Standardization in testing ballistic protection systems

Abstract

Even more than in other field of activities, standardization in ballistic protection is in trends of CEN/CENELEC declaration that “standards build trust”, promoting innovation and introduction of new, performant solutions based on test procedures and protocols that are able to point out quality and safety for such systems. Ballistic testing standards have particular specifications for ballistic materials, differentiation of tests being made especially on the purpose of the ballistic protection product. In the last decades, test methods have been refined and measurement devices have become more complex. The main set of standards is developed by military organizations (as NATO), highly industrialized countries, where the military and research in the field are priorities (USA, European Community, Asian countries, South Africa). Some states refer to American standards by using them as guides. Depending on the destination of the ballistic product, specifications in standards are different. The authors give examples of how standards requirements are implemented in testing ballistic protection systems, in order to point out the particularities of introducing and verifying new and classical products in this domain. Generally, the results of the ballistic tests are evaluated by acceptance or rejecting the tested product, based on specific criteria, included in standards.