NIJ (National Institute of Justice) Ballistic Threat Classifications NIJ IIA, NIJ II, NIJ IIIA, NIJ III, NIJ IV

NIJ (USA National Institute of Justice) Threat Classifications

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in America provides up to date standards that classify body armor according to the level of protection it gives. Please see below for a summary of the different threat levels according to the latest NIJ 0101.06 requirements. If you want to look at their recommendations in more detail, you can download the full document from here. If you are an embedded journalist or civilians working in danger zones with military escorts or advice available, be sure to ask for their recommendation as they will be best informed of the likely threats you will encounter. Alternatively, contact us for advice.

NIJ IIA (9mm; 40 S&W):

Armor is tested with 9mm Full Metal Jacketed Round Nose (FMJ RN) bullets with a specified mass of 8.0g (124 gr) and a velocity of 373m/s +/- 9.1 m/s (1225 ft/s +/- 30ft/s) and with .40 S&W Full Metal Jacketed (FMJ) bullets with a specified mass of 11.7g (180 gr) and a velocity of 352 m/s +/- 9.1 m/s (1155 ft/s +/- 30 ft/s).

NIJ II (9mm; 357 Magnum):

Armor is tested with 9 mm FMJ RN bullets with a specified mass of 8.0 g (124 gr) and a velocity of 398 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1305 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and with .357 Magnum Jacketed Soft Point (JSP) bullets with a specified mass of 10.2 g (158 gr) and a velocity of 436 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

Type IIIA (.357 SIG, 44 Magnum):

Armor is tested with .357 SIG FMJ Flat Nose (FN) bullets with a specified mass of 8.1 g (125 gr) and a velocity of 448 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1470 ft/s ± 30 ft/s) and with .44 Magnum Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) bullets with a specified mass of 15.6 g (240 gr) and a velocity of 436 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (1430 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

Type III (Rifles):

Hard armor or plate inserts is tested in a conditioned state with 7.62 mm FMJ, steel jacketed bullets (U.S. Military designation M80) with a specified mass of 9.6 g (147 gr) and a velocity of 847 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (2780 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).

Type IV (Armor Piercing Rifle):

Hard armor or plate inserts is tested in a conditioned state with .30 caliber armor piercing (AP) bullets (U.S. Military designation M2 AP) with a specified mass of 10.8 g (166 gr) and a velocity of 878 m/s ± 9.1 m/s (2880 ft/s ± 30 ft/s).