NIJ Standard 0101.03 1987

Links to Similar Test Standards

NIJ 0101.04
PSDB 7/03
FFEB BRV

Links to Alternate Test Standards

Mil-Std-662F
NATO STANAG 2920

Full Standard

NIJ Standard 0101.03 1987

U.S. Department of Justice

National Institute of Justice

Technology Assessment Program - Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this standard is to establish minimum performance requirements and methods of test for the ballistic resistance of police body armor intended to protect the torso from gunfire. This standard is a revision of NIJ Standard- 0101.02, Dated March 1985, clarifying the labeling requirements, acceptance criteria and backface signature measurement procedure. The scope of the standard is limited to ballistic resistance only; the standard does not address threats from knives and sharply pointed instruments, which are different types of threats. In addition, the standard does not address armor that incorporates inserts, or variations in construction of the ballistic panel over small areas of the torso, for purposes of increasing the basic level of protection of the armor (whether ballistic or blunt trauma) on localised areas.

2. Classification

Police body armors covered by this standard are classified into seven types, by level of ballistic protection performance. The classification of an armor panel that provides two or more levels of ballistic protection at different locations on the ballistic panel shall be that of the minimum ballistic protection provided at any location on the panel.

As of 1987, ballistic-resistant body armor suitable for routine full time wear throughout an entire shift of duty is available in two types I, II-A, and to a limited extent type II (depending largely on climate) which will provide protection from common handgun threats. Type III-A which will provide protection from 9mm submachine guns and 44 magnum handguns using the test rounds, and types III and IV, which will protect against high- powered rifles normally considered to be special purpose armor, most appropriate for use during tactical operations.

Table 1. Test Summary
Armor Type	Test Variables				Performance Requirements
Armor Type	Test Round	Test Ammunition	Nominal Bullet Mass	Minimum Required Bullet Velocity	Required Fair Hits Per Armor Part at 0° Angle of Incidence	Maximum Depth of Deformation	Required Fair Hits Per Armor Part at 30° Angle of Incidence
*These items must be specified by the user. All of the items must be specified. Abbreviations: AP-Armor Piercing FMJ- Full Metal Jacketed JSP-Jacketed Soft Point LRHV- Long Rifle High Velocity RN- Round Nose SWC- Semi- Wadcutter
I	1	38 Special RN Lead	10.2 g 158 gr	259 m/s (850 ft/s)	4	44 mm (1.73 in)	2
I	2	22 LRHV Lead	2.6 g 40 gr	320 m/s (1050 ft/s)	4	44 mm (1.73 in)	2
II-A	1	357 Magnum JSP	10.2 g 158 gr	381 m/s (1250 ft/s)	4	44 mm (1.73 in)	2
II-A	2	9 mm FMJ	8.0 g 124 gr	332 m/s (1090 ft/s)	4	44 mm (1.73 in)	2
II	1	357 Magnum JSP	10.2 g 158 gr	425 m/s (1395 ft/s)	4	44 mm (1.73 in)	2
II	2	9 mm FMJ	8.0 g 124 gr	358 m/s (1175 ft/s)	4	44 mm (1.73 in)	2
III-A	1	44 Magnum Lead SWC Gas Checked	15.55 g 240 gr	426 m/s (1400 ft/s)	4	44 mm (1.73 in)	2
III-A	2	9 mm FMJ	8.0 g 124 gr	426 m/s (1400 ft/s)	4	44 mm (1.73 in)	2
III		7.62 mm (308 Winchester) FMJ	9.7 g 150 gr	838 m/s (2750 ft/s)	6	44 mm (1.73 in)	0
IV		30-06 AP	10.8 g 166 gr	868 m/s (2850 ft/s)	1	44 mm (1.73 in)	0
Special Requirement	*	*	*	*	*	44 mm (1.73 in)	*