Harsh Words over Dragon Skin Certification tests

[Leatherneck]

I like a little controversy with my morning coffee. The issue of soldier protection seems to naturally incite high emotions.

TC

Dragon Skin Passes Dept. Of Justice Ballistic Tests
DEFENSEWATCH SPECIAL REPORT, 09-13-2006
Panic is rampant today inside one sector of the military-Industrial-Congressional Complex (MICC) as word spreads that Pinnacle Armor's Dragon Skin flexible body armor passed the ballistic tests conducted Monday and Tuesday at United States Test Laboratory in Wichita, Kansas, on behalf of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
Formal certification by NIJ of Dragon Skin for Level III protection is expected within the next few weeks.
Unlike the buggy-whip manufacturers who tried to ignore the foreseeable consequences the internal combustion engine would have on their products, the rigid ballistic-protective plate manufacturers fully comprehend the probable results of NIJ's certification. They will no doubt redouble their efforts to keep Congress from asking the tough questions about Army and Marine Corps fraudulent misrepresentations on this issue of life-or-death importance: What is the best-available body armor that our troops should be wearing?
When queried by Defense Watch about Monday's NIJ test, Murray Neal, President of Pinnacle Armor provided this statement:
“We have been working with the NIJ personnel in an aid to their establishing a test protocol and procedure for flexible rifle defeating body armor systems. We are pleased that it has come to fruition and that we have the first and only flexible rifle defeating armor to receive that certification. This is truly a milestone event for law enforcement and military personnel who have been looking for that validation. It has been a long 5 year process. Dragon Skin body armor does substantially enhance the protection capabilities of rifle defeating body armor with less trauma to the body, increased ballistic and multiple repeat hit capabilities, combined with flexibility and coverage options up to a full torso wrap for both males and females. Our mission has been and will always be, to provide the best armor that technology can provide for the survivability and protection for those who protect us."
A former President of Point Blank Body Armor, Inc., James Magee, Colonel, USMC (Ret.), had this to say when informed of the NIJ test results, "If Dragon Skin is NIJ certified for Level III protection, it will be the only body armor in the world that doesn't require augmentation with additional plates to achieve this level of ballistic protection."
The potential consequences of NIJ certifying Pinnacle Armor's Dragon Skin cannot be overstated. In an earlier interview, Magee said that if DOD were to ever decide to make Dragon Skin its standard-issue body armor, due to some event like NIJ certification, "... of 23 body armor companies in the US, 18 would go away and the remaining 5 largest would either buy Pinnacle Armor, or buy licenses to produce Dragon Skin."
In this same interview, Magee said, "Dragon Skin is hands down, the best body armor out there by two generations." His view has now gained crucial, independent confirmation as a result of this week's test results.
Another industry source, and a current competitor of Dragon Skin, reminded Defense Watch that the Army's procurement system had spent millions of dollars over the past three decades on body armor, and yet "all the technology in Interceptor [Body Armor design] today existed in the early 1970's."
He went on to say, "NIJ has set the standard for bullet penetrations, and [Pinnacle Armor] has met the NIJ standards. Dragon Skin has fulfilled very rigorous standards of performance. The Army has never set up a standard, but uses the NIJ standard when convenient, then switches when it chooses to. Trying to get a handle on the Army standard is like trying to grab an eel... Passing the NIJ test preempts anything the Army is thinking about."
America's Grunts finally have the unimpeachable results of an honest test of Dragon Skin conducted away from the corrupting influence of the US Army's acquisition mafia, particularly James Zhang, Steve Pinter, Karl Masters and their ilk.
Given previous mendacious statement by four staff members of the House Armed Services Committee, the Army procurement capos will continue to be aided and abetted by their congressional lackeys in their efforts to keep billions of DOD dollars going to favored producers of the clearly inferior Interceptor Body Armor.
Proving once again that the lives and limbs of American Grunts mean nothing inside the Beltway when weighed against protecting the financial interests of powerful elements within the Military Industrial Congressional Complex.
Note: Corrupt elements within Army acquisition will no doubt point out that the NIJ tests did not include all the components in a DOD First Article Test (FAT), such as environmental tests. These shysters will ignore that in the second of two ballistic tests of Dragon Skin in 2006,, but not controlled or directed by Natick/PEO-Soldier mafia, Dragon Skin has again passed. The first such successful test was the February 13 test on behalf of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted by the Army Aberdeen Test Center.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

As I recall, the now-recalled Zylon vests sported NIJ certification as well...even though the military refused to use Zylon in their protective armor.

Dragonskin may be the greatest thing since sliced bread; but Defense Watch isn't a competent source to report on it IMO and NIJ certification doesn't really convince me as NIJ has certified a lot vests that I wouldn't personally want to wear while a bullet was headed my way.

 

[Harry Tuttle]

http://www.pinnaclearmor.com/body-armor/sov.php

 

[quazi]

Full torso flexible level III protection? If this stuff lives up to its claim, I wonder what the small arms world is going to do to keep up?

Will level III body armor protect against steel core 7.62x39? Or do you have to go up to level IV for that kind of protection?

