Advanced Armor Plates
Armor Plates are a great addition to any tactical vest and can provide an additional layer of protection against high-speed ballistic threats. They are also very lightweight and can be used in place of a soft armor vest when wearing one is considered too cumbersome.
Our Advanced Armor Plates are innovative in their technology and offer protection for the wearer that goes above and beyond typical hard armor protection.
NIJ Level III+
NIJ Level III+ Advanced Armor Plates are a new generation of hard armor plates designed to meet the needs of professionals in high-risk situations, especially police SWAT and private security. Featuring innovative technology to maximize protection and comfort, these products are a must-have for any tactical professional.
In a world full of uncertainty and threat, choosing the right armor can be an overwhelming task. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know what will work best for your application and budget.
The first thing to consider when selecting a new piece of armor is the type of threat you’re likely to face. For example, if you’re likely to be shot by a sniper or an anti-material rifle, you need a NIJ Level IV plate.
Another important consideration is the weight of the armor you choose. The lighter a plate is, the less it’s likely to weigh down your body, which can lead to more mobility and therefore better overall protection.
However, if you’re going to wear your new plate for extended periods of time, it should not weigh more than a few pounds. A plate that weighs too much will impede your ability to move and even more importantly, your safety.
For this reason, we’ve created a line of products that can offer a balance between performance and affordability. This is done by using polyethylene and ceramic materials that are both lightweight and thin enough to allow for comfortable wear.
Depending on the level of threat you face, you’ll also have to decide if you need stand-alone or in-conjunction with (ICW) plates. In-conjunction with (ICW) models do not require a backer, which can reduce the amount of weight your plates carry.
For the NIJ’s highest rated plate, we offer an innovative model that can stop multiple rounds of 7.62×51 mm NATO rifle ammo at 2750 feet per second. This is the fastest round in the NIJ’s arsenal and is often considered the gold standard of ballistic protection.
NIJ Level IIIA
NIJ Level IIIA Advanced Armor Plates are made with an innovative technology for maximum protection against high-powered rifle rounds. These plates can be used as part of a soft body armor system or as stand-alone plate inserts. These hard armors can defeat the 7.62x51mm NATO round (U.S. Military M80) to a velocity of 2780 feet per second. These plates can also be cut to a shooter’s cut for a more comfortable fit.
Unlike the “+” designation which indicates a special threat testing that shows the armor’s capabilities beyond NIJ Level III, this designation is not recognized by the NIJ but most manufacturers use it to indicate that their plates can withstand high-velocity rifle rounds as well as other threats like M855 “Green Tip” and M193. They are typically used in conjunction with Tactical Plate Carriers or Bulletproof Vests of your choice for high-risk situations when more protection is needed than a Level III plate can provide.
While the NIJ’s rating systems are important to understand, the threat test that they are based on may not be as relevant as you think. It’s also important to understand that a plate rated to stop a specific type of round may not actually stop the same type of round at a different caliber. This is because the speed that a round travels matters as well as the type of ammunition it uses.
Another important point to remember is that some armor-piercing ammunition (such as the.30-06 AP round) cannot penetrate the lining of these hard armors. It’s possible to make a plate stop armour-piercing rounds but it takes the use of a combination of ceramic and metal that can be much heavier than what is required for Level III and IV plates.
DefendAPack is proud to offer a full line of NIJ Level IIIA Advanced Armor plates that can be used in conjunction with your soft body armor system or as a stand-alone plate insert. These hard ballistic plates can be used in a wide range of tactical operations or anti-terrorist activities, and are ideal when wearing a soft armor vest beneath is not practical or too cumbersome.
