Kentucky Ballistics and Tactical Rifleman shoot the Safe Life Defense FRAS Armor

Published on September 4, 2020
Duration: 24:21

This video features a comprehensive ballistic test of the Safe Life Defense Flexible Rifle Armor System (FRAS) by Kentucky Ballistics and Tactical Rifleman. The FRAS, rated for Level III threats, successfully stopped common rifle rounds like 5.56mm M855 and 7.62x39mm. However, it was penetrated by higher-performance rounds such as the M855A1 and .224 Valkyrie, highlighting the limitations of its rating against advanced threats. The testing demonstrates the armor's capability against standard threats while also defining its performance boundaries.

Quick Summary

The Safe Life Defense FRAS armor, rated Level III Special Threat, successfully stops 5.56mm M855 and 7.62x39mm rounds. However, it was penetrated by M855A1, .224 Valkyrie, and .308 M80A1, highlighting its limitations against advanced armor-piercing projectiles and extreme velocities.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro to Safe Life Defense FRAS Armor
  2. 00:26FRAS Technical Ratings & Threat Levels
  3. 01:36Ballistic Testing: 5.56mm M855 Green Tip
  4. 04:06Ballistic Testing: AK-47 & .300 Blackout
  5. 07:27Shotgun & High-Velocity .224 Valkyrie Test
  6. 11:15Big Bore Handgun & M855A1 Testing
  7. 18:04Full Power Rifle & .50 BMG Test

Frequently Asked Questions

What threats can the Safe Life Defense FRAS armor stop?

The Safe Life Defense FRAS armor is rated for Level III Special Threats, meaning it is designed to stop common rifle rounds such as 5.56mm M855 'Green Tip' and 7.62x39mm soft core projectiles. It also successfully stopped 12 Gauge buckshot and slugs, as well as large bore handgun rounds like .50 AE and .500 S&W Magnum.

What are the limitations of the Safe Life Defense FRAS armor?

The FRAS armor demonstrated penetration against higher-performance rounds like the M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round and a .224 Valkyrie round fired at high velocity. It also failed against .308 M80A1 and, as expected, against a .50 BMG round. This indicates its limitations against armor-piercing projectiles and extreme velocities.

How does the Safe Life Defense FRAS compare to hard armor plates?

The FRAS is designed as a flexible rifle-rated armor system, bridging the gap between traditional soft armor and rigid hard plates. While it offers rifle protection in a flexible format, its performance against advanced threats is limited compared to higher-rated hard armor solutions.

What happens to the Safe Life Defense FRAS armor when hit by rifle rounds?

During testing, the ceramic tiles integrated within the FRAS vest shattered upon impact from rifle rounds like the M855. This is an expected failure mode for the ceramic component, indicating it absorbs and breaks up the projectile, but the vest's overall integrity after multiple hits in the same area is compromised.

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