DUKES™ TACTICAL

We understand that each military/law enforcement unit has its own unique  product requirements. 

The NIJ standard is the only nationally accepted standard  for protective vests and helmets in the United States. NIJ tests whether  the equipment meets their minimum standards in terms of shots, stabs,  blows and fragments.

NIJ is a standard for how powerful projectiles, the  bulletproof vest or the plate can stop. The higher the level, the more  powerful the projectiles are stopped. The highest NIJ level is level 4.  There is no level 5, although some online stores try to make it look like this. 

Here at DUKES™ TACTICAL, we offer customization service for tactical uniforms, bulletproof plates and plate carriers. In  this section, we would like to provide a guideline on the customization  process.

NIJ level 3 stops projectiles of the type:

• 7.62x51 NATO, M80 (NEW level 3 0101.06)
   
• 7.62x39 MSC, AK47
   
• 5.56x45 M193
   
• 5.56x45 mm SS109 / M855 (PE plates cannot stop these)
   

NIJ level 4 stops projectiles of the type:

• The same as NIJ level 3 (though not always 6 shots)
   
• 7.62x63 AP / .30-06 Springfield (NEW level 4 0101.06)
   

The advantage of an NIJ level 4 plate is that it stops  Armor Piercing bullets, which a hard armor in steel or 100% PE cannot  stop.