated standards from the 2017 revision are as follows:

Armor Level Protection
BR1
9×18mm Makarov
This armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5±0.1, meters of:
BR2
9×21mm Gyurza
This armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5±0.1 meters, of:
BR3
9×19mm Parabellum
This armor would protect against five hits, fired from 5±0.1 meters, of:
BR4
5.45×39mm
7.62×39mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.1 meters, of:
  • 3.4 g (52 gr) 5.45×39mm 7N10 hardened steel-core bullets from an AK-74 at a velocity of 895±15 m/s (2936±49 ft/s)
  • 7.9 g (122 gr) 7.62×39mm 57-N-231 hardened steel-core bullets from an AKM at a velocity of 720±15 m/s (2362±49 ft/s)
BR5
7.62×54mmR
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.1 meters, of:
  • 9.4 g (148 gr) 7.62×54mmR 7N13 (PP) hardened steel-core bullets from a SVD sniper rifle at a velocity of 830±15 m/s (2723±49 ft/s)
  • 7.9 g (122 gr) 7.62×54mmR 7BZ3 API (armor-piercing incendiary) bullets from a SVD sniper rifle at a velocity of 810±15 m/s (2657±49 ft/s)
BR6
12.7×108mm
This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 50±0.5 meters, of:
  • 48.2 g (743.8 gr) 12.7×108mm 57-BZ-542 API (armor-piercing incendiary) bullets from an OSV-96 sniper rifle at a velocity of 830±20 m/s (2723±65 ft/s).

NIJ armor standard (United States)

NIJ Standard-0101.06 has specific performance standards for bullet resistant vests used by law enforcement. This rates vests on the following scale against penetration and also blunt trauma protection (deformation):[7] In the first half of 2018, NIJ is expected to introduce the new NIJ Standard-0101.07.[8] This new standard will completely replace the NIJ Standard-0101.06. The current system of using Roman numerals (II, IIIA, III, and IV) to indicate the level of threat will disappear and be replaced by a naming convention similar to the standard developed by UK Home Office Scientific Development Branch. HG is for soft armor and RF is for hard armor. Another important change is that the test-round velocity for conditioned armor will be the same as that for new armor during testing. For example, for NIJ Standard-0101.06 Level IIIA the .44 Magnum round is currently shot at 408 m/s for conditioned armor and at 436 m/s for new armor. For the NIJ Standard-0101.07, the velocity for both conditioned and new armor will be the same.

Armor Level Protection
Type I
.22 LR
.380 ACP
This armor would protect against
  • 2.6 g (40 gr) .22 Long Rifle Lead Round Nose (LR LRN) bullets at a velocity of 329 m/s (1080 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 6.2 g (95 gr) .380 ACP Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets at a velocity of 322 m/s (1055 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

It is no longer part of the standard.

Type IIA
9×19mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
New armor protects against:
  • 8 g (124 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets at a velocity of 373 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1225 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 11.7 g (180 gr) .40 S&W Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets at a velocity of 352 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1155 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 14.9 g (230 gr) .45 ACP Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets at a velocity of 275 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (900 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

Conditioned armor protects against

  • 8 g (124 gr) 9 mm FMJ RN bullets at a velocity of 355 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1165 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 11.7 g (180 gr) .40 S&W FMJ bullets at a velocity of 325 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1065 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 14.9 g (230 gr) .45 ACP Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets at a velocity of 259 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (850 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Type I].

Type II
9mm +P
.357 Magnum
New armor protects against
  • 8 g (124 gr) 9 mm FMJ RN bullets at a velocity of 398 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1305 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 10.2 g (158 gr) .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point bullets at a velocity of 436 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

Conditioned armor protects against

  • 8 g (124 gr) 9 mm FMJ RN bullets at a velocity of 379 m/s ±9.1 m/s (1245 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 10.2 g (158 gr) .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point bullets at a velocity of 408 m/s ±9.1 m/s (1340 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I and IIA].

Type IIIA
.357 SIG
.44 Magnum
New armor protects against
  • 8.1 g (125 gr) .357 SIG FMJ Flat Nose (FN) bullets at a velocity of 448 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1470 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 15.6 g (240 gr) .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets at a velocity of 436 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

Conditioned armor protects against

  • 8.1 g (125 gr) .357 SIG FMJ Flat Nose (FN) bullets at a velocity of 430 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1410 ft/s ± 30 ft/s)
  • 15.6 g (240 gr) .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets at a velocity of 408 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1340 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

It also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, and II].

