Active Shooter Backpack Armor: Can M855A1 Defeat Plastic Armor ~AND~ A Book?

Published on March 15, 2019
Duration: 11:05

This video tests the ballistic performance of a Shot Stop Level III UHMWPE plate against M855 and M855A1 ammunition, both directly and when placed behind simulated backpack contents like newspapers and a laptop. The plate, not rated for these rounds, surprisingly stopped all tested projectiles without perforation, demonstrating impressive resilience. The presenter emphasizes that this is an informal test and not a guarantee of performance in real-world scenarios.

Quick Summary

A Level III UHMWPE plate, not officially rated for M855 or M855A1, demonstrated the ability to stop these rounds when placed behind simulated backpack contents like newspapers and a laptop. While the plate showed significant bulging, it did not perforate, highlighting its impressive resilience beyond its intended specifications.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction to Armor Testing
  2. 00:08Shot Stop UHMWPE Level III Plate Overview
  3. 00:21Polyethylene Plate Vulnerabilities (M855)
  4. 00:57Simulating Backpack Contents for Testing
  5. 01:13Test Setup: M855 with Newspaper 'Book'
  6. 01:50Newspaper Test Impact and Results
  7. 03:14Test Setup: M855 with Laptop
  8. 03:39Laptop Test Impact and Results
  9. 05:00Introduction to M855A1 Test
  10. 05:51M855A1 with Laptop Test Results
  11. 07:45Second M855A1 Test with Textbook
  12. 08:36Final M855A1 Textbook Test Results
  13. 09:27Analysis of Intervening Material Effects
  14. 10:04Conclusion: Impressive, Informal Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can M855 ammunition penetrate a Level III UHMWPE plate?

Generally, Level III UHMWPE plates are vulnerable to M855 ammunition when fired from barrels 14.5 inches or longer at close range. However, this video shows that with intervening materials like newspapers or a laptop, the plate was able to stop M855 without perforation.

What is the performance of M855A1 against backpack armor?

In this informal test, M855A1 ammunition was stopped by a Level III UHMWPE plate when placed behind a laptop. The plate showed significant bulging but no perforation, indicating impressive resilience against this higher-velocity round.

Does a laptop or book provide significant protection against rifle rounds?

Yes, intervening materials like a laptop or a stack of newspapers can help a ballistic plate stop rounds it might otherwise fail against. They can reduce projectile velocity and induce yaw, making the round less likely to perforate the armor.

Is a Level III UHMWPE plate rated to stop M855 or M855A1?

No, the tested Shot Stop Level III UHMWPE plate is not rated for M855 or M855A1 ammunition. Its ability to stop these rounds, especially with added materials, is considered an impressive, albeit informal, demonstration of its capabilities beyond its official rating.

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