NCJ Number
189001
Date Published
February 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the characteristics of current models of
body armor.
Abstract
The specific vests described are manufactured by the following
companies: American Body Armor, U.S. Armor Corporation, Force
One, Protective Armor Corporation of America, and Second Chance.
Overall, vests fit better than ever before. While being lighter
in weight and more flexible, current models of body armor are
also thinner and offer enhanced ballistic capability. The number
of companies offering quality armor has increased considerably,
and each offers features that will appeal to a wide variety of
officers and agencies. A resource for any agency to pursue is the
body armor tests conducted by the National Institute of Justice
(NIJ). These tests, which include a set of standards that must be
passed, have been ongoing since March 1972. Since that time,
2,600 models of armor have been tested, resulting in four
revisions of the standards. The last revision was in 1987. The
current revision was released in September 2000. Between October
2000 and October 2001, NIJ will maintain two standards, the .03
and the .04, and will continue to test to both standards for
compliance. Armor that passes the .03 standard may not pass the
.04 standard. After October 2001, testing will be restricted to
the .04 standard. New from the NIJ is its first standard for the
stab resistance of body armor, again dated September 2000. The
online addresses of the companies profiled in this article are
provided.
Date Published: February 1, 2001