PPE & Helmet Testing

Ballistic (Vests, Inserts, Helmets & Visors)

PBL conducts helmet testing using either our NIJ pattern head form with sagittal and coronal cut-outs, or our muti-point clamp rig as specified for AEP-2920 v50 testing.

Our ballistic head form allow for either ballistic penetration or behind armour trauma methodologies to be utilised. While our muti-point clamp rig is used for AEP-2920 v50 fragmentation testing. Additional, bespoke rigs are used for testing of visors and eyewear.

Soft and hard armour is tested using conditioned Roma Plastina No1 Clay which has been thermally conditioned for a minimum of 24hours and calibrated prior to use. PBL has both HOSDB and NIJ specification plastillina trays.

Facilities:

PBL’s climate controlled ballistic test range is equipped to conduct testing of hard and soft body armour, helmets, visors and goggles against a range of projectiles from tiny Fragment Simulating Projectiles (FSP) up to armour piercing rifle threats such as 30-06 APM2 for NIJ level 4.

Roma Plastilina No1 and Plastiline 40 backings are conditioned to HOSDB / CAST and NIJ specifications and handled in accordance with ASTM E3004-20a.

Sample conditioning chambers allow for thermal conditioning of samples from -20°C to +60°C. Immersion tank and soft armour tumbler tests are available on request.

With industry leading precision achieved through our bespoke ammunition manufacture equipment and multi-screen chronographs, PBL can achieve the tightest of aimpoint grouping and velocity spreads.

High volume filtered extraction ensures a clean, safe and dust free working environment, especially important when testing composite and ceramic targets.

Services Offered:

Personal armour test services include:

• V50, V0, VProof
• Helmets to NIJ 0106.01
• Soft and hard plate systems to NIJ 0101.06
• Home office CAST 012/17 including Stab (from 2023)
• NIJ 0115.00 Stab (from 2023)
• Helmet Blunt trauma test including ECE22.05 & STANAG 2902 (pending)
• STANAG / AEP 2920
• Qualification, Certification & R&D
• Environmental Low/High/Humidity Temperature Exposure, Immersion

Typical products tested:

Polyethylene and Aramid Helmets, Vests and extended coverage, plates (standalone and ICW) coupons & fragmentation blankets, Goggles, Visors and Eyewear

Ballistic Capability:

Calibre: Saboted micro fragments up to 30-06”

Velocity: 100ms-1 to in excess of 2000ms-1 (subject to projectile type)

Impact: Guided drop towers.

Stab: Falling Sabot drop tube.

Typical test standards:

NIJ 0106.01: NIJ Standard for Ballistic Helmets

NIJ 0101.06: Ballistic resistance of Body Armour

NIJ 0115.00: Stab resistance of Personal Body Armour

NIJ 0108.01: Ballistic Resistant Protective Materials

STANAG 4296 Eye protection for the individual soldier

CAST 012/17

AEP-2920 / STANAG 2920: PROCEDURES FOR THE EVALUATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF PERSONAL ARMOUR BULLET AND FRAGMENTATION THREATS

MIL-STD-662F: V50 Test for ballistic armour