 

[Leatherneck]

There is A LOT of controversy over this certification going on at very high levels. With lawyers and Congresscritters involved, rational discussion is difficult. Two issues are at hand:
1. What protocols were used for the testing? and
2. Are the test labs involved neutral or not?

Here's a discussion that covers some of the ground:

Dragon Skin Body Armor (SOV-2000) Passes all NIJ Level III Tests at USTL
by David Crane, [email protected] Posted on Friday, September 15 @ 04:13:15 PDT by davidc
This just in: Pinnacle Armor, Inc.'s SOV-2000 Dragon Skin has just passed all NIJ Level III ballistic testing/requirements at USTL (United States Test Laboratory). Official NIJ Level III certification should come in approx. 3-4 weeks, but it will come. Pinnacle Armor company officials have told us that it's a done deal. This is BIG news for Pinnacle Armor and the body armor industry as a whole, as Dragon Skin is the first flexible hard armor (anti-rifle) system to receive NIJ Level III certification, and the only flexible armor system ever submitted.

Murray Neal, CEO of Pinnacle Armor released the following statement to DefenseReview:...
"We have been working with the NIJ personnel in an aid to their establishing a test protocol and procedure for flexible rifle defeating body armor systems. We are pleased that it has come to fruition and that we have the first and only flexible rifle defeating armor to receive that certification. This is truly a milestone event for law enforcement and military personnel who have been looking for that validation. It has been a long 5-year process. Dragon Skin body armor does substantially enhance the protection capabilities of rifle defeating body armor with less trauma to the body, increased ballistic and multiple repeat hit capabilities, combined with flexibility and coverage options up to a full torso wrap for both males and females. Our mission has been and will always be, to provide the best armor that technology can provide for the survivability and protection for those who protect us," Neal said.

Mr. Neal told us the following in a phone interview on Wednesday (September 13): "This is a history-making event. Now there's truly a flexible, rifle-defeating body armor that law enforcement and military can [rely on] as definitive proof that the allegations [stated, such as] that we "can't really [defeat] level three", [that] we "[cannot defeat NIJ] Level IV", which is yet to come, [and] that we "can't stop [projectiles] at obliquities [shots fired at the vests at oblique angles]" or you "can't shoot to the joints" and "it fails"--this [Dragon Skin passing NIJ Level III testing] has just dispelled it all."
10"x12" SOV-2000 Dragon Skin Level III/III+ Panel vs. SAPI (Small Arms Protective Insert) Level III Plate
Pinnacle Armor's 10"x12" Level III/III+ Dragon Skin panel weighs 4.9 lbs at approx. 3/4-inches thick. The SAPI plate (Level III) weighs approx. 4.6 lbs, but the Level III Dragon Skin panel can take at least two times the number of shots of that the SAPI can take for the test rounds. The SAPI plate is fragile, and must therefore be handled with care. It can crack, chip, or break if dropped or mishandled. The SAPI plate even says "Handle with Care" on the plate itself.. Not good for something intended to be used in a fluid, dynamic combat environment. Infantry warfare in general (and urban warfare in particular) is is a rough business, so any type of fragile, easy-to-damage gear or equipment is likely to create problems for the warfighter in the theater of operations.

By contrast, the 10"x12" SOV-2000 Dragon Skin panel (Level III/III+) is not fragile. It can survive a two-story drop and be none the worse for wear--i.e. no type of damage that would compromise the ballistic integrity of the armor.

As part of its test protocols, the newly-established NIJ Level III standard for flexible hard armor systems includes several additional requirements over the that of rigid armor systems (ceramic hard armor plates):

More Shots AND Obliquity Shots (a.k.a. Obliquities a.ka. Oblique Shots)

The new NIJ Level III flexible body armor (flexible hard armor) spec includes 6 shots on a 10"x12" panel as opposed to the 3-shot SAPI spec (i.e. "rigid system" spec), as well as 30-degree, 45-degree, and 55-degree obliquity requirements in it. Shooting the armor at oblique angles tests both ricochet and penetration aspects of the flexible system. Ricochets are more problematic in the civilian world than the military environment due to liability concerns for law enforcement departments. And not having ricochets until approximately 60 degrees unlike the rigid plates provides for less liability. According to Mr. Neal, when the NIJ Level IV flexible armor system (flexible hard armor) testing comes out, they're going to set "one huge milestone": Currently, the NIJ Level IV is one shot at zero-degree obliquity--that's it. The Level IV flexible body armor spec will call for six (6) shots on a 10"x12" panel, as well as the above-desribed obliquity shots.

That said, the new NIJ flexible body armor obliquity specification/requirement is designed for any/all flexible rifle-defeating systems because they've allowed the latitude in the specification to make adjustments in the obliquities based upon the configuration of the layout, and that will be in the spec. After all, there could theoretically be different flexible systems in the future.

And, here's the kicker: SOV-2000 Dragon Skin's Backface Deformation Signature (BDS) is 30% below the NIJ requirement for trauma, and averages about 445 fps (feet-per-second) faster V50s than the [muzzle-velocity] requirement. It should be noted that Pinnacle Armor has already received NIJ Level IIIA certification for the soft armor component of the SOV-2000 and SOV-3000 (Level IV) Dragon Skin systems (vests).

