Interceptor Body Armor

First of all "Interceptor Body Armor" is a Department of Defense name for a Mil Spec body armor system. Most people think it is only the armor made by Point Blank Body Armor. Most of the armor is made by Point Blank, but other gepaniesproduce it for the DOD, and also Point Blank subcontracts some of their orders out to other manufacturers.
Another misconception is thatInterceptor panels are NIJ level IIIa rated. They ARE NOT ! Point Blank or any other manufacturer has never submited any panels for testing. NIJ will confirm this fact. All Interceptor panels are manufactured to DOD Mil Spec ballistic standards instead. The Interceptor is constructed of 28 layers of KM2kevlar, which was developed by Dupont specifically for fragmentation resistance.They are tested by being shot with a 9mm slug from a test barrel 18" long, and by impact from specific 17g fragmentation projectiles.The military isnot concerned with .44 magnum, sothey are not designed ortested with .44 magnum. So Interceptor armor is great for protection from IED and grenade blasts, because that is their primary purpose. But if you are looking primarily for protection from gunshots and blunt trauma, especially a.44 magnum, you should look for a civilian level IIIa rated vest. Most civilian vests are kevlarand either goldflex or spectra, which gives them better high velocity and blunt trauma protection and lighter weight than an all kevlar vest.An interceptor vest panelwill probably stop a .44 magnum slug, but the blunt trauma may stillseverly injureyou. It will stoplesser rounds with reasonable blunt trauma injury. Also the Department of Defense has told okay that there isno surplus Interceptor Body Armor, either soft armor or SAPI or ESAPI, soin other words if it is IBA it is stolen. So that is okay's policy on IBA.
So Interceptor vests ARE good vests, but they may not be the BEST vest for your needs. Check around before you buy!
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thanks,
Frank, Product Design Manager for a body armor manufacturer