DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news.
By David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
June 20, 2011
Last updated on 1/05/13.
DefenseReview (DR) received the following (sanitized) email message a few days ago from DR contributor/writer "H.B." (active U.S. military SOF assaulter/operator) on the Velocity Systems Phalanx VS-PBZ "Ballistic Rifle Plate" SAPI-Type multi-hit ceramic hard armor plate:
"From: XXXX
David,
Yesterday I got to handle some extremely lightweight Velocity systems armor. This system precisely: http://soldiersystems.net/2010/03/16/new-lightweight-multi-hit-plate-from-velocity-systems/
It didn't stop 7.62×54(R), so it would disqualify itself from use overseas because of it's inability to stop PKM or SVD fire. However, for stateside use where 30.06 and 7.62×54 (R) are less common, the plates definitely would be an asset to patrol officers, in my opinion. Very cool.
I think I have said before to you that I believe the next generation of armor is a super lightweight set that stops PKM fire. The 7.62×39 is obviously the caliber that everyone stateside and overseas has to worry about. I think that because of the 5.56mm prevalence in the US and now that it is given to our "allies" OCONUS ballistic plates need to be able to stop that also. The 7.62x54mm is the litmus test for overseas work because the Muj are aware that our vehicles can withstand volumes of AK fire but the glass is vulnerable to 7.62x54mm AP in concentration. I imagine if we seriously went loud with Mexico you might see a massive need for ballistic plates also.
XXXX"
Soldier Systems was pretty excited about a Size "Medium" (9.5"Wx12.5"L) Phalanx VS-PBZ hard armor plate weighing only 4 lbs (4 pounds) and being only .5 inches (.5") thick, but "H.B." makes a good point about the importance of being able to stop the 7.62x54mm Russian PKM machine gun/SVD sniper rifle round overseas. On the domestic front, we've now got the new M855A1 EPR (Enhanced Performace Round) "Green Ammo" environmentally-friendly/eco-concious/enemy-hostile 5.56x45mm NATO (5.56mm NATO) round rumored to have been originally designed and developed by the good folks at Liberty Ammunition, that one must assume will end up on the commercial market at some point.
So, my question is how does the Phalanx VS-PBZ plate perform against the M855A1 EPR round? Also, how does it perform against military surplus M80 Ball 7.62x51mm NATO (7.62mm NATO) and M2 .30-06 Springfield rounds?
How much would in-conjunction and stand-alone VS-PBZ-type Phalanx lightweight Level IV plates weigh? It's Defense Review's understanding that the current Velocity Systems Phalanx VS-PBZ multi-hit anti-rifle hard armor plate is still an "in conjunction" plate that requires an NIJ Level IIIA soft armor backer/backing (unconfirmed/unverified).
According to Soldier Systems, Velocity Systems and Mayflower Research & Consulting, LLC have recently combined forces. More specifically, Velocity Systems has acquired a minority share in Mayflower R&C, LLC, after OEM'ing Mayflower products for the last several years.
Velocity Systems has a proprietary and patented SwiftClip ® system, which all Velocity and Mayflower vests and plate carriers utilize, and which can be used to attach all of their "auxilliary systems".
While Soldier Systems is pretty gung-ho on the "cutting-edge" Warfighter-compatible and scalable designs this synergistic Velocity/Mayflower merger has created, DefenseReview is obviously forced to take a more skeptical stance on it, since we have no experience whatsoever with Velocity Systems or Mayflower Research & Consulting products, ourselves, nor have any of our U.S. military SOF (Special Operations Forcs) contributors/writers or contacts provided any feedback on them. We're actually hoping to change this in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, we're of course keeping an open mind on it, but our current measuring sticks in the tactical armor plate carriers/tactical vests (body armor) and tactical gear arenas are Crye Precision and Hardpoint Equipment products, and those two companies' products are frankly going to be tough to beat for tactical operations effectiveness and soldier/warfighter comfort. So, consider us like Missourians on this one; "show me".
And, let's not forget about Archangel Load Bearing Armor, which utilizes a proprietary/patented, innovative load-bearing body armor carriage system–another very interesting player in the game.
Velocity Systems Phalanx VS-PBZ Ballistic Rifle Plate Specs (from the Vecity Systems website:
"Model Number: VS-PBZ
Threat Level: 7.62 x 39 Armor Piercing Incendiary (API – BZ), Multi-hit 7.62 x 39 Ball, Mild Steel Core, Multi-hit 7.62 x 51 NATO M80 Ball, Multi-hit 5.56 x 45 M855, Multi-hit 5.56 x 45 M193, Multi-hit 5.45 x 39 AK-74, Multi-hit
Type: In-conjunction with soft armor model VS-13A Composition: Ceramic Shape: SAPI Thinness (Thickness): .50 inches
Size & Weight: 8.75”W x 11.75”L 3.5 lbs. 9.50”W x 12.50”L 4.0 lbs. 10.25”W x 13.25”L 4.7 lbs. 11.00”W x 14.00”L 5.4 lbs."
Velocity Systems Phalanx VS-PBZ Ballistic Rifle Plate (Hard Armor Plate) Data Sheet (PDF Format)
Mayflower R&C Assault Plate Carrier (APC) Review by ITS Tactical:
Photo(s) Credit: Velocity Systems and Mayflower Research & Consulting, LLC
Company Contact Info:
Velocity Systems 45064 Underwood Lane, Unit B Dulles, Va 20166 Phone: 703-707-6280 Fax: 703-435-1131 Email Contact Page: http://www.velsyst.com/contact-us.php Website: http://www.velsyst.com
Mayflower Research & Consulting LLC. FAX: (703) 435-1131 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.mayflower-rc.org
Personal Protective Systems (P2 Systems) 315 W Dalton Ave. #123 Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815 Phone: 208-4571-2010 Fax: 509-463-5578 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.p2sys.com
Crye Precision LLC (Fedex and UPS Shipping Address) Brooklyn Navy Yard 63 Flushing Ave. Building 3, Suite 807 Brooklyn, NY 11205 Phone: 718.246.3838 Fax: 718.246.3833 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.cryeprecision.com/
Archangel Armor 455 Ramsey Street, Suite 214 Fayetteville, NC 28301 Phone: 910.307.3034 Fax: 910.307.3096 Email Sales: [email protected] Email Info: [email protected] Website 1: http://www.archangelarmor.net/ Website 2: http://www.archangelarmor.com
Crye Precision LLC (USPS Shipping Address) Brooklyn Navy Yard 63 Flushing Ave., Unit 252 Brooklyn, NY 11205
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