Type III
Rifles
7.62×51mm NATO
Conditioned armor protects against

It also provides protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, II, and IIIA].

Type IV
Armor Piercing Rifle
Conditioned armor protects against
  • 10.8 g (166 gr) .30-06 Springfield M2 armor-piercing (AP) bullets at a velocity of 878 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (2880 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

It also provides at least single hit protection against the threats mentioned in [Types I, IIA, II, IIIA, and III].

NIJ standards are used for law enforcement armors. The US and NATO military armor designs are tested using a standard set of test methods under ARMY MIL-STD-662F and STANAG 2920 Ed2.[9] This approach defines the test process under the 662F/2920 standard. Each armor program can select a unique series of projectiles and velocities as required. The DOD and MOD armor programs-of-record (MTV for example) procure armor using these test standards. In addition, special requirements can be defined under this process for armors for flexible rifle protection, fragment protection for the extremities, etc. These military procurement requirements do not relate to NIJ, HOSDB or ISO law enforcement armor standards, test methods, garment size, projectiles or velocities.

In addition to the NIJ and HOSDB law enforcement armor standards, other important standards include German Police TR-Technische Richtlinie, Draft ISO prEN ISO 14876, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL Standard 752).

Textile armor is tested for both penetration resistance by bullets and for the impact energy transmitted to the wearer. The "backface signature," or transmitted impact energy, is measured by shooting armor mounted in front of a backing material, typically oil-based modeling clay. The clay is used at a controlled temperature and verified for impact flow before testing. After the armor is impacted with the test bullet, the vest is removed from the clay and the depth of the indentation in the clay is measured.[7]

The backface signature allowed by different test standards can be difficult to compare. Both the clay materials and the bullets used for the test are not common. In general the British, German and other European standards allow 20–25 mm of backface signature, while the US-NIJ standards allow for 44 mm, which can potentially cause internal injury.[10] The allowable backface signature for body armor has been controversial from its introduction in the first NIJ test standard and the debate as to the relative importance of penetration-resistance vs. backface signature continues in the medical and testing communities.

In general a vest's textile material temporarily degrades when wet. Neutral water at room temp does not affect para-aramid or UHMWPE[11] but acidic, basic and some other solutions can permanently reduce para-aramid fiber tensile strength.[12] (As a result of this, the major test standards call for wet testing of textile armor.[13]) Mechanisms for this wet loss of performance are not known. Vests that will be tested after ISO type water immersion tend to have heat sealed enclosures and those that are tested under NIJ type water spray methods tend to have water resistant enclosures.

From 2003 to 2005, a large study of the environmental degradation of Zylon armor was undertaken by the US-NIJ. This concluded that water, long-term use, and temperature exposure significantly affect tensile strength and the ballistic performance of PBO or Zylon fiber. This NIJ study on vests returned from the field demonstrated that environmental effects on Zylon resulted in ballistic failures under standard test conditions.[14]

US military armor standards

Although the US military requirements for body armor mirror the NIJ's on a surface level, the two are very different systems. The two systems share a 44mm limit on back-face deformation, but SAPI-series plates increase linearly in protection (with each plate tested against the preceding plate's threats), and require a soft armor backer in order to reach their stated level of protection.