This significant development (SOV-2000 Dragon Skin passing ballistic testing for NIJ Level III certification) directly refutes some very negative public statements made about Dragon Skin body armor on ProfessionalSoldiers.com by Karl Masters, Program Manager for the Interceptor Body Armor Program at U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center (NSC)/Soldier Systems Center (Natick)/Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, earlier this year. At the time Mr. Masters made those public statements, he had just halted testing of Dragon Skin at H.P. White Laboratory, Inc. (Masters was the director of testing). When he halted the tests, Mr. Masters and his associate, James Zheng, had completed less than 1/3rd of the 30 tests that Pinnacle Armor and the U.S. Army/DoD (Department of Defense) had agreed-to beforehand.

Anyway, Mr. Masters and I had a direct exchange in that ProfessionalSoldiers.com thread after I asked him some direct questions.

Mr. Neal also weighed in on the thread in defense of his product.

I'll let the reader decide whether or not Mr. Masters answered my questions satisfactorily, including my question about the potential conflict of interest created by having the program manager for the Interceptor Body Armor Program (Karl Masters) being put in charge of testing a competing body armor system (Dragon Skin) which happens to also be the single biggest threat to the Interceptor program itself. I find it hard to believe that Mr. Masters and Mr. Zheng were the best two choices for conducting the U.S. Army's/DoD's testing of Dragon Skin. In my opinion, the Army/DoD should have found independent testers without any "dog in the hunt".

Defense Review is interested in what Mr. Masters has to say about the new NIJ Level III flexible body armor ballistic test protocols and requirements, and Pinnacle's SOV-2000 Dragon Skin body armor passing all of them--especially since the new NIJ Level III standard for flexible body armor systems would appear to be a higher/more difficult ballistic standard to meet than the current military standard for SAPI, at present (unconfirmed/unverified).

DefenseReview predicts that Pinnacle Armor will get NIJ Level IV certification for their Level IV/IV+ Dragon Skin very soon. It's quite likely they will achieve this before the end 2006.

 

[progunner1957]

The obvious solution is this: Give our soldiers the same body armor that the President gets. Problem solved!

 

[Owen]

So you think soldiers should be wearing concealable level II armor and a phalanx of Secret Service bodyguards?

 

[Manedwolf]

There are certain elements within the Pentagon, Congress and elsewhere that are beholden to the Point Blank corporation for continued income, and will thus say anything to keep them as the supplier, I believe.

This despite the failures a few years ago, and the fact that the owner of Point Blank has gotten so wealthy off the high-dollar exclusive contracts (war profiteering, isn't it?) that he threw a wretched-show-of-excess $10 million bat mitzvah for his daughter.

I want to see whatever works best on the troops, as soon as possible. Whoever makes it.

 

[armoredman]

How much does this stuff cost? Looked through the website, couldn't find a price list, did I miss it?

 

[Rabid Rabbit]

I've bought the SOV-2000 for security people in Iraq. They loved the stuff. Heaiver than kevlar but it provides level 3 protection all the way around not just the chest. If I remember right, the price was around $2,700 each.

 

[Derby FALs]

So you think soldiers should be wearing concealable level II armor and a phalanx of Secret Service bodyguards?

Whatever he wears as they can be each others bodyguards.

 

[Jeff White]

The NIJ standards for certifying body armor are so flawed the FBI has developed their own protocols. I wouldn't trust any NIJ rating to mean what NIJ says it to mean after the zylon debacle.

FBI BODY ARMOR TEST PROTOCOL
Administrative
The FBI Ballistic Research Facility, part of the Defensive Systems Unit of the Training Division, has created a body armor test protocol to ensure, that the vests issued to our personnel perform at the highest level possible. No test is perfect. No test can tell, with certainty, what will happen. Some key facts of this test protocol should be kept in mind.
1. The test is not meant to replace the NIJ Standardized testing. A prerequisite to FBI testing is that the subject vest have NIJ certification.
2. The test is designed to place additional, more stringent, demands on body armor.
3. The test is intended to simulate threats/conditions that FBI personnel are likely to face.
4. The test may be updated as needed, to reflect additional threats faced by FBI personnel.
5. Peer review input was requested to ensure that the FBI test protocol is relevant and repeatable. While all suggestions were reviewed, no promise was made that any suggestion would be implemented.
6. Peer review input, in many instances, was incorporated in the protocol.

Forward
The FBI test protocol is designed to test under conditions likely to be faced by our personnel. The test protocol replicates extreme cold, extreme heat and the submersion of a vest into water. The FBI test is also designed to assist the Law Enforcement and Military Community by providing an additional test standard that is scientifically repeatable. It is hoped that this will enable manufacturers of Body Armor to engineer through their own testing, products to better protect law enforcement officers and service members.
The FBI test protocol utilizes a "Control Projectile" which represents what we believe is the worst case handgun round our personnel are likely to face. It is understood that other projectiles, with higher threat levels, may come along in the future. They will be considered if/when they arise. The previous FBI protocol utilized a cartridge which was custom loaded and unobtainable by body armor manufacturers. As such, it was difficult for the body armor manufacturers to engineer products capable of passing the test. The result has traditionally been that most vests experienced penetrations during FBI testing.


FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
3
The test cannot account for every threat to be faced by our personnel. The main purpose of this test is to provide additional standards, based on the needs of the FBI.
The following individuals/companies were provided a copy of the protocol in draft form, and asked to provide their recommendations for changes, if any. Special thanks are offered to those who responded with comments/suggestions:

Government Agencies/individuals:
Catherine Crawford – UK Defence Clothing Research and Project Support
Dr. Bo Janzon – Swedish FOI
Dr. Eluned Lewis – UK Defence Clothing Research and Project Support
Drug Enforcement Administration, Firearms Training Unit
Greg Georgevitch – USASOC
National Institute of Justice
National Institute of Standards and Technologies
Kirk Rice, Weapons and Protective Systems
Michael Riley, Testing, Inspection, and Evaluation
James Wong
NLECTC-National, Lance Miller, Deputy Director, Manager, Testing Services
United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
United States Marshal’s Service

Independent researchers:
Kenneth Alexander
Dr. Martin Fackler
H.P. White Laboratories
Kevin McClung
Dr. Gary Roberts

Manufacturers of Body Armor
Armor Holdings
Diamondback Tactical dba Custom Armor Technologies
First Choice Armor
Point Blank
Protech Tactical Armor
RBR Tactical Armor
U.S. Armor


Scientific Method
The first step in this protocol was the designation of a "Control Projectile". Only
the projectile, velocity and rate of twist are specified. No mention of the cartridge and/or barrel length is made as neither is significant provided the linear velocity and rate of twist are correct.
This projectile was chosen specifically because it is believed to represent the most prolific threat commonly faced by our personnel. Additional considerations were

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
4
availability to body armor manufacturers and range safety. The projectile chosen, available from Federal Cartridge Company, part #706236, is similar to a standard NATO specification 9mm projectile. This projectile, because of the tight NATO specifications, is believed to have a high likelihood of its specifications remaining constant.
The only difference from the NATO specification is the addition of a brass closure disk to the base of the projectile. This closure disk has been added in an attempt to reduce airborne lead in a test range. It is the FBI's intent to hand-load test cartridges to achieve the most consistent velocity level. Non-lead primers will be obtained and tested with the hope that they can further reduce airborne lead in a test facility. Special thanks to Bob Kramer and Bernie Ness of the Federal Cartridge Company for their assistance in the development of this projectile.
The FBI intends to provide body armor manufacturers and independent test facilities with sufficient information so that they may replicate the FBI test. This approach, previously used with ammunition testing, has proven very effective and provided great benefit, not only to the FBI, but to Law Enforcement in general.
It is recognized that very few Law Enforcement agencies possess the capability of conducting their own ballistic testing. It is also recognized that a primary mission of the FBI is to provide training and assistance to Local and State Law Enforcement agencies.
Publication of body armor test data would provide great benefit to these agencies.
The FBI has published the results of its ammunition testing since approximately 1989. Since 1997, the FBI has maintained the position of providing performance data as opposed to performance opinion. The FBI makes no recommendations or judgments of "Pass" or "Fail" to inquiring Law Enforcement agencies. The FBI intends to publish body armor test data in a similar fashion. The FBI will report the test event, the ammunition used, and the result "Penetrated" or "Not Penetrated". It will be up to each agency to determine if the body armor meets their requirements.
All performance data will be “LE/Government restricted”, requiring an official letterhead request. The request must be signed by a supervisor (Sgt., or higher) and contain an “official use, non dissemination” statement. Additionally, test data will generally be provided to the manufacturer of the vest.
It should be remembered that the data reported will be obtained using relatively small sample sizes, under controlled and specified conditions, which do not necessarily represent every possible combination of circumstances that may influence projectile rigidity and impact velocity variations, impact angles, multiple close impacts, human rigidity factors and penetration characteristics in body armor. No test protocol can provide a certainty of ballistic protection.
For purposes of this protocol, the following definitions will apply: Penetration – The projectile, or any part thereof, completely passes through the ballistic panel and contacts or enters the gelatine.

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
5

Vest – A generic term for a ballistic protective garment.

Panel – Either the front or rear portion of a vest.

Carrier – The garment which holds the ballistic panels of the vest.

Contact Shot – a shot fired with the barrel of the test weapon in contact with the carrier of the vest.

TEST PROTOCOL
For statistical confidence, it is preferred that five tests be performed per the sample model of the vest being tested. One complete test requires four panels.
Consequently, a test of any model vest would require twenty panels. See attached
diagram showing impact areas of individual shots.

