Body Armor Test - Level III Poly Plate

Published on February 8, 2023
Duration: 11:12

This video provides a comprehensive ballistic test of the Predator Armor Level III Poly Plate, demonstrating its performance against various handgun and rifle calibers. The test focuses on back face deformation (BFD) measured in clay, adhering to NIJ Level III standards. The plate, constructed from UHMWPE, proved effective, with all tested rounds resulting in BFD well below the 44mm maximum limit, even against the 7.62x51 M80 ball round.

Quick Summary

The Predator Armor Level III Poly Plate, made of UHMWPE, is 0.8 inches thick and weighs 3.5 pounds. It successfully stopped 9mm, .44 Mag, 5.56x45, 7.62x39, and 7.62x51 M80 ball rounds. All impacts resulted in Back Face Deformation (BFD) well below the 44mm NIJ Level III standard, with the M80 ball round causing 24mm of BFD.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Plate Test Overview
  2. 00:30Ammunition Test Plan
  3. 00:50Back Face Deformation Standard
  4. 01:13Armor Testing Setup
  5. 01:489mm Handgun Test Results
  6. 02:41.44 Mag Handgun Test Results
  7. 03:535.56x45 Rifle Test Results
  8. 04:567.62x39 Rifle Test Results
  9. 06:397.62x51 (M80 Ball) Rifle Test Results
  10. 08:16Additional 5.56 Test & Misses
  11. 09:54Conclusion: Performance Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Predator Armor Level III Poly Plate made of and what are its key specifications?

The Predator Armor Level III Poly Plate is constructed from UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene). It is 0.8 inches thick, weighs 3.5 pounds, is buoyant, and features a multi-curved design for enhanced comfort and fit.

What is the standard for Back Face Deformation (BFD) in Level III body armor testing?

For Level III body armor, the maximum allowed Back Face Deformation (BFD) is 44mm. This is measured by the displacement of the armor into a soft medium, typically clay, after being struck by a projectile.

How did the Predator Armor Level III Poly Plate perform against rifle rounds?

The plate successfully stopped 5.56x45 M193 and 7.62x39 rounds with BFDs of 20mm and comparable deformation respectively. The critical 7.62x51 M80 ball round resulted in 24mm of BFD, well within the 44mm limit, with only minor delamination on an edge shot.

What handgun calibers were tested against the Predator Armor Level III Poly Plate?

The plate was tested against a 9mm round (115 grain) fired from a Sig P320, which caused 8.8mm of BFD, and a .44 Magnum round (270 grain) fired from a Taurus Raging Hunter, resulting in 18mm of BFD.

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