NIJ 4 / VPAM 10 flexible ballistic plate

FI/RA Ballistic Plates – High-Performance Protection

NIJ 4 PRO ON PRE-ORDER - DELIVERABLE IN 1 MONTH.
Ballistic plates are sold individually (side-plates in pairs).

Technical Specifications

Advantages

Patented technology: Ceramic encapsulated in a polymer + ultra-resistant composite

Ultra-flexible: Conforms to body contours and follows your movements for optimal comfort

Optimized lightness: Design reduces the sensation of weight

Multi-impact protection: Resistance to armor-piercing ammunition, compliant with military standards

Robustness and durability: Waterproof, shock-resistant and resistant to daily wear and tear

Total adaptability: Compatible with all 25x30 cm SAPI plate carriers

Trauma reduction: Backface deformation limited to 35 mm (25 mm for armor-piercing ammunition)

Made in France 🇫🇷 – 5-year warranty.

To learn more about flexible plates, click here

The advantages of NIJ IV

The NIJ IV level represents the pinnacle of individual ballistic protection according to the American NIJ 0101.06 standard. It is currently the only level officially designed to stop armor-piercing ammunition such as the formidable 7.62x63mm AP M2 (.30-06 Armor Piercing), a military projectile with a steel core capable of penetrating most conventional bulletproof vests.

This level of protection is widely used by military personnel in external operations, special units, or operators working in urban warfare zones or contexts where the use of armor-piercing warfare weapons is proven.
It is also relevant for VIP close protection professionals, who may be exposed to threats such as sniper rifles, military carbines, or modified hunting rifles.

Available sizes:

• SAPI 25x30 cm
  
• Swimmer-Cut 25x30 cm
• Side-plates 15x15 cm

Ballistic Tests – FI/RA FLEX NIJ 4 / VPAM 10

All our plates are tested according to NIJ standards in a ballistic laboratory. These tests guarantee their reliability and effectiveness, in accordance with the strict criteria of the American National Institute of Justice. Your protection is our priority.

Composition and Resistance

Advanced materials:
Para-Aramid (Dupont®)
Silicon carbide ceramic (SiC)
Ultra-resistant polyamide casing

Threats stopped: 

• 30-06 APM2 (885 m/s)
• 7.62x54 R API B32 (Dragunov SVD)
• 7.62x39 MSC (AK-47)
  
• 5.56x45 M855 (SS109)
  
• 9mm, .357 Mag, .44 Mag, 22LR

Compatibility and Maintenance

Compatible with all Pangolin® vests and most Western plate carriers.
Cleaning:

• Ballistic packs: clean covers with a damp sponge or cloth.
• Avoid detergents to prevent altering protection.
• Air dry, by draining.

Pre-order possible in case of stockout – Delivery within 2 weeks.

NIJ (National Institute of Justice)
The most widely used American standard for certifying ballistic protection. Defines levels (II, IIIA, III, IV) according to the calibers and ammunition tested.

ICW (In Conjunction With)
Plate designed to be used with soft armor (NIJ 3A) to achieve its advertised level of protection.

Stand Alone (SA)
Self-contained plate that does not require a flexible insert behind it. Thicker and heavier than an ICW, but more practical.

SAPI (Small Arms Protective Insert)
NATO standard format for ballistic plates (≈ 25 × 30 cm). Serves as a reference for plate carrier compatibility.

Swimmer-Cut / Shooter-Cut
Specific plate cutouts to improve arm and shoulder mobility (shooting, swimming, close combat).

Backface deformation (BFD) / Trauma
The amount of deformation of a plate on impact, measured in mm. The lower it is, the less blunt force the wearer experiences.

Multi-hit / Multi-impact
A plate's ability to withstand multiple close-quarters shots without loss of performance.

UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene)
Ultra-light synthetic ballistic fiber (e.g. Dyneema®). Very strong and used for rigid or flexible plates.

Alumina
Ceramic commonly used in plates to break and slow projectiles. Less expensive but heavier than boron carbide.

Boron carbide
High-end ceramic, lighter and more resistant, used for high-level plates (NIJ IV).

MSC (Mild Steel Core)
Ammunition with a mild steel core, typical of the 7.62×39 AK-47.

NIJ 3++ SS109

Our NIJ 3++ plates stop:

• 5.56×45 SS109 / M855 — Partial steel core bullet, common on AR-15/M4 platforms.
  
• 5.56×45 M855A1 — more energetic variant of the M855, reinforced core.
  
• 7.62×39 (MSC) — standard AK-47 cartridge, often with a mild steel core.
  
• 7.62×51 M80 NATO — standard high-power NATO rifle bullet.
  

These rounds are light to medium rifle threats; our 3++ plates offer enhanced protection while remaining mobile.

NIJ 3++ API BZ

Our API BZ plates stop:

• 5.56 armor-piercing (API BZ) — bullets designed to pierce light armor thanks to a hard core.
  
• 7.62 piercing (API BZ) — piercing versions intended to penetrate standard protections.
  

Profile designed for hard-core projectiles (armor-piercing); protection focused on neutralizing armor-piercing munitions.

NIJ 4

Our NIJ 4 plates stop:

• .30-06 M2 AP — NIJ reference armor-piercing ammunition (high energy, hard core).
  
• 7.62×51 armor-piercing — high-penetration NATO caliber AP variants.
  
• 7.62×39 armor-piercing — armor-piercing versions of the AK caliber, with high penetration capacity.
  

NIJ Maximum Level: Designed to stop large caliber armor-piercing projectiles and provide the highest resistance.