Armor Type: Protection:[15]
Soft Armor
Fragmentation
9×19mm FMJ
US Army soft armor inserts adhere to standards specified under FQ/PD 07–05.[16] They are required to stop the following ballistic and fragmentation threats:
  • 2-grain (0.13 g) RCC (Right Circular Cylinder) at a velocity (V50) of 2,710-foot-per-second (830 m/s) when dry and 2,575-foot-per-second (785 m/s) when wet.
  • 4-grain (0.26 g) RCC at a velocity of 2,400-foot-per-second (730 m/s) (V50) when dry and 2,300-foot-per-second (700 m/s) (V50) when wet.
  • 16-grain (1.0 g) RCC at a velocity of 2,050-foot-per-second (620 m/s) (V50) when dry and 1,920-foot-per-second (590 m/s) (V50) when wet.
  • 64-grain (4.1 g) RCC at a velocity of 1,660-foot-per-second (510 m/s) (V50) when dry and 1,610-foot-per-second (490 m/s) (V50) when wet.
  • 16-grain (1.0 g) RCC at a velocity of 2,000-foot-per-second (610 m/s) (V50) after hot and cold temperature exposure and accelerated aging.
  • 16-grain (1.0 g) RCC at a velocity of 1,900-foot-per-second (580 m/s) (V50) after contamination with motor oil and JP-8.
  • 17-grain (1.1 g) Fragment Simulating Projectile (FSP) at a velocity of 1,850-foot-per-second (560 m/s) (V50) when dry.
  • 124-grain (8.0 g) 9×19mm Remington FMJ at a velocity of 1,400-foot-per-second (430 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0) and 1,525-foot-per-second (465 m/s) (V50).
SAPI
7.62×51mm
7.62×54mmR
5.56×45mm
SAPI plates were the first ballistic plates to see mass issue in the US military. They have a black fabric cover with white text. These plates adhere to CO/PD 00-03[17] and are rated to stop the following threats:
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×51mm M80 ball bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×54mmR LPS steel-core FMJ bullets at a velocity of 2,300-foot-per-second (700 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 62-grain (4.0 g) 5.56×45mm M855 bullets at a velocity of 3,250-foot-per-second (990 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
ISAPI
7.62×51mm
7.62×54mmR
5.56×45mm
7.62×39mm API
ISAPI (Improved SAPI) plates were designed as an upgrade to SAPI in the face of API threats in Iraq. They were superseded by ESAPI plates before they could be widely issued. These plates are rated to stop the following threats:[18]
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×51mm M80 ball bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×54mmR LPS steel-core FMJ bullets at a velocity of 2,300-foot-per-second (700 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 62-grain (4.0 g) 5.56×45mm M855 bullets at a velocity of 3,250-foot-per-second (990 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 114-grain (7.4 g) 7.62×39mm 57-BZ-231 (BZ API) armor-piercing incendiary bullets at a velocity of 2,400-foot-per-second (730 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
ESAPI (Revs. A-E)
7.62×51mm
7.62×54mmR
5.56×45mm
.30-06 Springfield AP
ESAPI plates were developed in response to increased threats posed by 7.62x54mmR AP threats in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have a green fabric cover with white text. Original ESAPI plates, as well as those from Revisions B through D have the text "7.62mm APM2 Protection" on the back; Rev. E plates have the text "ESAPI - REV. E". The early-model plates are ratedto stop the following threats:[19]
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×51mm M80 ball bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×54mmR LPS steel-core FMJ bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 62-grain (4.0 g) 5.56×45mm M855 bullets at a velocity of 3,250-foot-per-second (990 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 2 shots of 166-grain (10.8 g) .30-06 M2 AP armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 2,850-foot-per-second (870 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
ESAPI (Rev. G)
7.62×51mm
7.62×54mmR
5.56×45mm
.30-06 Springfield AP
7.62×54mmR Sniper
5.56×45mm AP
With the issuance of CO/PD 04-19H[20] on 4 March 2013, the ESAPI protection standards improved significantly. These plates are indicated by the text "ESAPI - REV. G" on the back and are rated to stop the following threats:
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×51mm M80 ball bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0) and 2,850-foot-per-second (870 m/s) (V50 - combined).
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×54mmR LPS steel-core FMJ bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0) and 2,850-foot-per-second (870 m/s) (V50 - combined).
  • 3 shots of 62-grain (4.0 g) 5.56×45mm M855 bullets at a velocity of 3,250-foot-per-second (990 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0) and 3,350-foot-per-second (1,020 m/s) (V50 - combined).
  • 3 shots of 166-grain (10.8 g) .30-06 M2 AP armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 2,850-foot-per-second (870 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 151-grain (9.8 g) 7.62×54mmR 7N1 "Sniper" steel-core bullets at a velocity of 2,700-foot-per-second (820 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 55-grain (3.6 g) 5.56×45mm M995 AP bullets at a velocity of 3,350-foot-per-second (1,020 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
ESAPI (Rev. J)
7.62×54mmR
.30-06 Springfield AP
7.62×54mmR Sniper
5.56×45mm AP
With the issuance of CO/PD 04-19REV J[21] on 1 October 2018, the ESAPI protection standards were changed again. The protection requirements from 7.62×51mm NATO M80 ball and 5.56×45mm M855 were removed, and a high first-shot V50 requirement was added for the .30-06 M2 AP projectile. These plates are indicated by the text "ESAPI - REV. J" on the back and are rated to stop the following threats:
  • 3 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×54mmR LPS steel-core FMJ bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0) and 2,850-foot-per-second (870 m/s) (V50 - combined).
  • 3 shots of 166-grain (10.8 g) .30-06 M2 AP armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 2,850-foot-per-second (870 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0) and 3,000-foot-per-second (910 m/s) (V50 - first shot only).
  • 3 shots of 151-grain (9.8 g) 7.62×54mmR 7N1 "Sniper" steel-core bullets at a velocity of 2,700-foot-per-second (820 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 55-grain (3.6 g) 5.56×45mm M995 AP bullets at a velocity of 3,350-foot-per-second (1,020 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
XSAPI
7.62×51mm
7.62×54mmR
7.62×39mm API
.30-06 Springfield AP
7.62×54mmR Sniper
7.62×51mm AP
5.56×45mm AP
XSAPI plates were developed in response to a perceived threat of AP projectiles in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 120,000 inserts were procured;[22] however, the AP threats they were meant to stop never materialized, and the plates were put into storage. XSAPI plates have a tan fabric cover with black text. Early plates have the text "7.62 mm AP/WC Protection"[23] inscribed on the back; on newer variants, this text instead reads "XSAPI - REV. B" or "XSAPI - REV. C". These plates adhere to FQ/PD 07-03[24] and are rated to stop the following threats:
  • 6 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×51mm M80 ball bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 6 shots of 147-grain (9.5 g) 7.62×54mmR LPS steel-core FMJ bullets at a velocity of 2,750-foot-per-second (840 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 6 shots of 114-grain (7.4 g) 7.62×39mm 57-BZ-231 (BZ API) armor-piercing incendiary bullets at a velocity of 2,400-foot-per-second (730 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 166-grain (10.8 g) .30-06 M2 AP armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 2,850-foot-per-second (870 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0) and 3,000-foot-per-second (910 m/s) (V50 - first shot only).
  • 3 shots of 151-grain (9.8 g) 7.62×54mmR 7N1 "Sniper" steel-core bullets at a velocity of 2,700-foot-per-second (820 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).
  • 3 shots of 129-grain (8.4 g) 7.62×51mm M993 AP bullets at a velocity of 3,050-foot-per-second (930 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0) and 3,200-foot-per-second (980 m/s) (V50 - first shot only).[23][25]
  • 3 shots of 52-grain (3.4 g) 5.56×45mm M995 AP bullets at a velocity of 3,350-foot-per-second (1,020 m/s)+50-foot-per-second (15 m/s) (V0).[26]

