Guides & Briefs

New NIJ certification: Safariland, LLC BA-3A00S-SV02 (Level IIIA)

FMS Chile Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Improved Outer Tactical Vests (IOTVs) and Armor Plates

Industry Day and Presolicitation Notice HITS-UIII

NIJ 0101.07 Addendum 3 — What Changed in December 2025

NIJ published Addendum 3 to Standard 0101.07 on December 1, 2025. The update refines test-methodology language introduced by the 2023 standard and does not require manufacturers to recertify existing products. Here's what it changes.

Zylon — The Body Armor Failure Case That Reshaped NIJ Standards

In 2005 the Second Chance body-armor recall exposed rapid degradation of PBO (Zylon) fiber under real-world UV and moisture conditions. This guide covers what went wrong, what NIJ did in response, and why the Zylon lesson still shapes modern body-armor engineering.

Ballistic Helmets — The Complete ArmorOS Guide

The authoritative hub for ballistic helmets — NIJ 0106 and ACH-GEN-II standards, cut styles (ACH / MICH / FAST / high-cut), pad vs dial retention, NVG mounting (Wilcox, Ops-Core VAS), and procurement. Source-cited across every spec.

How Body Armor Gets NIJ Certified — From Bench Test to CPL Listing

NIJ certification is not a checkbox — it's a 9-to-18-month process involving private-lab pre-test, formal NIJ test-lab submission, CPL listing, and ongoing compliance. This guide walks the full path, what HP-White does, and why some products bench-test well but never ship.

NIJ 0106 — The US Ballistic Helmet Standard Explained

NIJ 0106 is the primary US civil-sector ballistic-helmet certification. This guide covers its three handgun-only threat levels (I, IIA, II), why the standard doesn't address rifle threats, and why most LE procurement specifications pair it with military ACH-GEN-II.

Ballistic Shields — The Complete ArmorOS Guide

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.

Body Armor — The Complete ArmorOS Guide

The authoritative hub for US body armor — NIJ 0101.06 vs 0101.07, civilian purchase rules, BVP grant eligibility, LE procurement paths, dealer directory, and product-level certifications. Every linked guide is sourced from primary documents.

NIJ 0108.01 — The Legacy Shield Standard, Still Required

NIJ 0108.01 has governed US ballistic shield certification since 1985. This guide covers its six threat levels, panel-only test scope, and how modern LE procurement increasingly pairs it with the newer ASTM E3347 specification for a full-assembly shield qualification.

NIJ CPL snapshot — 2,445 products currently listed across eight manufacturers

NIJ Level III vs IV — Which Your Agency Should Specify

Level IV stops single M2AP (.30-06 armor-piercing) rounds; Level III stops multi-hit M80 ball (7.62×51mm NATO). Choice depends on expected threat, carrier weight tolerance, and replacement budget. Here is how to decide.

NIJ 0101.06 → 0101.07 — What To Do With Your Existing Inventory

NIJ 0101.07 is the new baseline, but 0101.06 products remain valid for purchases made while they're still on the Compliant Products List. The question is when — not whether — to start the transition. Here's the decision framework.

NIJ 0101.07 Transition — What's Changing, What's Grandfathered, What to Buy

NIJ 0101.07 replaces 0101.06 as the body armor ballistic standard. New threat-level naming (HG1/HG2/RF1-RF3), expanded conditioning protocols, and a phased transition. Here's the purchase decision framework.

NIJ Threat Levels Explained — IIA, II, IIIA, III, IV vs HG1/HG2/RF1/RF2/RF3

NIJ threat levels define what ballistic threats body armor resists. Level IIIA stops most handgun rounds. Level III stops rifle rounds but not armor-piercing. Level IV adds AP protection. Here's how to pick the right level for the mission.