Any attack against Bodyarmour will reduce the 100% effectiveness of the armour, the damaged panel should be replaced at the earliest opportunity. During operations this may not be practical and there are many reported instances of armour continuing to be effective after a serious attack.
UK STANDARD: (P S D B )
Ballistic Resistance of personal Body Armour (2003)
PSDB Level
Test Bullet (Ammunition)
Bullet Weight g/gr
Bullet Velocity [m/sec] [ft/sec]
Distance [m]
No. Of Shots Per Panel
No. Of Tests
HG1/A
9 mm FMJ
8.0 / 124
360 +- 10
5
6
1
.357 Mag. JSP
10.2 / 158
385 +- 10
5
6
1
HG1
9 mm FMJ
8.0 / 124
360 +- 10
5
6
1
.357 Mag. JSP
10.2 / 158
385 +- 10
5
6
1
HG2
9 mm FMJ
8.0 / 124
425 +- 10
5
6
1
.357 Mag. JSP
10.2 / 158
450 +- 25
5
6
1
SG1
Shotgun 12 gauge True cylinder
28.4 / 437
435 +- 25
10
1
1
RF1
Rifle 7.62 mm Calibre
9.3 / 144
830 +- 15
10
3
1
FMJ = Full Metal Jacketed
SJHP = Semi Jacketed Hollow Point
JSP = Jacketed Soft Point
LR LRN = Long Rifle lead Round Nose
US STANDARD: ( N.I.J.)
NIJ Standard 0101.04 Ballistic Resistance of personal Body Armour
Level IIA offers increased protection (9 mm and 40 S&W) Level II offers greater protection (.357 Magnum and High Velocity 9 mm) Level IIIA offers the highest protection (most handgun calibers)
NIJ Level
Test Bullet (Ammunition)
Bullet Velocity
Distance [m]
No. Of Shots Per Panel
m/sec
ft/sec
I
.22 caliber LR LRN*
329 + - 9
1080 +- 30
5
6
.380 ACP FMJ RN*
322 +- 9
1055 +- 30
5
6
II-A
9mm FMJ RN*
341 +- 9
1120 +- 30
5
6
40 S&W FMJ RN*
322 +- 9
1055 +- 30
5
6
II
9mm FMJ RN*
367 +- 9
1205 +- 30
5
6
357 Mag JSP *
436 +- 9
1430 +- 30
5
6
III-A
9mm FMJ RN
436 +- 9
1430 +- 30
5
6
.44 Magnum JHP*
436 +- 9
1430 +- 30
5
6
III
7.62mm NATO FMJ RN*
848 +- 9
2780 +- 30
15
6
IV
.30 caliber M2 AP*
878 +- 9
2880 +- 30
15
1
* = List Below
LR LRN: Long Rifle lead Round Nose
FMJ: Full Metal Jacketed
RN: Round Nose
JSP: Jacketed Soft Point
SJHP: Semi Jacketed Hollow Point
AP: Armour Piercing
Mechanics of Blunt Trauma ( N.I.J.)
When body armor defeats an impacting bullet through expansion and deformation, kinetic energy is transferred to the body. The resulting damage to tissue is called blunt trauma. To comply with the N.I.J. Body Armor Standard, this deformation cannot exceed 44 millimeters in Roma Plastina #1 Clay.
Anti – Stab Standards
NIJ Standard – 0115.00 Stab Resistance
An armour model submitted for either knife resistance testing, or knife + spike resistance testing, should be designed to meet one of the three protection levels listed below:
Protection Level
Energy Level Strike 1
Energy Level Strike 2
Threat Levels
KR1 or KR1+SP1
"EI" = 25 joules (17.7 ft. lbs.
"E2" = 36 joules (26.6 ft. lbs.)
The lowest protection level allowed, Armour at this level should offer maximum periods of wear in low risk patrolling environments and would be suitable for covert use
KR2 or KR2+SP2
"EI" = 33 joules (24.3 ft. lbs.)
"E2" = 50 joules (36.9 ft. lbs.)
A medium protection level This level should provide for a general duty garment for extended wear and may be covert or overt.
KR3 or KR3+SP3
"EI" = 43 joules (31.7 ft. lbs.)
"E2" = 65 joules (47.9 ft. lbs.)
A high protection level.This level should be suitable for short/medium periods of wear in high-risk situations. This level would normally be overt.
Penetration Testing
The new N.I.J. Standard 0115.00. Maximum penetration of 0.28"/ 7mm is allowed
An "Overtest" is also applied, to push the breaking point of the armor, where 0.79"/ 20mm of penetration is allowed
Testing is done in two different categories of threat: "Edged Blades" (standard knives) or "Spike" weapons (ice-pick or improvised)
