NIJ STANDARDS
NIJ Level IIIA is designed to stop .357 Sig FMG FN bullets traveling at a velocity of ~1470 ft/s and .44 Magnum SJHP rounds at a velocity of ~1430 ft/s. The updates for 0101.07 HG2 include testing requirements for 9mm FMJ with a velocity of ~1470 ft/s and changed the .44 MAG test to a JHP (jacketed hollow point) with the same velocity requirements.
NIJ Level III rifle plates are designed to stop six spaced hits of 7.62x51mm NATO FMJ M80 at a velocity of ~2780 ft/s. Level III+ is a designation that the industry has adopted to show the capabilities of armour beyond the NIJ Level III testing. This indicates that the plate can withstand higher velocity rounds plus additional threats such as M855 and M193. The NIJ intends to address this in establishing the RF2 category of the 0101.07 standard.
NIJ Level IV are the highest rated armour plates under the NIJ standards. They are designed to take one hit from an Armour Piercing 30.06 traveling at a velocity of 2880 ft/s. This test will remain the same for the 0101.07 standard.
PLATE WEIGHTS
SIZE (MM) - CURVE - THREAT LEVEL - WEIGHT (KGS)
UHMWPE/Ceramic Armour Plate (SAPI)
250×300 - Single - III - 2.3kg
250×300 - Multi - III - 2.2kg
250×300 - Single - IV - 2.85kg
250×300 - Multi - IV - 2.75kg
280×360 - Single - III - 3.1kg
280×360 - Multi - III - 3.05kg
280×360 - Single - IV - 3.9kg
280×360 - Multi - IV - 3.85kg
UHMWPE Lightweight Armour Plate (SAPI)
250×300 - Single - III - 1.6kg
250×300 - Multi - III - 1.6kg
280×360 - Single - III - 2.2kg
280×360 - Multi - III - 2.2kg
250×300 - Single - IIIA - 0.5kg
250×300 - Multi - IIIA - 0.5kg
280×360 - Single - IIIA - 0.7kg
280×360 - Multi - IIIA - 0.7kg
250×300 - SOFT INSERT - IIIA - 0.5kg
280×360 - SOFT INSERT - IIIA - 0.6kg
Silicon Carbide Ceramic Armour Plate (SAPI)
250×300 - Single - III - 1.95kg
250×300 - Multi - III - 1.9kg
250×300 - Single - IV - 2.45kg
250×300 - Multi - IV - 2.4kg
280×360 - Single - III - 2.55kg
280×360 - Multi - III - 2.5kg
280×360 - Single - IV - 3.35kg
280×360 - Multi - IV 3.3kg