Steel Body Armor VS Armor Piercing Ammo

Published on February 15, 2018
Duration: 10:22

This video tests a prototype hybrid steel/ceramic body armor plate from Tactical Scorpion Gear against M2 armor-piercing ammunition fired from an M1 Garand. The test setup aimed for six evenly spaced hits to evaluate the plate's performance under significant threat. While the plate showed some ability to stop rounds, it ultimately failed to consistently defeat the armor-piercing ammunition, with several rounds penetrating the ceramic and steel layers. The instructor notes the core steel may be too thin for multi-hit capability against this threat level.

Quick Summary

A prototype hybrid steel/ceramic body armor plate was tested against 30-06 M2 armor-piercing ammunition fired from an M1 Garand. While the plate demonstrated some ability to stop individual rounds, its thinner steel core proved to be a limiting factor for multi-hit capability, with several rounds penetrating the armor.

Chapters

  1. 00:02Introduction and Test Setup
  2. 00:19Hybrid Steel/Ceramic Plate Overview
  3. 00:45Rigid Test Fixture Construction
  4. 01:38Plate Construction Comparison
  5. 02:07Previous Test Results Mentioned
  6. 02:37Preparing for Live Fire
  7. 04:05Post-Test Analysis Begins
  8. 04:26Challenges of Shooting in a Plate Carrier
  9. 05:01Round Stuck in Wood Backing
  10. 05:09Penetration Analysis
  11. 05:52Back of Plate Examination
  12. 06:01Internal Ceramic Damage
  13. 06:32Detailed Ceramic Layer View
  14. 06:54Key Impact Analysis
  15. 07:10Confirmed Penetrations
  16. 07:23Estimated Number of Stops
  17. 07:46Construction and Craftsmanship Assessment
  18. 08:06Steel Core Thickness Concerns
  19. 08:28Steel Brittleness and Cracking
  20. 09:04Multi-Hit vs. Single-Hit Rating
  21. 09:13Shot Placement Disclaimer
  22. 09:36Product Link and Future Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of ammunition was used to test the body armor plate?

The body armor plate was tested against 30-06 M2 armor-piercing (AP) ammunition. This type of round is designed to penetrate hardened targets and represents a significant threat to ballistic protection.

What is the construction of the prototype body armor plate tested?

The prototype plate is a hybrid design featuring a ceramic layer on the front and a steel core. This construction aims to balance protection with weight reduction compared to older, heavier steel plates.

Did the hybrid body armor plate stop all the armor-piercing rounds?

No, the plate did not stop all the rounds. While it showed some ability to stop several M2 AP rounds, multiple rounds penetrated the plate, indicating it may not be suitable for multi-hit scenarios against this threat.

What were the main findings regarding the plate's performance against M2 AP ammo?

The plate's ceramic layer was significantly damaged by impacts. The steel core, while dented, showed brittleness and cracking. The thinner steel core may be a limiting factor for multi-hit capability against armor-piercing threats.

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