Safariland has satisfied the hard armor plate requirements of the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ) new Voluntary Body Armor Compliance Testing Program under NIJ Standard-0101.06 (NIJ-06).

Safariland's PROTECH 2113MC-2 and 2113MC-3 were the first Level III hard armor plates to successfully complete the National Institute of Justice's updated testing protocol for Level III rifle threat compliance under NIJ-06. In addition to meeting NIJ-06 compliance testing, the 2113MC-3 also underwent special threat testing to include multiple impacts against the 7.62 x 39 mm MSC round, more commonly known as the AK-47.

As with all PROTECH NIJ-06 10x12 rifle threat plates, both 2113MC rifle plates were tested as stand-alone, which means their performance is not dependent on the addition of "in conjunction with" body armor. This makes these plates ideal for first responders.

Additionally, the rifle plates are manufactured in a contoured, multi-curve design with a military-style shooter's cut configuration, which affords greater range of motion in the arm and upper chest area.

The 2113MC-2 and 2113MC-3 plates are manufactured using ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, which makes the rifle plates among the lightest (just over three pounds) and strongest on the market. These plates are also positively buoyant, which makes them ideal for use in maritime patrol or other waterborne operations.

Safariland's PROTECH 2120-5 plate is one of three newly certified PROTECH Tactical Level (Type) III hard armor plates to successfully complete the National Institute of Justice's updated testing protocol for Level III rifle threat compliance under NIJ-06. In addition, the 2120-5 plate has undergone a series of special threat testing to include multiple impacts against 7.62mm 180gr PSP, 7.62 x 54R 150 gr. LPS, 5.56 mm 62 gr. M855 and 7.62 x 39 mm 123 gr. MSC ballistic rounds.

"We are very pleased that our PROTECH Tactical product line is leading the way with our Level III plates being the first to meet the NIJ's new standard," says Dan McNeil, Category Director of Tactical Hard and Soft Armor. "Not only are we the first manufacturer to successfully certify a Level III plate under NIJ-06, we've had three Level III plates pass the compliance testing, plus additional special threat testing.

Also, as with all of PROTECH's NIJ-06 certified rifle plates, the model 2120-5 plate was tested as a stand-alone plate, which means its performance is not dependent on the addition of "in conjunction with" body armor. This allows greater flexibility in using PROTECH's plates with any ballistic or non-ballistic vest configuration without compromising the safety of the officer, first responder, or operator.

Additionally, the model 2120-5 is manufactured in a contoured, multi-curve design with a military-style shooter's cut configuration, which affords greater range of motion in the arm and upper chest area while shouldering a long arm weapon. The 2120-5 is manufactured using an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and Alumina blend, which makes the rifle plate high performing and lightweight at less than six pounds.

Manufactured in Safariland's PROTECH Hard Armor facility located in Pittsfield, Mass., all PROTECH hard armor rifle plates are American made.