These standalone armor plates are made of solid PE. This means they are so light, they even float in water and weigh half as much as level III+ steel plates. Not only are these plates lighter than steel plates, they are also just as effective (or even more so) at stopping bullets and they are safer. Steel plates can cause bullets to ricochet or shatter and produce shrapnel, while our PE plates are designed to deform bullets in a safer manner. These Level III ballistic plates offer the best protection that withstands rifle rounds and any lesser ammunition. The compact construction allows these plates to slide into any backpack or purse as well as the correct carrier vest for the size. Level III Body Armor Plates are effective and easy to use. We recommend ordering two plates — one for the chest and another for the back. Order NIJ III Bulletproof Inserts from Atomic Defense for free shipping and a competitive price.
- Notable features: A lightweight build with ergonomic construction. The lightest plate that exceeds NIJ III standards.
- Ballistic resistance: Standalone NIJ level III plates are tested to stop 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm FMJ lead core and hollow point rifle ammunition from common rifles like the AK-47 and AR-15. The plates also protect against 9mm, 10mm, .45cal, .40cal, .380, .38 Special, and lesser calibers.
- Testing procedure: Our testers go above and beyond the NIJ requirement for ballistic resistance by firing multiple 5.56x45mm and 7.62x39mm FMJ lead core and hollow point rounds as well as 7.62x51mm/.308.
Features
- ERGONOMIC: Curved to match your body shape. The real ESAPI shooter's cut and body curve allows accurate shooting and arm movement.
- LEGAL TRAVEL: TSA & airplane safe. Level 3 standalone polyethylene protection (better than IIIa or 3a) that can be used during airline travel too.
- NIJ III Rated: Blocks and stops various sniper, pistol, assault rifles, airgun rounds. Best thing to have in a life or death situation. Two plate purchase is recommended for vests and clothing to cover both front and back areas.
- BETTER THAN IIIA & KEVLAR: Stops various AR-15 with 5.56 & AK-47 with 7.62 & more, see description. Military-grade PE and ceramic mil spec plating. Tried and tested to stop multiple fully-automatic rounds from various weapons.
- MORE COMPACT THAN KEVLAR: 250x300x16 mm, 25x30x1.6 cm, 10x12x0.6 inches. (width x height x depth) and weighing less than 4 pounds. Now in 11x14x0.6 inches and weighing under 5 pounds.
- This model complies with NIJ Standard-0101.06 for Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor.
- Designed with low-visibility paint for optimal stealth in low-light environments
- Fire, water, and dust resistant
Specs
- Exceeds the NIJ's parameters for level III ballistic resistance
- Weight: 3.9 pounds (10x12 inch size) and 4.9 pounds (11x14 inch size)
- Material: Military-grade PE plating
- Complies with: NIJ level III under standard 0101.06
In the Box
- NIJ level III bulletproof plate (Equal to commercial III+ plates)
FAQ
How Are These Insert Panels Different From the Competition?
Wear our Level III insert panels for dependable ceramic armor with support from MIL-SPEC polyethylene plating. Many Level III plates and vests feature ceramic alone, this premium plate uses only highly compressed PE. This enables us to construct lightweight, comfortable vests that perform above NIJ requirements.
We take our Level III bulletproof plates a step beyond other options in the category by constructing them with only expensive PE material. As a result, these Level III plates are stronger than Kevlar and lighter than steel — excellent combinations of protection and mobility.
Why PE Insert Panels?
PE is among the most effective materials for bulletproof panels. When a bullet makes contact with the plastic coating, the resulting friction causes it to melt. Heat softens the plate, enabling it to absorb the bullet's energy and disperse it around the plate. The surface cools and hardens again to contain the bullet. The absorption and cooling processes limit the area that the bullet can affect, allowing a PE vest to withstand near countless and multiple hits before breaking.
What Is NIJ Level III Body Armor?
The NIJ III Bulletproof Inserts comply with the National Institute of Justice's (NIJ) standard 0101.06 for body armor. Under this standard, body armor must keep backface deformation to 44mm or less. There are five categories, and Level III is the third highest and the first to resist and stop rifle bullets.
A Level III armor plate can stop a 7.62x51 mm NATO FMJ, steel-jacketed bullet at speeds between 2,850 and 2,910 fps. Vests undergo testing in a conditioned state, rather than brand-new. Atomic Defense tests Level III plates to ensure they withstand multiple 7.62x51 mm NATO FMJ steel-jacketed hits, exceeding NIJ requirements to better protect you.
Level III armor offers safety against serious threats, making it a pertinent defense tool. Various common rifles fire 7.62x51 mm NATO FMJ rounds. Choose Level III ballistic plates for your carrier vest or personal bag for military-level bullet resistance when you need it.
What Is the Difference Between NIJ Level III and III+ Plates?
The NIJ standard 0101.06 for the ballistic resistance of body armor categorizes body armor into five categories: IIA, II, IIIA, III, and IV. The big difference between NIJ level III and III+ plates is that the “III+” terminology isn't a recognized level by the NIJ.