Developing a suite of ballistic test methods in ASTM E54.04 for better harmonization and reuse in various ballistic resistance performance standards

Abstract

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) develops performance standards for the unique equipment used by law enforcement and corrections agencies for testing and certification of equipment to ensure it is safe and effective. NIJ published the first performance standard for ballistic-resistant police body armor in 1972 and established body armor conformance testing in the late 1970s. The NIJ Compliance Testing Program ensures that body armor purchased and used by law enforcement in the United States meets minimum performance requirements as demonstrated through standardized ballistic testing to the current NIJ Standard 0101.06, Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor, published in 2008. NIJ is presently working on its seventh revision to its performance standard for ballistic-resistant body armor, NIJ Standard 0101.07, anticipated to be published in 2019. The updated standard will include improved test methods for female body armor and updated protection levels for rifle threats. NIJ and the U.S. Army have been cooperating to harmonize laboratory test procedures and practices in ASTM Subcommittee E54.04 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Unlike the current and previous versions of the NIJ standard, which have been comprehensive, standalone documents, revision 0101.07 will incorporate by reference a suite of standardized test methods and practices developed in ASTM E54.04. Incorporation of relevant ASTM standards by reference into NIJ standards and U.S. Army requirements and testing documents, for example, affords the opportunity to harmonize laboratory test procedures and practices for both law enforcement and military ballistic-resistant armor and other ballistic-resistant equipment while providing those end-user communities with ultimate control over product specifications, such as the specific threats against which their equipment must protect.