The difference between NIJ standard 0101.04 vs 0101.06

Aug 10, 2024

NIJ standard 0101.06 is the newest bulletproof vest standard that sets minimum resistance requirements as well as test methods to be followed for bullet proof vests and ballistic plates. It was proposed jointly by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES), the affiliate of National Institute of Standards and Technology. The standard is only for bullet proof vests and ballistic plates, and does not deal with edged blades or other pointed instruments.

NIJ standard 0101.06 was proposed in 2008 and has already replaced the following standards NIJ standard 0101.04 (2001) and NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements (2005).

NIJ Standard 0101.06 gives stricter requirements, which are shown as increased resistance against today's threats, greater demands for ballistic test of the bullet proof vests, and better durability of the body armor.

Areas on which NIJ 0101.06 is different than the previous bulletproof standards will be reviewed in the following text:

1. Velocity of bullets has changed

	NIJ standard 0101.04 (interim 2005)	NIJ Standard 0101.06
NIJ IIA (9mm / 40 S & W)	1120 fps / 1055 fps	1224 fps / 1155fps
NIJ II – 9 mm / .357 Magnum	1205 fps	1306 fps
NIJ IIIA .44 mag / .357 SIG	9 mm eliminated	1470 fps (.357 SIG FMJ FN)

2. The placement of the bullets has changed

	NIJ standard 0101.04 (interim 2005)	NIJ Standard 0101.06
"shot to edge"	3 inches (7.62 cm)	2 inches (5.02 cm)
The placement of the bullets	Spread on the insert	The 3th,4th and 6th shot needs to be placed within a circle of 3.94 inches (10.01 cm). 3 shots near the edge and 3 shots close by each other.

3. Size and number of inserts and shot number.

	NIJ standard 101.04 (interim 2005)	NIJ Standard 0101.06
Number of inserts to be tested	6 inserts	28 inserts
Total number of shots	48 shots / 24 for each caliber	144 shots / 72 for each caliber
Back face deformation requirements	2 measured above 44 mm	3 measured above 44 mm and all other below 44 mm
Hard armor NIJ III	3 test plates with 6 shots each	9 test plates with 6 shots each panel
Hard armor NIJ IV	8 test plates with 1 shot each panel	7-37 test plates with 1-6 each panel

NIJ0101.06 is a more scientific standard, compared with NIJ 0101.04, but in some places, NIJ 0101.04 is still in use to reduce the cost.

The above is all the clarification for the differences between NIJ Standard 0101.06 and 0101.04. If there are still some puzzles, welcome to contact us.