When it comes to body armor, not all armor plates are created equal. Level 4 ARMOR, also known as tactical armor, is the highest level of protection available. It is designed to protect against some of the most severe types of gunfire and other ballistic threats, including high-powered rifles like the AR-15. So what will level 4 body armor stop? Let’s take a look.
Level 4 Armor Plate Basics
Level 4 body armor is made from a combination of materials such as Kevlar, ceramic, polyethylene, and other composite materials. These materials work together to provide both protection from bullets and fragmentation (shrapnel) by dispersing energy throughout the plate and dissipating it into the surrounding material. The plates are designed to be lightweight while offering maximum coverage with minimal bulkiness or discomfort.
What Will Level 4 Armor Stop?
Level 4 body armor is tested using the NIJ standard 0101.06 which stipulates that any round fired at a velocity greater than 3,000 feet per second must be stopped by level IV armor plates for them to be considered “level IV” compliant. This means that level 4 plates will stop rounds up to .30 caliber AP (Armor Piercing) rounds fired from rifles such as an AK47 or AR-15 with muzzle velocities around 2,800 feet per second (fps). It should be noted that level IV plates are not designed to stop rounds from .50 caliber BMG rifles or .30-06 Springfield rifles; these require special orders for specialty steel core plates.
What Won’t Level 4 Armor Stop?
It is important to note that level IV body armor will not stop all types of rounds; it can only protect against specific types of ammunition specified by its NIJ certification rating and cannot provide protection against rifle rounds such as those mentioned above or other heavy-duty weapons like anti-tank guns or high explosive munitions. Additionally, some common handgun calibers may still penetrate through a level IV plate if they have a high enough velocity; this includes certain hollow point designs which expand upon impact and create more surface area than full metal jacketed (FMJ) bullets do when they hit their target.
All in all, Level 4 body armor provides excellent protection against most rifle rounds up to .30 caliber AP firing at muzzle velocities below 3,000 fps. While it won’t stop every type of round on its own, it does offer an impressive layer of protection for anyone who needs more defense than standard soft body armor can provide. It should always be used in conjunction with additional protective equipment such as helmets and eye protection for maximum safety and effectiveness in hostile environments. With proper use and maintenance, Level IV body armor can help you stay safe from even the toughest threats you might face on the battlefield.
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