Ballistic testing V50 and V0

Measuring the ballistic performance of armor is based on determining the kinetic energy of a bullet at impact (Ek = ½ mv2). Because the energy of a bullet is a key factor in its penetrating capacity, velocity is used as the primary independent variable in ballistic testing. For most users the key measurement is the velocity at which no bullets will penetrate the armor. Measuring this zero penetration velocity (v0) must take into account variability in armor performance and test variability. Ballistic testing has a number of sources of variability: the armor, test backing materials, bullet, casing, powder, primer and the gun barrel, to name a few.

Variability reduces the predictive power of a determination of V0. If for example, the v0 of an armor design is measured to be 1,600 ft/s (490 m/s) with a 9 mm FMJ bullet based on 30 shots, the test is only an estimate of the real v0 of this armor. The problem is variability. If the v0 is tested again with a second group of 30 shots on the same vest design, the result will not be identical.

Only a single low velocity penetrating shot is required to reduce the v0 value. The more shots made the lower the v0 will go. In terms of statistics, the zero penetration velocity is the tail end of the distribution curve. If the variability is known and the standard deviation can be calculated, one can rigorously set the V0 at a confidence interval. Test Standards now define how many shots must be used to estimate a v0 for the armor certification. This procedure defines a confidence interval of an estimate of v0. (See "NIJ and HOSDB test methods".)

v0 is difficult to measure, so a second concept has been developed in ballistic testing called the ballistic limit (v50). This is the velocity at which 50 percent of the shots go through and 50 percent are stopped by the armor. US military standard MIL-STD-662F V50 Ballistic Test define a commonly used procedure for this measurement. The goal is to get three shots that penetrate that are slower than a second faster group of three shots that are stopped by the armor. These three high stops and three low penetrations can then be used to calculate a v50 velocity.

