This document discusses the Compliance Testing Program (CTP), administered by NIJ's National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)-National on ballistic vest performance. Results indicate that the inspection discovered seven major construction variations that could impact ballistic performance. Major construction variations include a difference in the number of layers in a vest between the follow-up testing samples and the original samples, and leaking covers that allow water to penetrate to the ballistic panel. Inspection also identified 32 minor construction variations, meaning that the deviation does not affect ballistic performance. The first follow-up inspection was conducted in September 2010, and inspections continue at present. Through December 2011, inspectors completed 75 inspections of manufacturing locations and pulled 191 models of ballistic-resistant armor. Of those models, three sustained multiple perforations during laboratory testing, resulting in a manufacturers' total recall and replacement of more than 1,750 fielded armors to ensure that practitioners had effective ballistic body armor compliant with NIJ Standard 0101.06. In response to documented variations, manufacturers are working with the CTP to implement quality control improvements at several manufacturing locations to prevent additional variations.
NIJ Body Armor Follow-Up Inspection and Testing Program
NCJ Number
242255
Date Published
May 2012
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This document provides results on ballistic vest performance.
Abstract
Date Published: May 1, 2012