03/15Personal protection
UHMWPE Hard Plate
A light answer to the rifle threat: monolithic UHMWPE. NIJ III, stand-alone, 1.5–1.9 kg, and it floats.
- Protection level
- NIJ III
- Weight (SAPI)
- 1.5–1.9 kg
- Test threat
- 7.62×51 NATO M80
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01 — Overview
A closer look
A UHMWPE hard plate is built from many thin polyethylene fiber plies, cross-laid at 0°/90° and pressed under heat and pressure into one monolithic body. When a bullet enters, the fibers stretch, the energy travels along them and is absorbed between the layers. The plate is rated stand-alone to NIJ III against the 7.62×51 NATO M80 test round. Stand-alone means the plate needs no soft panel behind it to reach that level; it can be worn in a vest or on its own in a plate carrier.
At 1.5–1.9 kg in SAPI cut, the plate suits long foot movements and missions that demand speed. Polyethylene is lighter than water, so the plate floats, a decisive advantage in naval operations. The monolithic build is multi-hit capable. Know its limits too: protection against armor-piercing rounds is limited, and performance drops if the plate is stored above 70 °C for long periods. Never leave plates in a closed vehicle or a sun-baked trunk in summer.
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NIJ III · Stand-Alone
Rated against the 7.62×51 NATO M80 test round, with no extra panel.
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1.5–1.9 kg (SAPI)
Low weight that puts mobility first.
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Floats
Polyethylene is lighter than water; suited to naval operations.
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Multi-hit
The monolithic build is multi-hit capable.
Applications
For military units and special-mission teams where weight and mobility come first, including naval and air operations.
- Military units
- Special missions
KG DefenseProduct data sheet
UHMWPE Hard Plate
Updated 2026-10
02 — Data sheet
Technical specifications
A detailed data sheet is available on request.
Ordering & customization
Supplied to institutional buyers. Protection level, size, color and cut are configured to your requirement; samples and test reports are available on request.
| Protection level | NIJ Level III, stand-alone |
|---|---|
| Test threat | 7.62×51 NATO M80 |
| Weight (SAPI) | 1.5–1.9 kg |
| Multi-hit | Yes |
| Buoyancy | Floats (naval operations) |
Related standards
- NIJ 0101.06 Personal body armor: vests, plates, helmets
03 — Protection context
Where it sits on the threat scale
The five levels of NIJ 0101.06. The gold column is the level stated in this product’s data sheet; column height shows the energy of the test round.
- Energy: 557 J Level IIA 9mm FMJ RN Covert patrol
- Energy: 969 J Level II .357 Magnum JSP Law enforcement
- Energy: 1,482 J Level IIIA .44 Magnum SJHP Soft armor, helmets
- Energy: 3,444 J Level III — This product 7.62×51 NATO M80 Hard plate (stand-alone)
- Energy: 4,151 J Level IV .30-06 M2 AP Ceramic + PE hybrid plate
Gold mark: protection level stated in the KG product data sheet
04 — Personal protection
Related products
UHMWPE Hard PlateNIJ III · STAND-ALONE
