New AR500 A3 Plate Test!

Published on September 2, 2022
Duration: 17:09

This video provides a detailed test of the AR500 A3 Level III+ armor plates, including ballistic performance against green tip 5.56 and M80 ball .308 ammunition. The instructor highlights the plates' lightweight construction, polyethylene backing, alloy strike face, and frag lock coating, while also discussing their limitations such as price and shelf life. The testing demonstrates the plates' multi-hit capability under specific conditions and their performance near edges.

Quick Summary

The AR500 A3 armor plate is a Level III+ rated ballistic plate featuring a lightweight construction with a polyethylene backing and alloy strike face. It is designed to stop green tip 5.56 and M80 ball .308 ammunition, with multi-hit capability if impacts are spaced at least 2.5 inches apart. The plate also includes a 'Frag Lock' coating to mitigate fragmentation.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Disclaimer
  2. 00:31A3 Plate Specs & Features
  3. 01:45Frag Lock Coating & Cosmetic Issues
  4. 02:16Plate Size & Comfort
  5. 02:45Shelf Life & AP Rating
  6. 03:20NIJ Certification Status
  7. 03:375.56 Green Tip Test Setup
  8. 04:14First 5.56 Impact & Analysis
  9. 04:43Second & Third 5.56 Impacts
  10. 05:41Fourth 5.56 Impact & Edge Performance
  11. 07:05Continued 5.56 Testing to Failure
  12. 08:01Post-5.56 Test Plate Analysis
  13. 09:28.308 M80 Ball Test Setup
  14. 09:44First .308 Impact & Analysis
  15. 10:23Second .308 Impact
  16. 11:07Third .308 Impact & Edge Shot
  17. 12:08Fourth .308 Impact (Edge)
  18. 13:16Fifth .308 Impact (Bottom)
  19. 13:52Same Hole .308 Impacts
  20. 15:15Conclusion & Final Thoughts
  21. 16:46Merch & Channel Support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AR500 A3 armor plate rated for?

The AR500 A3 armor plate is rated Level III+ and is designed to stop green tip 5.56mm and M80 ball .308 Winchester ammunition. It is also pending NIJ certification.

What are the key construction features of the AR500 A3 plate?

The AR500 A3 plate features a lightweight design with a polyethylene backing and an alloy strike face. It is also coated with a 'Frag Lock' material to help capture fragmentation.

What are the limitations of the AR500 A3 armor plate?

The primary limitations include a high price point ($400 per plate), a shelf life of approximately five years, and it is not rated for AP (Armor Piercing) rounds. Multi-hit capability requires impacts to be at least 2.5 inches apart.

How did the AR500 A3 plate perform in ballistic testing?

The plate performed well against multiple hits of 5.56 green tip and .308 M80 ball, showing deformation but generally containing the rounds. Edge shots and repeated impacts in close proximity led to failure and fragmentation.

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