Level III+ Armor Standards for Optimal Protection

When it comes to personal protection, there is no room for error. That’s why it’s important to know the standards for Level III+ Armor, which is designed to provide the highest level of protection against rifle-fire. Here’s what you need to know about level III+ armor performance standards.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) defines level III+ armor as “hard body armor that provides ballistic protection against rifle rounds with velocities up to and including 7.62x51mm M80 Ball (.308 Winchester) at muzzle velocity.” In order to meet this standard, level III+ armor must be able to defeat six rounds of 7.62x51mm M80 Ball (.308 Winchester) fired at a distance of 10 meters.

In addition to being tested against rifle rounds, level III+ armor must also provide protection against fragmentation and blunt trauma. Fragmentation protection is measured by the V50, which is the velocity at which 50% of fragments are stopped by the armor. For level III+ armor, the V50 must be greater than or equal to 2300 ft/sec. Blunt trauma protection is measured by the BFD, which is the distance at which 50% of test subjects sustained a permanent injury from a blunt impact. For level III+, the BFD must be less than or equal to 24 inches.

Level III+ armor is designed to provide optimal protection against rifle fire, fragmentation, and blunt trauma. When choosing level III+ armor, it’s important to make sure that it meets the DOD’s standards for ballistic protection, as well as the V50 and BFD standards for fragmentation and blunt trauma protection. With so many variables to consider, it’s best to consult with a personal protection expert to find the right armor for your needs.

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