How Do You Test Body armor clothing?

Shoot it. Every type of body armor clothing must pass a set of military ballistics tests before it's distributed to soldiers. The exact requirements for passing these tests—how strong the armor must be, and in what conditions—are classified, according to an Army spokesman. (Vests worn by law-enforcement officers must undergo a similar process, laid out in a document published by the National Institute of Justice.)

Army Test

Army's report on the Dragon Skin tests, summarized here, reveals that testers started by measuring, weighing, and photographing the armor vests, and then taking a series of X-rays. Then they subjected the armor to a series of gunshots, at different angles and from various weapons.

The shooting part of an armor test takes place in two phases. In the "penetration and backface signature" phase, testers set the vest against a clay tablet and fire six rounds at specified locations, including spots over the heart and on the sides. After each round, they examine the dented clay to measure how deeply the bullet impacted the armor. The test for lighter armor requires shooting at four vests—six bullets to the front of each, six to the back—which makes 48 bullets in all. If any of them penetrate the vest or dent the clay more than 44 millimeters, the armor will be deemed unsafe.

Environmental Conditions also tested

Testers also simulate different environmental conditions. For example, they might shoot the vest after spraying it with water. For the Dragon Skin tests, the Army looked at a temperature range of minus 20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, plus a high-heat 160-degree condition. They also gauged the armor's strength at high altitude, and after soaking it in oil or salt water.

Who conducts these tests, anyway? Many armor manufacturers send their new products to one of the two major ballistics testing facilities, H.P. White and United States Test Laboratory. These places have standardized shooting ranges and camera systems that document the tests. (See video of the Dragon Skin tests here.) Vests intended for police also have to be approved by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center, which inspects for craftsmanship.

This is probably the question that most people will ask, can civilians buy body armor clothing? well, it depends on the law of your state.

You can always ask your Body Armor Distributors.