Latest NIJ Certified Lab and Third-Party Lab 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.

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 backface 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.

For more information about ballistics testing, read here.

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

Model	Protection Level	Testing Link(s)	Tested Threat
1023		SMS Lab Feb 2025 Test Report ETL Lab November 2024 Test Report ETL Lab October 2024 (6-shot .30-06 M2AP) Test Report ETL Lab Oct 2024 Test Report ETL Lab Oct 2024 Edge Shot No CR Test Report	RF1, RF2, RF3, .30 M2AP
1969	RF3	ETL Lab Report July 2025 ETL Crown Test Video July 2025 SMS Lab Report July 2025 SMS Vertical Crown Test Video 1 July 2025 SMS Vertical Crown Test Video 2 July 2025 SMS Vertical Crown Test Video 3 July 2025 SMS Crown .30 M2AP M80A1 Video July 2025 SMS Test Report July 2025 .30 M2AP M80A1	RF1, RF2, RF3,.30 M2 AP, M80A1
8001 (currently not offered)	RF3	Model 8002 Identical without CAP SiC materials layup with 12mm HP Backing	RF1, RF2, RF3, .30 M2AP
8002	RF3	SMS Carbon CAP Test Report June 2025 SMS Carbon CAP Video June 2025 Field Test Video and Discussion	RF1, RF2, RF3, .30 M2AP
0425	RF3	Field Test Video and Discussion	RF1, RF2, RF3, .30 M2AP
1948	RF3 7.1 pds	Field Test Video and Discussion	RF1, RF2, RF3 .30 M2AP
6001SRT	SRT 5.1 pds	Field Test Video and Discussion Lab Report 7.62 x 39mm MSC Lab Report M855 (6 shot sample) Lab Report M193 (6 shot sample) Lab Report M80 3 stops, 1 below 44mm Video M193 Shot 1 Video M193 Shot 2 Video M193 Shot 3 Video M855 Shot 1 Video M855 Shot 2 Video M855 Shot 3 Video M80 shot 1 Video M80 Shot 2 Video M80 Shot 3 Video 7.62 x 39mm MSC Shot 1 Video 7.62 x 39mm MSC Shot 2 Video 7.62 x 39mm MSC Shot 3	SRT 3+ shots M193 3+ shots of 7.62 x 39mmm MSC 3+ shots of M855 3+ shots of M80 but BFD exceeds 44mm on shots 2/3. Notice low ceramic fragmentation on shots.
6001	RF2 5.4 pds	Field Test Video and Discussion Lab Report 7.62 x 39mm MSC Lab Report M855 (6 shot sample) Lab Report M193 (6 shot sample)	RF1, RF2
6908 (currently not offered)	RF2	OBL M855 Test Report OBL M855A1_1 Test Report OBL M855A1_2 Test Report OBL M193 Test Report OBL 7.62 X 39mm MSC Test Report OBL Cover Summary Test Report NTS M80 Test Report1 NTS M80 Test Report2 NTS M80 Test Report 3	RF1, RF2, M855A1
6911	RF2	OBL M855 Test Report OBL M855A1_1 Test Report OBL M855A1_2 Test Report OBL M193 Test Report OBL 7.62 X 39mm MSC Test Report OBL Cover Summary Test Report NTS M80 Test Report1 NTS M80 Test Report2 NTS M80 Test Report 3	RF1, RF2, M855A1
Thinnest UHMWPE Production Backing Plate for Ceramic Armor Models	HG2	NTS HG2 Backing Plate Test Report	HG2 (.44 MAG)