Description
Rothco ACU Digital Camo MOLLE Plate Carrier Vest
Body Armor Rating
All body armor or armor plates are rated by threat levels set by the NIJ. The NIJ (National Institute of Justice) is the research and standardization department for the U.S. Department of Justice. They scientifically research crime, assess community needs, and evaluate safety products, with the end goal of reducing crime and fortifying the justice system. The complete Standard is located at https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publications/ballistic-resistance-body-armor-nij-standard-010106. These levels range from levels II to levels IV, however other organizations such as the military or FBI/DEA have established other testing protocols which are NOT NIJ certified, but fill very crucial and necessary threat levels specific to their needs.
Common Plate Material
Ceramic – The ceramic plates are typically composed of boron carbide, silicone carbine, or other similar materials. The benefits to ceramic plates is that they are lighter and the law enforcement or military personnel mobility is Not as impaired as metal or steel plates. The cons to ceramic plates is inferior multi-hit resistance, however as technology changes workarounds have improved this issue by adding other components to ceramic plates.
Metals – Typically, metal armor plates are composed of steel or titanium, but also some alloys such as aluminum are also added. Unlike ceramic plates, metal plates have a better multi-hit resistance quality, however metal plates have been known to ricochet or reflect projectiles, which increases the risk to arms, legs, or face, in addition to team or bystanders.
Plastics – Plastic armor plates are composed of multilayered sheets of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWP) which have evolved to be equal to the ballistic resistance of metal plates. This allows for higher level of protection along with less weight and greater mobility.
Other Available Colors: Olive Drab (RO-8924), Black (RO-8922), and Coyote Brown (RO-8923).
NOTE: Soft armor and plates are not included.
