Does the IIIA NIJ level of the USA correspond to the 1st class to the DSTU of Ukraine.
The protection level IIIA under the NIJ standard (USA) does not correspond to the 1st protection class under DSTU 8782 (Ukraine). Their comparison is not entirely accurate due to differences in bullet design, velocities, and test result requirements.
• NIJ IIIA provides protection against:
- Handgun rounds of .357 SIG caliber with an energy corresponding to a velocity of 436 m/s.
- Rounds of .44 Magnum caliber with a velocity of 448 m/s.
• 1st class under DSTU 8782 provides protection against:
- Handgun rounds of 9×18 mm caliber with lower energy (velocity up to 335 m/s).
- Rounds of 9×19 mm caliber (9 mm Luger, 9mm Parabellum) with a velocity of 410 m/s.
Additionally, the standards differ in allowable backface deformation:
- NIJ IIIA allows a maximum backface deformation of 44 mm.
- DSTU 1st class limits backface deformation to 25 mm (or 35 mm for covert body armor).
Thus, NIJ IIIA provides a higher level of protection against penetration compared to the 1st class under DSTU, but DSTU has stricter requirements for allowable trauma.
From laboratory testing experience, soft ballistic panels certified under the NIJ IIIA standard almost always failed to meet the 1st level protection requirements according to DSTU 8782.
It is also important to note that the situation with ballistic helmets is different, as backface deformation is not tested in Ukraine according to the DSTU 8835 standard.
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