| Armacel's
Armor Classifications Types |
|
| TYPE II (HIGHER
VELOCITY .357 MAGNUM; 9MM) |
| This armor protects against
.357 Magnum jacketed soft-pointed bullets, with nominal masses of 10.2 (158gr), impacting
at a velocity of 425m/s (1395ft/s) or less, and against 9mm full-jacketed bullets with
nominal velocities of 358m/s (1175ft/s). It also protects against most other factory loads
in caliber .357 Magnum and 9mm, as well as the Type I and Type IIA threats. Type II body armor is heavier and more bulky than Type I and Type IIA. It is worn
full time by officers seeking protection against higher velocity .357 Magnum and 9mm
ammunition. |
| TYPE
IIIA (.44 MAGNUM; SUB MACHINEGUN 9MM). |
| This armor protects against .44 Magnum, lead
semi-wadcutter bullets with gas checks, nominal masses of 15.55g (240gr), impacting at a
velocity of 426m/s (1400ft/s) or less, and against 9mm full-metal jacketed bullets with
nominal masses of 8.0g (124gr),impacting at a velocity of 426m/s (1400ft/s) or less. It
also provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the Type I, Type IIA and
Type II threats. Type IIIA body armor provides the highest level of
protection currently available in concealable armor and is generally suitable for routine
wear in many situations. However, agencies located in hot, humid climates should evaluate
the use of Type IIIA armor. |
| TYPE III (HIGH-POWERED
RIFLE). |
| This armor, normally of a hard semi-rigid construction, protects against
7.62mm full-metal jacketed bullets (U.S. Military designation M80), with nominal masses of
9.7g (150gr), impacting at a velocity of 838m/s (2750ft/s) or less. It also provides
protection against threats such as 223 Remington (5.56mm FMJ), 30 Carbine FMJ, and
12-gauge rifle slugs, as well as the Type I, Type IIA, Type II and Type IIIA threats. Type
III body armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants
such protection, such as barricade conforntations involving sporting rifles. |
| TYPE IV (ARMOR-PIERCING RIFLE). |
| This armor protects against .30-06 caliber armor-piercing bullets (U.S.
Military designation APM2), with nominal masses of 10.8g (166gr) impacting at a velocity
of 868m/s (2850ft/s) or less. It also provides for at least single-hit protection against
the Type I, Type IIA, Type II, Type IIIA and Type III threats. Type IV body armor
provides the highest level of protection currently available. Because this armor is
intended to resist "armor-piercing" bullets, it often uses ceramic materials.
Such materials are brittle in nature and may provide for only single-shot protection,
since the ceramic tends to break when struck. As with Type III armor, Type IV armor is
clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection. |
| SPECIAL TYPE |
| A purchaser who has a special requirement for a level of protection other
than one of the above standard threat level should specify the exact test grounds and
minimum impact velocities to be used, and indicate that this standard shall govern in all
other respects. |
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