Level IIIA Soft Armor Vs. The "Bear Load"
This video demonstrates the ballistic resistance of Level IIIA soft armor, specifically 12 layers of Kevlar, against a powerful .45 Colt 'Bear Load' round. The test, conducted for a senior engineering design project creating a portable shield for EMS personnel, shows the Kevlar successfully stopping the projectile, though with significant deformation and energy transfer. The instructor emphasizes that while penetration is prevented, the concussive force can still be dangerous.











