I saw the new SKD Armor 10×12 Carbine Plate (Multi-Hit) in their newsletter and wanted to share it. Developed in conjunction with TenCate Advanced Armor USA this plate stops up to 7.62x39mm API-BZ.
Weighing in at a mere 4.2 lbs and measuring just .55″ thick, this Ceramic plate has been tested to stop the following threats:
3 Rounds / 5.56x45mm M193
3 Rounds / 5.56x45mm M855
3 Rounds / 7.62x39mm PS FMJ (Mild Steel)
3 Rounds / 7.62x39mm API-BZ (Armor Piercing Incendiary)
www.skdtac.com/SKD-Armor-10-X-12-Carbine-Plate-Multi-Hit-p
Tags: SKD Tactical
Just curious what about 7.62×54?
What, seriously? It literally states in the picture and in the text what it is has been tested for. That being said, it only has been tested, not certified.
You have to remember that the NIJ does not have a spec for and does not certify plates for the threats this plate was designed for. Independent testing to show performance is the best you can do.
NIJ does do special threat testing. You specify the exact rounds and velocities for the test.
I can assure you the NIJ does not certify to other threats. The term “special threat tested” is something manufacturers use to detail threats not covered by the NIJ spec (NIJ 0101.06). Manufacturers typically send their plates to an NIJ certified lab to do the test, but the NIJ does not certify the performance. There will be a revision later this year that will add more threats, but it is not yet available.
You’re right, there is no NIJ threat level category specifically for intermediate caliber cartridges. However, SKD says it was internal testing. I’m not bashing the product, just reading what is on the product’s web page.
To be clear, the testing was conducted by the manufacturer, and not SKD.
Its name is literally The Carbine Plate.
That raises an interesting question: What velocity were those rounds tested at? M193 from a 20″ barrel ain’t quite the same thing as M193 from a carbine’s 14.5″ barrel.
That aside, they should offer it in a SAPI or Shooter’s Cut. The Swimmer’s cut they’re selling is definitely sub-optimal for most purposes, especially on bigger guys. I understand that they want a 4.2lb plate for marketing purposes, but… well…
Isn’t “shooters cut” and “swimmers” the same thing? SAPI is the rectangular POS that restricts arm/shoulder movement forward.
“Swimmer’s” cut has a much steeper angle on the sides than “Shooter’s” cut, that is the only real difference.
Thanks!
Good question, because I have heard that M193 out of 20″ have gone through AR500 steel plates, but stop M855.
An affordable, ceramic, multi hit plate, and it’s in a swimmers cut? Hot damn. What a time to be alive.
How about that affordable gen 3 night vision, next? Let’s go, capitalism.
hahaha…. I agree… been spending money at skd for awhile, haven’t seen a product on their site yet that wasn’t a well thought out item..