In practice this measurement of v50 requires 1–2 vest panels and 10–20 shots. A very useful concept in armor testing is the offset velocity between the v0 and v50. If this offset has been measured for an armor design, then v50 data can be used to measure and estimate changes in v0. For vest manufacturing, field evaluation and life testing both v0 and v50 are used. However, as a result of the simplicity of making v50 measurements, this method is more important for control of armor after certification.

Military testing: fragment ballistics

After the Vietnam War, military planners developed a concept of "Casualty Reduction".[27] The large body of casualty data made clear that in a combat situation, fragments, not bullets, were the most important threat to soldiers. After WWII, vests were being developed and fragment testing was in its early stages.[28] Artillery shells, mortar shells, aerial bombs, grenades, and antipersonnel mines are all fragmentation devices. They all contain a steel casing that is designed to burst into small steel fragments or shrapnel, when their explosive core detonates. After considerable effort measuring fragment size distribution from various NATO and Soviet bloc munitions, a fragment test was developed. Fragment simulators were designed, and the most common shape is a right circular cylinder or RCC simulator. This shape has a length equal to its diameter. These RCC Fragment Simulation Projectiles (FSPs) are tested as a group. The test series most often includes 2 grain (0.13 g), 4 grain (0.263 g), 16 grain (1.0 g), and 64 grain (4.2 g) mass RCC FSP testing. The 2-4-16-64 series is based on the measured fragment size distributions.

German Policemen in bulletproof vests on guard duty at a military hospital.

The second part of "Casualty Reduction" strategy is a study of velocity distributions of fragments from munitions.[29] Warhead explosives have blast speeds of 20,000 ft/s (6,100 m/s) to 30,000 ft/s (9,100 m/s). As a result, they are capable of ejecting fragments at very high speeds of over 3,300 ft/s (1,000 m/s), implying very high energy (where the energy of a fragment is ½ mass × velocity2, neglecting rotational energy). The military engineering data showed that, like the fragment size, the fragment velocities had characteristic distributions. It is possible to segment the fragment output from a warhead into velocity groups. For example, 95% of all fragments from a bomb blast under 4 grains (0.26 g) have a velocity of 3,000 ft/s (910 m/s) or less. This established a set of goals for military ballistic vest design.

The random nature of fragmentation required the military vest specification to trade off mass vs. ballistic-benefit. Hard vehicle armor is capable of stopping all fragments, but military personnel can only carry a limited amount of gear and equipment, so the weight of the vest is a limiting factor in vest fragment protection. The 2-4-16-64 grain series at limited velocity can be stopped by an all-textile vest of approximately 5.4 kg/m2 (1.1 lb/ft2). In contrast to the design of vest for deformable lead bullets, fragments do not change shape; they are steel and can not be deformed by textile materials. The 2-grain (0.13 g) FSP (the smallest fragment projectile commonly used in testing) is about the size of a grain of rice; such small fast moving fragments can potentially slip through the vest, moving between yarns. As a result, fabrics optimized for fragment protection are tightly woven, although these fabrics are not as effective at stopping lead bullets.

Backing materials for testing

Ballistic

One of the critical requirements in soft ballistic testing is measurement of "back side signature" (i.e. energy delivered to tissue by a non-penetrating projectile) in a deformable backing material placed behind the targeted vest. The majority of military and law enforcement standards have settled on an oil/clay mixture for the backing material, known as Roma Plastilena.[30] Although harder and less deformable than human tissue, Roma represents a "worst case" backing material when plastic deformations in the oil/clay are low (less than 20 mm).[31] (Armor placed over a harder surface is more easily penetrated.) The oil/clay mixture of "Roma" is roughly twice the density of human tissue and therefore does not match its specific gravity, however "Roma" is a plastic material that will not recover its shape elastically, which is important for accurately measuring potential trauma through back side signature.

