Small Arms Protective Insert: Difference between revisions
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*Extra Large - 3.25 kg (7.20 lb) |
*Extra Large - 3.25 kg (7.20 lb) |
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SSAPI (Side SAPI) torso side plates (since replaced by the Enhanced Side Ballistic Insert) are as follows:<ref name="BAE" /> |
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* 1 kg (2.3 lb) | 150 x 200 mm (6 x 8 ) |
* 1 kg (2.3 lb) | 150 x 200 mm (6 x 8 in) |
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ESBI torso side plates are greater in weight, provide the same level of protection as ESAPI plates, and come in standard and extended sizes. The exact weight of these plates is not known, but it is likely that they share the same increase in weight as |
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*Standard - 1.35 kg (3.1 lb)[estimate] | 190.5 x 200 mm (7.5 x 8 in) |
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*Extended - [exact weight not known] |
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== Physics == |
== Physics == |
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Revision as of 15:08, 27 August 2019
The Small Arms Protective Insert (SAPI) is a ceramic trauma plate used by the United States Armed Forces. It was first used in the Interceptor body armor, a ballistic vest. It is now also used in the Improved Outer Tactical Vest as well as the Modular Tactical Vest, in addition to commercially available "plate carriers". The Kevlar Interceptor vest itself is designed to stop projectiles up to and including 9×19mm Parabellum submachine gun rounds, in addition to fragmentation. To protect against higher-velocity rifle rounds, SAPI plates are needed.
ESAPI
In May 2005, the U.S. Armed Forces began replacing the standard Small Arms Protective Insert plates with the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI).[1][2] An ESAPI provides protection from .30-06 Springfield M2 armor-piercing (AP) with a steel or tungsten [citation needed] penetrator in accordance with the NIJ Level IV standard, but costs about $600 per plate, 50% more than SAPI plates.[2] They are produced by Ceradyne, BAE Systems, and ArmorWorks Enterprises.[3]
XSAPI
A call for a next generation plate, to stop even greater velocity threats than the ESAPI plate was issued by the U.S. Army in 2008.[3] They specifically allowed scalar or flexible systems, and asked for better coverage, with less than a pound of additional weight.[4][5] XSAPI did in fact offer slightly better protection, at the cost of more weight and thicker armor profile.[6]
Materials and capabilities
The standard plate for the Interceptor body armor is made of boron carbide or silicon carbide ceramic.[1] New ESAPI plates are also made of boron carbide.[7] The standard plates are not given an NIJ rating, as they are tested in accordance with specific protocols for the military and not the NIJ's testing. Military testing calls for survivability of three hits from the round marked on the plate - for standard SAPI, of a caliber up to 7.62×51mm NATO M80 ball and of a muzzle velocity up to 2,750 ft/s (840 m/s). For ESAPI, a .30-06 Springfield M2 armor-piercing (AP) (.30-06 black-tip armor-piercing) cartridge. This performance is only assured when backed by the soft armor of the OTV (or any soft armor which meets military requirements for protection). The ceramic plate is backed with a shield made of Spectra, a material up to 40% stronger than Kevlar,[1] to trap any fragments of either plate or projectile and prevent them from injuring the wearer.
Sizes and weights
SAPI plates meant for body armor come in front and back plates which are identical, and smaller side plates. The front and back plates come in five sizes. Their dimensions are the following:[1][8]
Front and back SAPI plates:
- Extra Small - 1.27 kg (2.8 lb) | 184 x 292 mm (7¼ x 11½ in)
- Small - 1.59 kg (3.5 lb) | 222 x 298 mm (8¾ x 11¾ in)
- Medium - 1.82 kg (4.0 lb) | 241 x 318 mm (9½ x 12½ in)
- Large - 2.09 kg (4.6 lb) | 260 x 337 mm (10⅛ x 13¼ in)
- Extra Large 2.40 kg (5.3 lb) | 280 x 356 mm (11 x 14 in)
ESAPI plates are the same size but slightly greater in weight.[8]
- Extra Small - 1.70 kg (3.75 lb)
- Small - 2.08 kg (4.60 lb)
- Medium - 2.50 kg (5.50 lb)
- Large - 2.85 kg (6.30 lb)
- Extra Large - 3.25 kg (7.20 lb)
SSAPI (Side SAPI) torso side plates (since replaced by the Enhanced Side Ballistic Insert) are as follows:[8]
- 1 kg (2.3 lb) | 150 x 200 mm (6 x 8 in)
ESBI torso side plates are greater in weight, provide the same level of protection as ESAPI plates, and come in standard and extended sizes. The exact weight of these plates is not known, but it is likely that they share the same increase in weight as
- Standard - 1.35 kg (3.1 lb)[estimate] | 190.5 x 200 mm (7.5 x 8 in)
- Extended - [exact weight not known]
Physics
The mechanism of effect lies in absorbing and dissipating the projectile's kinetic energy in local shattering of the ceramic plate and blunting the bullet material on the hard ceramic. The Spectra backing then spreads the energy of the impact to a larger area and stops the fragments, reducing the likelihood of fatal injury to the wearer. The same principle is used for the ceramic tiles used for the armored cockpits of some military airplanes, and the anti-spallation liners used in modern armored personnel carriers.
It is a false assumption that eliminating the penetration of a projectile into the body by using a personal armour system ensures that the wearer will not experience serious injury or death. Blunt force trauma can cause fatal damage to internal organs.[9]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Interceptor Body Armor". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
- ^ a b "Up to $160M for Enhanced Interceptor Vest Protection (Updated)". Defense Industry Daily. Defense Industry Daily, LLC. 2005-08-23. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
- ^ a b "Plate Inserts for US Body Armor". Defense Industry Daily. Defense Industry Daily, LLC. 2008-10-19. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
- ^ Lowe, Christian (2007-06-27). "Army Seeks Body Armor for New Threat". Defense Tech. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ https://acquisition.army.mil/asfi/upload/W91CRB07R0041/Atch02-REVXSAPI-PD_A_.pdf[dead link]
- ^ https://www.bodyarmornews.com/better-body-armor-means-more-weight-for-troops/
- ^ VET BodyArmorFacts Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c "Hard Body Armor Insert Plates" (PDF). BAE Systems. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Cannon, L. (2001). "Behind Armour Blunt Trauma - an emerging problem". Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps. 147 (1): 87–96. doi:10.1136/jramc-147-01-09. PMID 11307682.