Dragon Skin Armor Passes More Tests: Dr. Gary Roberts and ‘Test Lab’ Video

by David Crane
[email protected]

On September 15 (2006), DefenseReview reported on Pinnacle Armor’s SOV-2000 Dragon Skin panels passing all NIJ Level III test protocols and requirements for flexible armor systems (anti-rifle body armor). Well, SOV-2000 Dragon Skin has just passed another fairly tough ballistic test, this one performed by Dr. Gary Roberts, who has been following the Dragon Skin vs. Interceptor Body Armor controversy with some interest. Dr. Roberts, a.k.a. "DocGKR" has published the results of his own ballistic testing of the Dragon Skin flexible hard armor (NIJ Level III anti-rifle body armor) tech and an Armored Mobility Incorporated (AMI) Level III SAPI-type armor plate (rigid armor) at Lightfighter Forums.

The NIJ Level III SOV-2000 Dragon Skin panels tested are…

comprised of imbricated and overlapping 0.25" x 2" silicon carbide ceramic discs encased in a ballistic fabric/fiber cover and further held in place via high-strength, high-temperature adhesive. Coverage provided by the encased Dragon Skin ceramic discs is 10" x 12", while the total external measurements of the Dragon Skin panel are 11.5" x 13.5". Dr. Roberts has reported the total weight of the SOV-2000 Dragon Skin panel as 6 lbs, while a Pinnacle Armor representative has stated that the weight of the SOV-2000 panel is actually 5.5 lbs. DefenseReview will attempt to ascertain the reason for the stated weight discrepancy between the two stated weights.

Dr. Roberts reports that the Level III AMI plates are fabricated by bonding a 3mm MARS steel layer to a compressed Dyneema backing with a linex anti-spall coating (spalling mitigation coating). Total pate thickness is 1 inch (1"). AMI Level III plate sizes are 12" x 14.5" (10 lbs) and 10 x 12" (9 lbs).

The SOV-2000 Dragon Skin panel and AMI armor plate, being Level III, are not rated to stop true AP rifle ammo. For that, you have to go to Level IV armor, which AMI does not currently offer. Pinnacle Armor does, however, and it’s called SOV-3000 Dragon Skin.
The following is an excerpt from Dr. Robert’s report on his ballistic test, which he conducted personally:

"Pinnacle Dragon Skin SOV-2000 level III armor was tested this week for an LE agency, along with stand-alone Armored Mobility Incorporated level III plate armor used as a control and for comparison. Both types of armor were conditioned for 12 hours at 170 degrees F, then moved to ambient air for approximately 90 min prior to being shot. The problems associated with the use of inelastic clay backing material have been well documented; as such, the armor was secured to a life-size curvilinear torso replica made of Perma-Gel. Each armor system was shot a minimum of 20 times with five shots of each ammunition type fired against each armor system–one 90 degree perpendicular shot, two shots at 60 degrees obliquity, and two shots at 30 degrees obliquity, using each of the following loads fired at a distance of 10 feet:

— 5.56 mm 40 gr LeMas Urban Warfare (using a moly coated Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet) with a 3718 f/s average velocity.
— 5.56 mm M855 62 gr FMJ with a 3054 f/s average velocity.
— 7.62×39 mm M43 123 gr steel-core FMJ with a 2307 f/s average velocity.
— .30-06 M2 150 gr FMJ with a 2736 f/s average velocity.

All of the above ammo was successfully stopped by both armor systems in this testing, with no armor failures or penetrations, even after receiving multiple hits."

Dr. Roberts sums up his report as follows:
"Both armor systems clearly met and exceeded the NIJ level III requirements and offered true multi-hit protection from the class of rifle projectiles they are rated to stop."

And, as if that isn’t enough, here’s a link to a recent video piece on Dragon Skin done by Test Lab for The History Channel.

Pinnacle Armor, Inc. can be contacted by phone at 559-320-1221 or 800-200-0915 (toll free), by fax at 559-320-1229, or by email at [email protected].

Armored Mobility Inc. (AMI) can be contacted by phone at 831-430-9899, by fax at 831-515-5555, or by email at [email protected]. Guess you should ask for Mike.

Click here to read a SFTT/DefenseWatch Special Report on Dragon Skin’s pending NIJ Level III certification, published on September 13, 2006.