CONTROL PROJECTILE
The vest test will use a control projectile for most shots. This will consist of a 9mm NATO specification projectile, with an enclosed base, impacting the vest between 1375 and 1425 feet per second (fps). This projectile will be fired from a barrel with a twist rate of 1 turn in 10” +/- 1/4”.
This projectile can be purchased from the Federal Cartridge Company. It is identified as part number 706236.
Throughout this test protocol, the above will apply anywhere the words “control projectile” are shown.
In the event that control impact velocity is below specification, the shot will be repeated unless the projectile penetrated the vest.
In the event that control projectile impact velocity is above specification, the shot will be repeated only if the projectile penetrates the vest.
The control projectile, fired at the previously mentioned velocity from the previously mentioned rate of twist, will be used to formulate a base line. Other munitions carried by Special Agent personnel may be included. The velocity of all shots fired will be recorded, when possible. The chronograph (used to measure velocity) consists of three sensors which record the passing of the projectile. Based on the time differential of the triggering of each sensor, and the known distance between the sensors, velocity is measured.
The vest will be placed approximately 4’ beyond the last sensor.
Cartridges with velocities less than 1150 fps, and those to be used for contact shots, will be recorded using an estimated velocity. This estimated velocity would be based on a 10 shot sample, recorded the day of the test.

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
6

For all tests, the vest will be secured, using the strapping system and carrier of the
vest, to validated, nominal ten percent gelatine and re-secured whenever necessary.
Following each shot, the impact will be marked and any penetration will be documented.
The gelatine block weighs approximately 60 lbs. For dimensions, see attached photo of gelatine block and mold.
Body armor test samples will be a standard size and length to fit a male with a 44”
- 46” chest, 15” – 17” front length, 17” – 19” back length.

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
7

FBI BALLISTIC VEST TEST WORKSHEET AND STANDARDS
Purchasing Agency: FBI ______ OTHER:__________________________________
Manufacturer of Vest :____________________________________________________
Model: _________________________
Serial Number(s) : _______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
_______________ _______________ _______________
Composition of Vest: _____________________________________________________
NIJ Certification Level: _________________________
Date of Test: __________________________________
Testing Personnel: _______________________________________________________
A. Validation of Gelatine (Nominal 10% Ballistic Gelatine. BB velocity 590 fps +/- 15
fps. Penetration depth of 2.95” to 3.74”).
Block # Velocity of Validation Penetration in inches
Shot BB
1. ____ _______________ ________
2. ____ _______________ ________
3. ____ _______________ ________
4. ____ _______________ ________
SERVICE ROUNDS - CONTACT SHOT VELOCITY
Purpose
Handgun rounds currently carried by FBI personnel will be tested for “contact” shot penetration. This test will provide information on the ability of the vest to stop a projectile if the issued weapon is lost, pushed against the FBI person
and fired (as in a physical struggle). Although these rounds are thought to be a lesser threat than the “control” round, it is prudent to test those munitions actually in use by our personnel. This section is intended to record velocity of projectiles which cannot be measured contemporaneously with vest test due to the contact

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
8

nature of these shots. Average velocity will be used to estimate impact velocity.
Contact the FBI Defensive Systems Unit for a list of current service rounds.
Cartridge: ________________________________________________________
Lot:________________________
Average velocity of 10 shots: _____________________________
Standard Deviation: ___________
Extreme Spread: _________
Notes: ______________________________________________________
Cartridge: _____________________________________________________
Lot:________________________
Average velocity of 10 shots: _____________________________
Standard Deviation: ___________
Extreme Spread: _________
Notes: ______________________________________________________
Cartridge: _____________________________________________________
Lot:________________________
Average velocity of 10 shots: _____________________________
Standard Deviation: ___________
Extreme Spread: _________
Notes: ______________________________________________________
9mm 127 grain SXT +P+, 8.85” barrel with 1:9.84” rate of twist. Note: This cartridge is included due to historical data showing its propensity to penetrate some fabrics commonly used in the production of soft body armor.
Lot: _____________________
Average velocity of 10 shots: _____________________________
Standard Deviation: ___________
Extreme Spread: _________
Notes: ______________________________________________________

 

[Jeff White]

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
9


A. Dry Test - Control Projectile First Panel
Three rounds of test ammunition will be fired into the upper left side of the vest (shooter’s perspective) with the rounds impacting no closer than 1.25” and no further than 2” from any other shot, as measured on the outermost layer of the carrier.
The panels will be smoothed and re-strapped between shots. Every effort will be made to position the panels consistently, with respect to the carrier, for each shot.
Round A-1 Velocity: ___________ Penetration _____ No Penetration ____
Round A-2 Velocity: ___________ Penetration _____ No Penetration _____
Round A-3 Velocity: ___________ Penetration _____ No Penetration _____
Remarks: __________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
B. Multiple Rounds- Control Projectile First Panel
Three rounds will be fired into the center of the vest within a three inch diameter circle, drawn on the vest carrier. There will be no smoothing of the ballistic material between shots. If any round impacts the carrier less than 1 inch from another round, as measured on the outermost layer of the carrier, and penetrates, the test will be repeated. Every effort will be made to secure the vest to the block of gelatine in the same manner as designed to be worn. It is realized that successive rounds may impact the vest panels closer than they impact the carrier, due to bunching of the vest.
Round B-1 Velocity: ___________ Penetration _____ No Penetration _____
Round B-2 Velocity: ___________ Penetration _____ No Penetration _____
Round B-3 Velocity: ___________ Penetration _____ No Penetration _____
Remarks: ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
C. Edge Test - Control Projectile First Panel
*Rounds which impact outside the designated area will be repeated if penetration occurs less than 1.5” from edge or no penetration occurs more than
2.25” from edge.
1. One round of test ammunition will be fired into the vest approximately 1 ½ - 2” below the neckline. Technician will insure the ballistic panel is firmly against the gelatine block at the top during the test.


FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
10

Round C-1 Velocity: __________ Penetration _____ No Penetration _____
Remarks: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2. One round of test ammunition will be fired into the vest approximately 1 ½ - 2” above the lower edge of the ballistic panel. Technician will insure the ballistic panel is firmly against the gelatine block at the bottom during the test.
Round C-2 Velocity: __________ Penetration _____ No Penetration _____
Remarks: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
D. Heat Test - Control Projectile Second Panel
The panel will be placed into an environmental chamber and the temperature will be raised to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The panel will be conditioned
between 14-18 hours. Three rounds of test ammunition will be fired into the lower left quadrant (shooter’s perspective) of the abdominal area impacting no closer than 1.25” and no further than 2” from any other shot, as measured on the outermost layer of the carrier. The panels will be smoothed and re-strapped between shots. Every effort will be made to position the panels consistently, with respect to the carrier, for each shot. This test will simulate a vest being secured in a vehicle during the extreme heat of summer months.
Controlled Exposure Time: ____________________
Round D-1 Velocity: _________ Penetration ______ No Penetration _____
Round D-2 Velocity: _________ Penetration ______ No Penetration _____
Round D-3 Velocity: _________ Penetration ______ No Penetration _____
Remarks: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
E. Cold Test - Control Projectile Third Panel
The vest will be placed in an environmental chamber and the temperature reduced to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The panel will be conditioned between 14- 18 hours. Three rounds of test ammunition will be fired into the upper right quadrant (shooter’s perspective) of the chest area impacting no closer than 1.25” and no further than 2” from any other shot, as measured on the outermost layer of the carrier. The panels will be smoothed and re-strapped between shots. Every effort will be made to

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
11

position the panels consistently, with respect to the carrier, for each shot. This test will simulate a vest being secured in a vehicle during the extreme cold of winter months.
Controlled Exposure Time: ____________________
Round E-1 Velocity: ____________ Penetration _____ No Penetration ______
Round E-2 Velocity: ____________ Penetration _____ No Penetration ______
Round E-3 Velocity: ____________ Penetration _____ No Penetration ______
Remarks: _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
F. Wet Test - Control Projectile Fourth Panel
The vest will be submerged approximately 18”- 24” in room temperature tap water for 14-18 hours. Immediately upon removal from the water, the vest will be strapped to the block of gelatine. The test will commence as soon as possible.
Three rounds of control ammunition will be fired into the center of the chest area, impacting no closer than 1.25” and no further than 2” from any other shot, as measured on the outermost layer of the carrier. The panels will be smoothed and restrapped between shots. Every effort will be made to position the panels consistently, with respect to the carrier, for each shot. This will simulate a vest being exposed to heavy rain or having been immersed in a body of water.
Round F-1 Velocity: ____________ Penetration _____ No Penetration ______
Round F-2 Velocity: ____________ Penetration _____ No Penetration ______
Round F-3 Velocity: ____________ Penetration _____ No Penetration ______
Remarks: _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
G. Contact Shots Second, Third, or Fourth Panel
The muzzle of the test weapon will be placed as close to the vest as possible, making contact but not dimpling the outer carrier. One round of ammunition will be fired, impacting no closer than 1.25” from any other shot, as measured on the outermost layer of the carrier. The panels will be smoothed and restrapped between shots. Every effort will be made to position the panels consistently, with respect to the carrier, for each shot. This will simulate an encounter at point blank range. See attached template for approximate placement of shots.

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
12

SERVICE ROUND
All current-issue handgun caliber rounds will be tested against the vest. In the event that the round is used in both a handgun and a submachine gun, velocity testing will be conducted with each type of weapon. Thereafter, the weapon providing the higher velocity will be used for this test. In the event that only handguns are used with this round, the issue handgun with the longest barrel length will be used.
Cartridge: _______________________________
Panel Used: ____________________ Location: __________________
Test Weapon: _____________________________
Average Velocity as recorded above:______________________________
Penetration ______No Penetration _____
Cartridge: _______________________________
Panel Used: ____________________ Location: _________________
Test Weapon: _____________________________
Average Velocity as recorded above:______________________________
Penetration ______No Penetration _____
Cartridge: _______________________________
Panel Used: ____________________ Location: __________________
Test Weapon: _____________________________
Average Velocity as recorded above:______________________________
Penetration ______No Penetration _____


FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
13

Cartridge: _______________________________
Panel Used: ____________________ Location: ___________________
Test Weapon:_____________________________
Average Velocity as recorded above:______________________________
Penetration ______No Penetration _____
Cartridge: _______________________________
Panel Used:____________________ Location: __________________
Test Weapon: _____________________________
Average Velocity as recorded above:______________________________
Penetration ______No Penetration _____
Remarks:___________________________________________________
H. 9mm SXT Contact Shot Panel 3
9mm SXT 127 grain +P+, 8.85” barrel with 1:9.84” rate of twist.
Location: _______________________
Average Velocity as recorded above: _____________________
Penetration ______No Penetration ______
Remarks: _________________________________________________________

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
14

Gelatine Preparation
Equipment:
A scale that measures to .01 lbs.
Kind & Knox or Vyse 250A gelatine
Foam Eater
Cinnamon oil
5 gallon buckets (three)
Pitchers (1-gallon), three for each block you intend to make
Cordless drill with stir (paint mixing) attachment
Water heater set to 150-155 degrees Fahrenheit
Refrigerator set to 39 degrees Fahrenheit
Corrugated cardboard squares approx 3” X 3”, one per block
Sharpie marker
Aluminum mold(s)
Chronograph
BB Gun (nitrogen powered preferred)
Mix amounts – The gelatine utilized is referred to as “nominal” 10% ballistic gelatine.
The most appropriate mix ratio is discovered by testing. The current (08/2006) ratio in use at the BRF is 11.25%. Calibration is achieved by mixing in .25% intervals and conducting penetration testing. Valid gelatine will result in a BB penetration of 2.95” to 3.74” provided that the BB is traveling 575-605 feet per second (fps).
Procedure, using above ratio (11.25%):
Note: Three (3) 5-gallon buckets are utilized. One is for measuring (weighing) the proper amount of water. One is for mixing the gelatine. The last is filled with hot water and used to rinse the mixing paddle after each mix.
1. Weigh out 2.25 lbs of gelatine into each gallon container.
2. Weigh out 17.75 lbs of hot tap water and then pour it into the mix bucket.
3. Add 1.5ml of Foam Eater to the water.
4. Add .5 ml of cinnamon oil (anti-fungal agent).
5. While stirring the hot water, slowly pour in the 2.25 lbs of gelatine.
6. Stir until all gelatine has dissolved.
7. Rinse mixing paddle in rinse bucket.
8. Pour gelatine mix into the aluminum mold.
9. Repeat steps 2-8 twice.
10. Allow the gelatine mix to sit out in the pan several hours.
11. Place the gelatine into the refrigerator then place the cardboard squares on the
surface of the mix. The cardboard squares are approximately 3”x3”. The date of the mix is recorded on the cardboard along with lines to enter the block # (i.e. 1- 10), the BB velocity and the BB penetration. This “validation” information is entered into the datasheet during testing.

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
15

12. After a minimum of 24 hours, break the blocks of gelatine loose from the mold(s) by placing the mold(s) upside down and running hot water over them until the block drops free.
13. Verify the validity of each block by shooting a BB at 590 fps +/-15fps into each block and ensuring that the BB penetrates 2.95” to 3.74”.
14. Record validation information on the cardboard square.
Note: It is best practice to validate a gelatine block on the day of use. Blocks previously validated, but not used, should be re-validated on the actual test day.
Should you require additional information, please contact the following BRF
personnel:
Buford Boone
Alan Marshall
Linda Allison

FBI Body Armor Test Version 1.0
16

Supply Information

Chronograph Equipment
Oehler Research Ballistic Instrumentation
P.O. Box 9135
Austin, TX 78766
512-327-6900

Ballistic Gelatine (250 Type A)
Kind & Knox
2445 Port Neal industrial Road
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
800-223-9244

Vyse Gelatine Company
5010 North Rose Street
Schiller Park, IL 60176
847-678-4780

Cinnamon Oil
Sigma Chemical Co. (Order number C-7267)
P.O. Box 14508
St. Louis, MO 63178
314-771-5750

Foam Eater
Trace Chemicals LLC Doran 7050
839 Brenkman Drive
Pekin, IL 61554
800-846-2980

Scale
Doran 7050
A and A Scales LLC
78 North 12th St.
Prospect Park, NJ 07508
800-481-4114

Validation BB Gun
H-S Precision
1302 Turbine Drive
Rapid City, SD 57703
605-341-3006

Environmental Test Chamber
Tenny BTC-05-C
Thermal Products Solutions
P.O. Box 150
White Deer, PA 17887-0150
301-460-9530

Gelatine Mold
Manufactured In-house at FBI Academy. Should be able to have manufactured at
local sheet metal shop. Drawings and photographs attached.

Control Projectile – part number 706236
Federal Cartridge Company
Contact: Dawn Kees
800-256-8685 x 2268
[email protected]

Vendor specificity in this Test Protocol is intended to neither endorse nor recommend
a particular product or manufacturer. It is provided so that interested parties may
replicate any and all test conditions as conducted by the FBI.

This is the new standard by which body armor will be measured. The NIJ tests were always controversial and many people disagreed with the methodology used, particularly the backface deformation part of the test which used clay instead of ballistic gelatin.