The selection of test backing is significant because in flexible armor, the body tissue of a wearer plays an integral part in absorbing the high energy impact of ballistic and stab events. However the human torso has a very complex mechanical behavior. Away from the rib cage and spine, the soft tissue behavior is soft and compliant.[32] In the tissue over the sternum bone region, the compliance of the torso is significantly lower. This complexity requires very elaborate bio-morphic backing material systems for accurate ballistic and stab armor testing.[33] A number of materials have been used to simulate human tissue in addition to Roma. In all cases, these materials are placed behind the armor during test impacts and are designed to simulate various aspects of human tissue impact behavior.

One important factor in test backing for armor is its hardness. Armor is more easily penetrated in testing when backed by harder materials, and therefore harder materials, such as Roma clay, represent more conservative test methods.[34]

Backer type Materials Elastic/plastic Test type Specific gravity Relative hardness vs gelatin Application
Roma Plastilina Clay #1 Oil/Clay mixture Plastic Ballistic and Stab >2 Moderately hard Back face signature measurement. Used for most standard testing
10% gelatin[35]

[36]

Animal protein gel Visco-elastic Ballistic ~1 (90% water) Softer than baseline Good simulant for human tissue, hard to use, expensive. Required for FBI test methods
20% gelatin[37] Animal protein gel Visco-elastic Ballistic ~1 (80% water) Baseline Good simulant for skeletal muscle. Provides dynamic view of event.
HOSDB-NIJ Foam Neoprene foam, EVA foam, sheet rubber Elastic Stab ~1 Slightly harder than gelatin Moderate agreement with tissue, easy to use, low in cost. Used in stab testing
Silicone gel Long chain silicone polymer Visco-elastic Biomedical ~1.2 Similar to gelatin Biomedical testing for blunt force testing, very good tissue match
Pig or Sheep animal testing[38] Live tissue Various Research ~1 Real tissue is variable[39] Very complex, requires ethical review for approval

Stab

Stab and spike armor standards have been developed using 3 different backing materials. The Draft EU norm calls out Roma clay, The California DOC called out 60% ballistic gelatin and the current standard for NIJ and HOSDB calls out a multi-part foam and rubber backing material.

  • Using Roma clay backing, only metallic stab solutions met the 109 joule Calif. DOC ice pick requirement
  • Using 10% Gelatin backing, all fabric stab solutions were able to meet the 109 joule Calif. DOC ice pick requirement.
  • Most recently the Draft ISO prEN ISO 14876 norm selected Roma as the backing for both ballistics and stab testing.

This history helps explain an important factor in Ballistics and Stab armor testing, backing stiffness affects armor penetration resistance. The energy dissipation of the armor-tissue system is Energy = Force × Displacement when testing on backings that are softer and more deformable the total impact energy is absorbed at lower force. When the force is reduced by a softer more compliant backing the armor is less likely to be penetrated. The use of harder Roma materials in the ISO draft norm makes this the most rigorous of the stab standards in use today.

