4 level "light" armor plate
Peculiarities
The light armor plate provides an ideal combo of weight and substantiality.
These are the first Ukrainian-made armor plates that weigh 3.1 kg and can retain a 7,62x39 armor-piercing incendiary bullet, class 5.
It is suitable for those who move a lot and require maximum protection.
Armor Steel
The Armox Advance armor steel used for these plates is from the best manufacturer in the world - the Swedish SSAB with hardness of 58-63 HRC and nominal thickness of only 5 mm! The correct processing of this steel allowed us to produce plates that meet level 4 of the State Standard of Ukraine and even more. Our plate can retain at least 1 shot from AKM 7,62x39, bullet 57-B3-231 (armor-piercing incendiary) even in the toughest lab conditions.
Anti-fragment capabilities
We use the lightest materials developed by ourselves to counter the ejection of the core and fragments of the bullet shell. The front part of the armor plate is covered with a special Ukrainian-made ballistic felt, which we additionally laminate with a special layer of PVC film to protect the plate from moisture and water. The felt is cut in accordance with the exact plate dimensions and applied under a special method of several-hour pressing. This allows the coating to firmly adhere to the plate and not fly away even after 6 shots.
But that's not all. We are always moving forward, that's why we added our unique development – side facing - to our plates. This material has density of 800 kg/m3! We press each plate with facings in a special device, where we leave it for an hour and a half. This method ensures that the felt adheres to the metal and makes them work as one, making it nearly impossible for the core to fly out from the side when hitting the edge of our armor plate.
Reducing the blunt force trauma
On the back of every plate, we install a softening damper made of EVA material that is 8 mm thick and has density of 80 kg/m3. Unlike a standard damper made of foamed polyethylene or rubber with density of 30-35 kg/m3, our damper almost does not deform over time and shows better results in reducing the blunt force trauma.
Light armor plates have minimal backface deformation from being hit by the rounds from Dragunov sniper rifle or other sniper rifles.
Form and dimensions
An armor plate has standard dimensions of 25х30 cm and the anatomical curve along the width of the chest. The cut angles do not prevent movement and enable you to use firearms in a comfortable way. The plate width with full coating comprises 21 mm.
State Standard of Ukraine, certificates and tests
Each of our plates belongs to a certain batch, has its own unique number and production date. Each batch of armor plates is submitted to a certified laboratory, where they are checked for compliance with the 8782:2018 State Standard of Ukraine under normal conditions. According to the results of the tests, a certificate for the batch is issued for a period of 6 months. A test report is attached to each certificate. You can find these documents on the webpage of each product.
According to the State Standard of Ukraine, each 4 level "reinforced" armor plate can retain the following:
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Dragunov sniper rifle, 7,62-mm rifle round 57-Н-323с (steel core light ball) in a steel shell with steel core.
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Bullet velocity of 850+/-15 м/s.
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АК-74, 5,45-mm round, 7Н10c bullet in a steel shell with steel heat-treated core, bullet velocity of 910+/-15 м/s.
*Since 1989, without changing the appearance and marking, instead of steel core light ball, a round with CT-M2 bullet with a core hardness of 65 HRC is produced and is similar to the B-32 bullet level 6.
It can additionally retain the following:
- AKM 7,62x39, bullet 57-B3-231 (armor-piercing incendiary) in a steel shell with steel heat-treated core
- АК-74, 5,45- mm round, 7Н6М bullet.
Difference from ceramic plates
Any ceramic plate has two disadvantages:
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It is disposable and needs to be replaced immediately after the first shot. This is exactly what happens in the world practice. There are always spare ceramic plates for each fighter. Plates made of armor steel can retain several shots and do not require immediate replacement.
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Backface deformation of a ceramic plate is much greater than that of an armor steel plate. Using ceramics without a ballistic vest with a package will likely cause a large blunt force trauma that will result in a broken rib or even damaged internal organs. Plates made of armor steel do not have such backface deformation and transmit the bullet energy over the entire plate, and not over a certain point. Hence, they have better indicators for reducing injuries.