Cheap but effective UHMWPE Armor could make 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm Rounds less effective

Screenshot of a cheap UHMWPE Armor stopping a 7.62 mm cal. round

I have been doing some research on Body Armor, and it seems that we have reached that level of Body Armor Technology where existing 5.56 x 45 mm and 7.62 x 51 mm caliber Rifle Ammunition may not necessarily become obsolete, but will be less effective. 

This is because of the advent of cheap but effective Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Armor. This type of Armor is very light and will defeat not just one but multiple hits from 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm rounds. 

There are a number of Companies in various Countries around the World that are manufacturing these right now, like in China. And they are pretty impressive, an Armor Plate that is able to stop .30-06 cal. Ball Ammunition weighs only 2.7 kg and costs around Usd 100-150.

The Manufacturers are marketing these as “NIJ Level IV” Armor, but I am not so sure about that based on the Test Results on Youtube like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OQw6T48inc. It can stop .30-06 Ball Ammunition, but I think the jury is still out if it can really stop .30-06 Armor Piercing Ammo. 

Still, I think the these Plates are at least NIJ Level III, and seems to be able to stop multiple shots from common 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm cal. Ball Ammunition, which I think is impressive enough given its Price and Weight. 

If the Manufacturers can make these for the Civilian Market though, just imagine what their Military Grade Armor can do. 

‘Limitations’

Right now, those being sold only as Hard Armor, suitable for only for Helmets and Plates. The NIJ Level IV(?) Plate itself is only limited as a Torso Plate since it is too thick even for Helmets at 22 mm thick. So this limits the parts of the Body that can be covered and still be comfortably worn. 

As Plates and Helmets, other areas of the Body can still be hit and be vulnerable, like the Neck, Collar Area, Shoulders, Face, Groin, Thighs, etc. 

But I think it will still make existing Rifle rounds less effective overall since vital areas in the Torso can now be protected, causing less Deaths. No wonder the United States (US) is moving towards better Ammunition now.

SOURCES: 
* How Does Plastic Body Armor Work? {Archived Link}
* Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor NIJ Standard-0101.06 {Archived Link}

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