References

  1. "VPAM protection levels document".
  2. "International hard ballistic standards | teijinaramid.com" (PDF). www.teijinaramid.com. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  3. Technische Richtlinie Ballistische Schutzwesten revision of 2009
  4. Unterschied der Ballistische Schutzklasse NIJ und TR - ZentauroN Blog
  5. "Ballistic Standards | sentineltailors.com". www.sentineltailors.com. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
  6. "International hard ballistic standards | teijinaramid.com" (PDF). www.teijinaramid.com. Retrieved 2020-01-23.
  7. "Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor NIJ Standard-0101.06" (PDF). NIJ Standards. United States Department of Justice. July 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-13.
  8. "NIJ Raises the Bar for Body Armor Manufacturers with NIJ Standard-0101.07". February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  9. "MIL-STD-662F V50 Ballistic Test for Armor" Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate Publication Date:Dec 18, 1997
  10. Wilhelm, M; Bir, C (2008). "Injuries to law enforcement officers: The backface signature injury". Forensic Science International. 174 (1): 6–11. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2007.02.028. ISSN 0379-0738. PMID 17434273.
  11. Kyle, Baxter. "Long-term Performance of UHMWPE Ballistic Panels". CoverMe-Seat Resources. Practical Protection. Archived from the original on 2018-04-24. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  12. Kevlar, Twaron, Dyneema, Spectra technical data
  13. NIJ, HOSDB, US-Army and ISO ballistic test methods
  14. "Third Status Report to the Attorney General on Body Armor Safety Initiative Testing and Activities"
  15. "SAPI threats documentation, Pg 6" (PDF). Scribd, document from Sjold. November 25, 2019.
  16. "PURCHASE DESCRIPTION - BODY ARMOR, MULTIPLE THREAT / INTERCEPTOR IMPROVED OUTER TACTICAL VEST (IOTV) GENERATION III" (PDF). CIE Hub. US Army. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  17. "PURCHASE DESCRIPTION PERSONAL ARMOR, SMALL ARMS PROTECTIVE INSERT (SAPI)". beta.SAM.gov. Department of Defense. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  18. "PURCHASE DESCRIPTION - BODY ARMOR, MULTIPLE THREAT / INTERCEPTOR" (PDF). Navy Electronic Commerce Online. Department of Defense. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  19. "Purchase description of ESAPI" (PDF).
  20. "Purchase description of ESAPI Rev. G" (PDF).
  21. "CO/PD 04-19REV J". beta.SAM.gov. Department of Defense. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  22. "Better body armor means more weight for troops".
  23. "Image of back of an early-model XSAPI plate". December 1, 2019.
  24. "Purchase description of the XSAPI" (PDF).
  25. "Brand Name Justification for Ballistic Plates.pdf (opens in new window)".
  26. "House Armed Services Committee hearing discussing XSAPI development".
  27. Dusablon, L V (December 1972). "The Casualty Reduction Analysis Model for Personnel Armor Systems". U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  28. Design Information for Construction of Light Personnel Armor. Authors: Willard R. Beye 1950 Midwest Research Inst Kansas City Mo
  29. Johnson, W., Collins, C., and Kindred, F., A Mathematical Model for Predicting Residual Velocities of Fragments After Perforating Helmets and Body Armor, Ballistic Research Laboratories Technical Note no. 1705, October 1968
  30. "Detail". Sculpture House. Archived from the original on 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2009-04-06.
  31. Roberts, Jack C; Ward, Emily E; Merkle, Andrew C; O'Connor, James V (May 2007). "Assessing Behind Armor Blunt Trauma in Accordance With the National Institute of Justice Standard for Personal Body Armor Protection Using Finite Element Modeling". Journal of Trauma-Injury Infection & Critical Care. 62 (5): 1127–1133. doi:10.1097/01.ta.0000231779.99416.ee. PMID 17495712.
  32. Wound ballistic simulation : Assessment of the legitimacy of law enforcement firearms ammunition by means of wound ballistic simulation, Jussila, Jorma, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine 2005-01, Doctoral dissertation
  33. Thoracic Model Analysis Using Finite Element Modeling and Vibration Table Testing Dr. Peter Matic, Dr. Alan Leung and Mr. Kirth Simmonds, Multifunctional Materials Branch, Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6350, 4555 Overlook Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20375
  34. Fackler, ML. And John A. Malinowski (1988). "Ordnance gelatin for Ballistic Studies – Detrimental Effect of Excess Heat Used in Gelatin Preparation;". The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 9 (3): 218–219. doi:10.1097/00000433-198809000-00008. PMID 3177350.
  35. Jussila, Jorma (May 2004). "Preparing Ballistic Gelatine—review and proposal for a standard method". Forensic Science International. 141 (2–3): 91–98. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2003.11.036. PMID 15062946.
  36. Kenedi, R M; Gibson, T; Evans, J H; Barbenel J C (1975). "Tissue Mechanics". Physics in Medicine and Biology. 20 (5): 699–717. Bibcode:1975PMB....20..699K. doi:10.1088/0031-9155/20/5/001. PMID 1103161.
  37. Prather, Russell; Swann, Conrad L; Hawkinns, Clarence E (1977). "Backface Signatures of Soft Body Armors and the Associated Trauma Effects". ARCSL-TR-77055. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  38. Song, Bo; Chen, Weinong; Ge, Yun; Weerasooriya, Tusit (2007). "Dynamic and quasi-static compressive response of porcine muscle". Journal of Biomechanics. 40 (13): 2999–3005. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2007.02.001. PMID 17448479.
  39. Berlin, R.H., B. Janzon, B. Rybeck, J. Sandegård and T. Seeman (1977) Local effects of assault rifle bullets in live tissues. Part II. Further studies in live tissues and relations to some simulant media; Acta Chir. Scand. Suppl. 477, 1–48, 1977
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.