MAY 19th POST. NIJ WORKSHOP
On Thursday May 8th NIJ hosted a workshop to introduce a “Draft” of the new NIJ 06 Standard.
The meeting was well attended by many in the industry. The meeting was informative and well presented by NIJ, NLECTC and NIST staff.
On May 7th prior to the NIJ meeting Tex Tech and USBE hosted several individuals from the industry to introduce our Core Technology.
During the afternoon we hosted a presentation to discuss the New Draft NIJ Std titled “What to Expect”.
The intent of this meeting was to inform those in attendance of the content of the new standard and to have substantive discussions regarding the impact the new standard could potentially have on:
The way we currently design Armor.
The way we submit Armor for compliance testing.
The materials we use.
The costs associated with testing and R&D.
The efficacy of Core Technology today and in the future.
As I stated during the presentation my intent was not to:
• Provide information which is intended to be critical of the authors of the new Std. (I personally know most who are involved in writing the New NIJ Std. I am sure their primary motivation in writing this standard is to better protect the lives of the men, women, husbands, wives, sons and daughters who serve in our Law Enforcement and Military Communities. This motivation and commitment is also shared by myself and should be shared by all in the industry.)
• Provide information with the intent come to conclusions regarding the efficacy of the new Std.
Our afternoon session consisted of two parts.
1. A brief presentation on the History of Body Armor and testing.
2. A presentation expanding on Seven Critical Differences between the current NIJ 05 STD and the New NIJ 06 draft. (as seen below in “Snapshot” form)
SNAPSHOT
Compare NIJ 05 & NIJ 06:
Important:
The NEW 06 Std has increased by more than a factor of 6.
Under the 05 std., cert. was achieved with ~65 shots by submitting 6 vests.
The 06 Std requires submission of 28 vest with 384 shots over ~ 15 days.
05 cert ~$3,200.00
06 cert ~$23,000.00
Seven Critical Differences between NIJ 05. and NIJ 06
1. Most Velocities in NIJ 06 are higher by 100fps.
2. 357 Sig 125gr FMJ FN replaces 9mm 124gr in level 3A
3. Shots 1-3 are measured for BFS, (36 total per cert)
4. 9mm’s and 357 Sigs are shot @ 2” from the edge (shots 1-3)
5. Environmental Protcol
a. 10 days, 72,000 revolutions @ cyclic Temp and humidity
b. Conditioned Armors are tested @ reduced Vel. (90fps)
c. Correlation to “Street USE” not known.
d. 30 min. water immersion vs.6 min spray
6. New Levels of Redundancy for Safety margins.
a. Higher Velocities
b. More shots
7. New 120 shot V-50 protocol with Proj. Performance Curves
During our presentation we showed a variety samples that were conditioned mechanically in a tumbler.
There appears to be some confusion in the marketplace, both by those in attendance as well as by some who were not in attendance regarding my position on the use of Uni-Directionals, "now and in the future."
"I want to be very clear." My position remains unchanged regarding the “value” uni-directionals have in both the design of Ballistic Architecture and in helping to save the lives of those serving in the Law Enforcement and Military Industry.
As one who has tested and designed more Armor containing uni-directionals over a longer period of time than most in this industry, “I remain fully convinced in both the "validity and efficacy of use" regarding uni-directionals in Ballistic Architecture, now and in the future.”
Any "misunderstanding" of my position on this matter over anything I may have said during the presentation by those in attendance is regrettable.
Any “misrepresentation” of my position by any who were not in attendance is suspect.
I did express concern there was “the potential” the environmental protocol could make the use of both uni-directionals and micro-laminates more difficult.
I do not believe, the NIJ Scientists involved in developing the new Standard intend to eliminate the use of these materials.
In fact, limiting the use of uni-directionals would be both a “tragedy and great disservice” to the entire Law Enforcement Community.
I hope this clarifies my statements during the presentation as well as the intent of the presentation by USBE.
Should anyone like to have a presentation on “Core Technology” you may contact Tex Tech Industries.
Should anyone like to discuss the “New NIJ 06 Std” you may contact USBE directly.
