Level 3 body armor stopping power

Understanding armor levels is crucial for choosing appropriate protective gear. Each level signifies the armour's capability to resist specific types of rounds at particular velocities:.

Different weapons pose different levels of threat. As such, different body armor products offer different levels of ballistic or knife stab protection. The U. B allistic threat levels are explained in terms of the size and speed of bullets that the body armor at that level can stop. B efore you purchase body armor, you need to fully understand the level of threat you are facing based on NIJ standards. The same standards are used to ensure military personnel and law enforcement officers are wearing body armor that offers optimal protection while in an operation.

Level 3 body armor stopping power

In Part 2 of this two-part series, we explain the NIJ armor protection levels and which armor stops which threats. Not all armor stops all threats. Each type is designed for stopping certain calibers and weapons. Therefore, it is important to know the armor types and what each one can do to keep you safe. The NIJ National Institute of Justice is the main governing body for armor sold in the United States and sets the standards for the various protection and performance levels. Soft armor is best used as concealed armor for patrol or other duty with long hours, as it is lighter, flexible, and more comfortable than hard armor. Hard armor is made using several different types of materials, based on cost and stopping power. The cheapest and heaviest is steel, but it is also the most dangerous because the armor deflects the bullet or bullet scraps spalling in all directions upon impact, sending shards flying at high speeds toward innocent bystanders and the officer wearing the armor. Next up is ceramic, which is lighter but costs a bit more due to its chemical complexity. Unlike steel armor, ceramic prevents spalling, instead of absorbing the bullet into the armor, relying on the back face to stop the projectile. Polyethylene is the third — and lightest — option. Level III polyethylene plates are ultra-lightweight and can stop rifle bullets up to and including 7. By adding a ceramic face, polyethylene plates can be certified to Level IV and will stop steel core and tactical rifle rounds up to and including grain.

Each level signifies the armour's capability to resist specific types of rounds at particular velocities:. Now, the following numbers are just averages.

Level IIIA protection is all about protection against handgun rounds. Under NIJ Whether the armor is hard or soft, the key to remember is that level IIIA indicates handgun protection. High concealable, level IIIA body armor is just a fraction of the weight of rifle-rated body armor. Better yet, our level IIIA soft body armor panels are very affordable which makes them a realistic option for many concerned citizens. Level III body armor is where the category gets much more specific. Level III can defeat handgun rounds, but is specifically designed to stop larger caliber rifle rounds such as 7.

Level 3 body armor is a type of ballistic plate armor that is designed to protect against a variety of rifle rounds. This armor is worn by law enforcement officers, military personnel, and anyone else who may be at risk of encountering higher-powered rifles in the line of duty. Level III body armor protects against a higher threat level than Level II armor and offers protection against rifle rounds [ read more Level 3 body armor is the first tier of bulletproof plate that protects against higher caliber rifle rounds, per NIJ standards. These rounds include the following:. When choosing between soft body armor and hard body armor, it is important to understand the key distinctions between the two. Soft body armor is flexible and designed to stop handgun rounds. Hard body armor, on the other hand, is typically made from more rigid materials such as ceramic, steel or polyethylene, and rated to stop rifle rounds. Soft body armor is generally lighter and more concealable, while hard body armor is heavier and offers more stopping power.

Level 3 body armor stopping power

Body armor serves as a shield in various professional settings like the military, law enforcement, and individual protection for the everyday citizen. The demand for body armor among professionals, and civilians has risen and contributed to advancing research and the development of new technologies. However, some intermediate cartridges, particularly M and M, could penetrate many early Level III plates due to bullet design and velocity.

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Typically, backpack plates will provide a greater area of coverage, though this means they can be heavier than a chest plate. This is roughly equivalent to the common. Level II body armor is commonly used by council workforce officers. Whether the armor is hard or soft, the key to remember is that level IIIA indicates handgun protection. The NIJ is the sole, national standard for body armor. However, if I asked you what you'd rather carry around for a few hours; a 6 pound bag of flour or a 15 pound bag of flour, you'd most definitely choose the former. If special testing needs to be performed with additional threats, the compliance test group will need another 14 complete armors for each additional threat. Christian Q. Outside of the NIJ, there are other testing protocols that have been established. This is something to consider when selecting body armor for a specific use case. A bulletproof vest could stop the bullets mentioned above b ut still fail l evel IIA certification if it cannot reduce the blunt trauma caused by the bullets.

Level IIIA protection is all about protection against handgun rounds. Under NIJ

You'd be hard pressed to find soft level 3 body armor. Share This. Bulletproof vests in level IIA have a maximum thickness of 4mm. Will probably be coming back to order more items in the future! The cheapest and heaviest is steel, but it is also the most dangerous because the armor deflects the bullet or bullet scraps spalling in all directions upon impact, sending shards flying at high speeds toward innocent bystanders and the officer wearing the armor. This means that the plates were tested in an independent lab according to the same standards the NIJ would test them at in their own lab. Filed in: body armor , composite plates , cost , level 3 , level 4 , NIJ , weight. This may be considered the acceptable standard, but once again, we go above and beyond at Atomic Defense. In-Conjunction plates are designed to meet their rating only when worn over soft armor. In fact, level IIA could stop the bullets used in testing level II body armor from penetrating, but the blunt trauma would still be dangerously high. However, most non-polyethylene level 3 plates weigh between 6 and 8 pounds. Level III can defeat handgun rounds, but is specifically designed to stop larger caliber rifle rounds such as 7. By far, the best vest I own. Christian Q.