Frequently Asked Questions

ABS is not a single-product manufacturer. We design, develop, validate, kit, assemble, and distribute ballistic protection systems in partnership with leading global manufacturers. This model allows ABS to support both compliant NIJ programs and specialized mission-driven solutions.

Advanced Ballistic Systems (ABS) operates as a Technology & Innovation Center and program-level partner for ballistic protection initiatives. We support armor development, validation, compliant distribution, and lifecycle deployment for government, commercial, and international clients.

Yes. ABS supports hard armor and system development aligned with NIJ 0101.07 and NIJ 0123.00 through pre-submission testing, threat mapping, rapid prototyping, and validation planning at our Technology & Innovation Center.

Yes. ABS operates a Ballistic Helmet Program, including exclusive regional representation for select helmet technologies. We support configuration control, documentation, secure distribution, and lifecycle support. Our exclusive representation for Ballistic helmets is explained on this page- https://www.absarmor.com/ballistic-helmets

ABS represents a curated portfolio of vetted global manufacturers known for ballistic performance, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. Check out our solutions pages for specifics on these partnerships.

Yes. ABS supports mission-specific and commercial armor solutions when backed by credible third-party ballistic testing. These products are never marketed as NIJ compliant unless fully listed on the CPL.

Absolutely. ABS specializes in custom kitting, assembly, and configuration management, delivering ready-to-deploy armor and helmet systems tailored to mission requirements.

Yes. ABS has extensive experience supporting federal, state, local, and international government programs, including SBIR/STTR, OTA, BAA, and direct procurement pathways.

Yes. ABS supports procurement aligned with the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) and other grant-funded programs by ensuring CPL verification and documentation readiness.

Yes. ABS provides international distribution while fully complying with ITAR, EAR, and OFAC regulations and destination-country import requirements.

Clients can initiate engagement by contacting ABS directly. Our team assists with product selection, program alignment, customization, and logistics planning.

Yes. ABS assists clients with export license coordination when required, working closely with freight forwarders and regulatory authorities.

ABS does not directly conduct end-user training but coordinates manufacturer-provided training resources and documentation when available.

ABS offers secure warehousing, controlled kitting, assembly, documentation management, and global distribution through vetted logistics partners.

NIJ 0101.07 is the current ballistic resistance standard for body armor. It introduces more rigorous test methods, enhanced environmental conditioning, improved female armor evaluation, and stricter consistency requirements compared to NIJ 0101.06.

No. NIJ 0101.06 armor remains compliant and listed on the NIJ Compliant Products List (CPL) in 2026. However, all new NIJ submissions must follow 0101.07 testing, and many agencies are transitioning specifications to reflect the updated standard.

There is no such thing as “NIJ certified” body armor. NIJ does not certify products. Armor is considered NIJ compliant only after successful testing through the NIJ Compliance Testing Program (CTP) and listing on the NIJ Compliant Products List (CPL).

Item descRF1, RF2, and RF3 are rifle threat categories defined in NIJ 0123.00:

• RF1 covers common rifle threats such as 7.62×51 M80 and 5.56 M193

• RF2 adds protection against 5.56 M855

• RF3 includes armor-piercing threats such as .30-06 M2 AP
  These replace informal marketing terms like “Level III+.”ription

Buyers should verify compliance by:

• Checking the official NIJ Compliant Products List (CPL)

• Requesting full lab reports from NVLAP-accredited laboratories

• Confirming valid NIJ Test IDs

• Reviewing Follow-up Inspection and Testing (FIT) audit status

Lead times vary based on product availability, configuration, testing requirements, and logistics. Standard programs typically range from 3–6 weeks, while development or large-scale programs may vary.

Products are backed by manufacturer warranties, typically ranging from 5 to 10 years depending on the product and materials. Warranty details are provided with each program.

Rifle plate weight is influenced by threat level, ceramic strike face material, backing composition (such as UHMWPE), plate curvature, edge protection, and required multi-hit spacing. RF2 and RF3 plates typically require more robust ceramic and backing systems, which increase weight compared to RF1 designs.

Backface deformation (BFD) measures how much the armor deforms on the wearer-facing side during impact. Under NIJ 0101.07, BFD must not exceed 44mm. Excessive BFD can cause blunt force injuries even when penetration does not occur.

