Library
Manufacturer-neutral reference content for body armor procurement professionals. New briefs published automatically when regulatory monitoring agents detect a material change.
The authoritative hub for ballistic shields — NIJ 0108.01 plus the new ASTM E3347 specification and E3141 test method, handheld vs standoff shields, viewport options, maintenance, and LE procurement. Source-cited across every spec.
Fielded body armor has a usable life shaped by UV, heat, moisture, and impact events. This guide covers the ASTM F3115 care-label signals, inspection intervals, when to retire a vest, and how to handle a BFS shot without re-certification.
ASTM E3347 is the first US performance specification purpose-built for LE ballistic shields. It covers shield body, edges, viewports, fasteners, and weak points — going beyond NIJ 0108.01's panel-only scope. This guide covers what E3347 actually tests and why it's rapidly becoming a procurement requirement.
ASTM E3141 defines how to test ballistic LE shields — shot placement, velocity measurement, acceptance criteria — the protocol that makes E3347 compliance a defensible certification. This guide covers the test structure and what distinguishes it from NIJ 0108.01's panel-centric methodology.