Jeff

 

[ilbob]

I have a feeling that with as much money as is involved here, both sides will use whatever tactics they think will get them the business.

My suggestion is to outfit a couple of companies with the Dragon Skin stuff and see how it works. It appears to be at least as good as what is there now, so there should be no harm, and real life use might expose flaws the specs and tests don't.

 

[0007]

Just to throw a little more gasoline on the fire, there are "other" types of bullet-resistant materials being tested at the moment that will make both the Interceptor plate and the Dragon-Scale obsolete... Initial work was done in Israel; google "Israel body armor", if you are interested. A friend of mine in involved in the stuff on this side of the water.

 

[tellner]

Maybe we should get Underwriters' Laboratories to do the tests. They have an unimpeachable reputation for good research and honesty. Of course, the corrupting influence of the notoriously corrupt Pentagon procurement culture would probably ruin them

 

[Correia]

Wow, where to begin?

Okay, first off for full disclosure, I am a Pointblank dealer. FBMG does the armor for a bunch of police departments around Utah.

Mandewolf, if somebody has a company, and gets rich, and wants to throw a 10 million dollar party, why the hell should that concern you?

War Profiteering? Huh? I sell an Interceptor or SWAT Cert Plus for less than half of a Dragonscale vest, and it is profiteering? Why is it whenever I think of the word War Profiteering I get visions of Democrats screaming over Haliburton. It is a loaded word with zero facts designed to get people riled up.

The owners of Pointblank have gotten rich because we live in a capitalistic society (thank God). So if he wants to have a 10 million dollar Bar Mitzva, goody for him. I don't know, I've never met the guy. I just sell his stuff to local police departments.

Which, by the way, we've been replacing all of their faulty Zylon vests with new vests, with no charge. And nobody was ever shot through a Pointblank Zylon vest as far as I know. The failures were from Second Chance Zylon vests, and if you put the two side by side, you would see the Second Chance was a lot thinner (and comfier, which is why everybody loved them, until we learned they didn't stop bullets good).

Dragonscale might be the second coming for all I know. I don't know. I've never seen it, or used it. But I'm not going to freak out because I read an article that reads suspiciously like a press release.

NIJ standards are crap. Pretty much everybody agrees on that.

Level III does not stop rifle bullets. Level III all the way around is no big deal. It is the plates that are Level IV. That is what stops bullets in regular armor. My understanding of Dragonscale is that it offers that kind of protection all the way around, but then again, never seen it, only read the press releases, and we all know that those are 100% accurate all the time.

And for the presidential thing, no freaking way. If I had to go into battle, I would wear an Interceptor with plates way way way before I wore the (probably IIIA) that George Bush has on under his suit. If you don't understand this, go back and read up on body armor. It isn't magic.

 

[Leatherneck]

NIJ standards are crap. Pretty much everybody agrees on that.

Well, maybe not crap, but certainly in need of updating, if they're to be accepted by DoD. They've agreed to do just that.

Level III all the way around is no big deal.

It's not clear that Dragonskin actually meets that advertisement: only on shots that impact normal to the discs. Oblique shots are a problem.

TC

 

[White Horseradish]

How much does this stuff cost? Looked through the website, couldn't find a price list, did I miss it?

Don't look for it. It will not be there. Pinnacle does not sell it's armor to civilians. Government only.

 

[Thin Black Line]

They will no doubt redouble their efforts to keep Congress from asking the tough questions about Army and Marine Corps fraudulent misrepresentations on this issue of life-or-death importance: What is the best-available body armor that our troops should be wearing?

Which questions? The ones such as "How much is it?", "Will it bring more
jobs to my district?", "How many more people will be complaining about not
having enough money for their pet interest? (Medicare, Social Security,
Rx Coverage" and final question "What will my focus group and statistical
researchers tell me about how this one issue will influence my re-election?"

How's that?

 

[Thin Black Line]

BTW,

When I did my "build" for this armor, the price was around $3k retail. I
think the IBA with two plates is below $1600 now.......

 

[oh blanky]

Blackwater gets them.

Maybe through state dept or sumpin'

I'm going to try to order tomorrow.

 

[Lucky]

Jeff, I don't understand how you can argue that clay is worse than gelatin, for measuring backface deformation. Can you explain more clearly for me please?


Ilbob, I don't think of it as 'both sides', as much as I see an incredible similarity to 'Rearden Metal'. Un Freaking Canny similarity.

 

[Jeff White]

Clay is not elastic. Much of the tissue in your body is. Properly calibrated ordnance gelatin is a much better way to simulate the flesh below the body armor.

Jeff

 

[Soybomb]

I'm curious what, if anything, dragon skin could possibly do to help lower rated soft armors? Is dragon skin one homogenous weave of flexible fabric that can stop rifle rounds with enough layers? It it a more convention aramid fiber like kevlar woven with their own fiber or with their own fiber overlay? Just how flexible is flexible?

Those are the just plain interesting questions the useful one is if it can be used to be a thinner, more flexible pistol rated vest using their tech? Something as thick as a 2a, more flexible, and rated for 3a would of course let them own the market if it was proven not to be another zylon.