Latest NIJ Certified Lab and Field Testing Results

BEFORE you read ballistics test reports, please familiarize yourself with the terminology below.

Some NIJ-certified laboratories use different terms to indicate a successful test. Under "Penetration" columns, you will notice several possible terms. Of note, "None" and "Partial Penetration" mean exactly the same thing. "NIJ certified lab" does NOT mean NIJ certified.

Under the Penetration or Notes columns:

NONE (same as PARTIAL PENETRATION): This occurs when the projectile (bullet) breaks the ceramic and is caught by the backer. PP will always have a backface deformation (BFD) measurement. The NIJ requires a BFD of 44mm or lower (when there are 6 shots per plate, BFD is measured on shot 6 and three other shots). Sometimes partial penetration information above 44mm will be included to show that the armor will stop the projectile/threat.

PARTIAL PENETRATION (PP): A more accurate term than "none" and describes the entry of the bullet into the armor plate where the fragments are trapped. This occurs when the projectile (bullet) breaks the ceramic and is caught by the backer. PP will always have a back face deformation (BFD) measurement. The NIJ requires a BFD of 44mm or lower. Sometimes partial penetration information above 44mm will be included to show that the armor will stop the projectile/threat.

COMPLETE PENETRATION (CP): This occurs when the projectile (bullet) or a fragment passes through the armor. This will not have a BFD measurement and is considered an armor failure. You may notice a CP on test reports, especially after one or more successful PPs. CPs are important tools during research and development and we use data from CPs to adjust material types and layering.

Under testing notes or other:

MECHANICAL TESTING or DROP TESTING refers to plate drop testing. SUBMERSION testing refers to armor submerged under water. Those conditions are described on the test report.

CROWN TESTING: The crown of the armor plate (highest point) is the most vulnerable location. If your provider is not testing the crown, then the plate is not being adequately tested. For example, you may see a manufacturer provide a test report showing two shots of .30 M2AP. One of the shots may be in the lower right quadrant. The other shot may be in the upper left quadrant. Or, the shot locations may not even be described accurately. These locations are easier to resist because they are not crown shots. Remember, look for crown shots when making purchasing decisions because armor is only as strong as its crown resistance.

You can also refer to the ballistics reports below and contact the labs directly with questions about their terminology and/or process.

We do our best to maximize performance. However, ballistics is about management of energy and sometimes projectiles can do crazy things. Even though we try to put our best foot forward, everyone should understand that we cannot expect armor to resist the same number of projectiles during every test. A lot about performance rests on shot placement, velocity and design. No armor (including ours) should ever be expected to perform flawlessly and independent of shot placement and velocity variations.

Note that we do not always decide to produce an armor model after Research and Development work.

For more information about ballistics testing, read here.

Table below is always in process as new results are received.