Spartan Armor Systems Level III+ AR550 Body Armor

Published on May 22, 2015
Duration: 9:23

This review tests Spartan Armor Systems' AR550 Level III+ body armor against common rifle threats. The AR550 successfully stopped 5.56 NATO (XM193 and M855) at close range, demonstrating its effectiveness for Level III+ threats. An extreme test with M2AP .30-06 armor-piercing rounds showed penetration, highlighting the importance of selecting armor rated for specific threats, like the Level IV plate also presented.

Quick Summary

Spartan Armor Systems' AR550 Level III+ body armor is designed to defeat 5.56 NATO threats like XM193 and M855 at close quarters (CQB). Testing confirmed its effectiveness against these rounds, stopping them with minimal back-face deformation.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Spartan Armor Systems AR550
  2. 00:37AR500 vs. AR550 Specs
  3. 02:11Test 1: XM193 5.56 NATO
  4. 04:32Test 2: M855 62gr Green Tip
  5. 06:53Test 3: M2AP .30-06 AP (Extreme)
  6. 08:31Level IV Plate & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What threats does Spartan Armor Systems' AR550 Level III+ body armor defeat?

The AR550 Level III+ plates are specifically designed to defeat Level III+ threats, including 5.56 NATO rounds like XM193 and M855, especially at close quarters (CQB) ranges of 10-12 feet.

How does AR550 steel compare to AR500 steel in body armor?

AR550 steel features a higher core hardness compared to AR500 steel. This enhanced hardness allows AR550 plates to defeat more advanced threats, such as specific 5.56 NATO rifle rounds at CQB distances.

What was the outcome of testing the AR550 plate against M2AP .30-06 armor-piercing rounds?

Testing the AR550 plate against M2AP .30-06 163gr armor-piercing rounds at 2752 fps resulted in penetration. This demonstrates that the AR550 is not rated for armor-piercing threats, which require higher protection levels like Level IV.

What is the importance of selecting the correct body armor level?

It is crucial to match your body armor's protection level to the specific threats you anticipate. Using armor rated for Level III+ against threats designed for Level IV (like AP rounds) can lead to failure and serious injury.

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