Ceramic materials such as alumina, silicon carbide, and boron carbide offer different balances of weight, hardness, cost, and durability. Higher-performance ceramics reduce weight but increase cost and manufacturing complexity. ABS helps map ceramic selection to threat level, budget, and production scalability.

Ballistic testing evaluates whether armor stops specific threats under defined conditions. NIJ compliance testing is a formal process conducted under the NIJ Compliance Testing Program (CTP) that includes environmental conditioning, quality audits, and ongoing Follow-up Inspection and Testing (FIT).

FIT is an ongoing NIJ program that audits manufacturers and randomly tests production armor to ensure continued compliance after CPL listing. Products that fail FIT can be suspended or removed from the CPL.

ABS reduces program risk by conducting pre-submission testing, validating materials and construction methods early, documenting traceability, and aligning designs with NIJ 0101.07 protocols before formal submission. This minimizes costly test failures and delays.

Yes. ABS supports rapid fielding through controlled inventory, modular kitting, validated configurations, and streamlined logistics. This enables faster deployment while maintaining documentation and compliance controls.

ABS supports lifecycle management including configuration control, documentation retention, replacement planning, warranty tracking, and sustainment support to ensure long-term program integrity.

Agencies should retain NIJ CPL listings, lab reports, Test IDs, FIT audit status, serial number records, warranties, and replacement schedules. Proper documentation supports audits, grant compliance, and liability protection.

Program-level partners like ABS integrate development, validation, compliance, logistics, and sustainment into a single execution framework. This reduces administrative burden, procurement risk, and long-term costs compared to fragmented vendor sourcing.

The FBI and DEA historically use agency-specific ballistic and trauma protocols, often derived from NIJ but modified to reflect operational priorities. These may include different impact velocities, shot spacing, environmental conditioning, and trauma thresholds. Such protocols are commonly used in federal solicitations and internal evaluations.

No. FBI and DEA testing is not NIJ compliance and does not result in CPL listing. However, these protocols are highly respected and are often used for internal selection, special units, and program-specific validation.

Yes. Because FBI and DEA protocols may emphasize different impact conditions or trauma metrics, armor that passes NIJ compliance may perform differently under federal testing. This is why many programs require dual-path testing depending on mission needs.

Backface Signature (BFS) measures how much a helmet deforms on the inside surface upon impact. Even without penetration, excessive BFS can cause blunt force trauma. BFS control is a key performance metric for helmets and is often evaluated using ASTM and federal test protocols.

Helmet performance includes ballistic resistance, blunt impact mitigation, stability, weight distribution, and accessory integration. Standards like ASTM E3368 and E3347 help evaluate these factors beyond simple pass/fail penetration tests.

Sourcewell and NASPO ValuePoint are cooperative purchasing organizations that allow eligible agencies to procure equipment through pre-competed contracts. These vehicles reduce procurement time, ensure competitive pricing, and simplify compliance for public sector buyers.

ABS supports agencies procuring ballistic protection through cooperative purchasing pathways like Sourcewell and NASPO by aligning products, documentation, and compliance requirements with contract terms and agency needs.

ASTM E3368/E3368M is a standardized test method for measuring ballistic resistance of helmets, including controlled impact conditions and repeatability requirements. While NIJ focuses on compliance listing, ASTM standards are often used for engineering validation, supplemental testing, and program-specific requirements, particularly for helmets and non-NIJ programs.

ASTM E3347/E3347M defines a standardized test method for blunt impact and non-penetrating projectile impacts. It is commonly used to evaluate helmet energy attenuation and trauma reduction, which are critical performance factors beyond simple ballistic penetration resistance.

NIJ standards are compliance-driven and tied to formal listing programs like the NIJ CPL. ASTM standards are test-method focused, offering flexible, repeatable procedures used for development, comparison testing, and supplemental validation. Many advanced programs use NIJ for compliance and ASTM for performance refinement.

For many years, ballistic shields were evaluated primarily under NIJ Standard 0108.01, which focused on ballistic penetration resistance but did not fully assess the complete shield system or real-world operational conditions.

Recently, ASTM International introduced ASTM E3347/E3347M, providing a modern, system-level standard specifically for ballistic shields. This standard evaluates the entire shield assembly—including the body, edges, viewports, seams, and handles—under conditions designed to better reflect real-world law enforcement and tactical use.

ASTM E3347 also established a formal pathway to third-party verification, including programs administered by organizations such as Safety Equipment Institute (SEI), moving shield evaluation away from self-certification and toward independent compliance verification.