This past week, we had an unexpected opportunity to shoot a couple of additional Level III plates to the same protocol as used for the Level III Patrol Armor Test in the initial post of this thread.
During this follow on testing, we shot two different Level III triple curve plate designs—a DefenseTech (DT855) Defend-X TCPL LIII and the In the Line of Fire (ILF) PBAIII01012 LIII.
Both plates tested were 10 x 12 inches. Once again, plate weights varied a bit due to design and construction differences:
DT855: 5.2 lbs—HB25 Dyneema composite
ILF: 6.1 lbs—an approximately 6 mm thick non-ferrous metal layer that on visual exam appears to possibly be aluminum overlying layers of Spectra Shield II and Gold Shield polyethelene laminates.
The plates were shot in exactly the same manner as previously discussed.
TEST RESULTS:
DT855: (one plate used for 5.56 mm and 12 ga. shots; second plate used for .30 caliber hits)
3 shots M193 successfully stopped by the plate.
3 shots of M855 successfully stopped by the plate
3 shots of LeMas successfully stopped by the plate
3 shots of M43 successfully stopped by the plate
3 shots of M67 successfully stopped by the plate
3 shots of M80 successfully stopped by the plate
3 shots of Corbon 130 gr TSX successfully stopped by the plate
1 shot of 12 ga slug successfully stopped by the plate
ILF: (vendor only provided one plate)
3 shots M193 successfully stopped by the plate.
3 shots of M855 fully perforated the plate and underlying soft armor
3 shots of LeMas successfully stopped by the plate
3 shots of M80 successfully stopped by the plate
Projectile Penetration Protection: The DT855 offered PPP on par with the MSA and TenH plates previously tested.
Back Face Deformation: The DT855 and ILF plates had midrange BFD that fell in between the best and worst plates previously discussed.
Spall: Neither the DT855 or ILF plates had significant spall
Plate Weight: The DT855 and ILF plates offered intermediate weights compared to previously tested plates.
Durability: Both the DT855 and ILF plates appeared to offer an acceptable level of durability on par with the plates previously tested, like the MSA and TenD
Annual X-ray Assessment: Neither the DT855 nor ILF plates require an annual x-ray assessment.
Cost: The LE pricing of the DT855 and ILF is unknown to us at this time.
CONCLUSION:
Kudos to DefenseTech for improving their plate in order to stop M855! Likewise, thanks to In the Line of Fire for submitting their plate for independent testing and verification.
If 5.56 mm M855 “green tip” was NOT a threat, then the In the Line of Fire PBAIII01012 LIII plate is an acceptable option, much like the previously tested DefenseTech Defend-X IM-LCP-LIII and Tencate Dyneema (or equivalent AMI SAPI3) plates.
The DefenseTech Defend-X TCPL LIII+ joins the AMI TAC3S, Tencate hybrid LE SAPI, and MSA/Paraclete DHP3-1012 as Level III plates capable of stopping the common spectrum of Level III threats faced by LE Patrol officers, including 5.56 mm M855 62 gr FMJ.
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In the Line of Fire also sent a Level IIIa hard plate, model PBAIIIA1012 to be tested. This plate weighed 4.5 lbs and was a triple curve 10x12” plate design using an approximately 6 mm thick non-ferrous metal layer (likely aluminum) overlying layers of Spectra Shield II polyethelene laminate. The plate lived up to its Level IIIa rating, stopping 9 mm 127 +P+ JHP, .44 Mag Win 250 gr JHP, and 12 ga. Win slugs fired at a distance of 10 feet. In addition, the In the Line of Fire IIIa plate stopped .30 cal M1 Carbine 110 gr FMJ also fired at 10 feet; 5.56 mm M193 55 gr FMJ easily defeated the plate. The big question is why someone would want to wear a Level IIIa hard plate, rather than IIIa soft concealable armor…
