The AR500 C3 Multi-Curve, Multi-Hit Ceramic Plate is made to handle the warzone. Places where the ability to stop threats like .30 caliber armor-piercing bullets is a must.
AR500 tested this plate to stop M2 AP rounds at a velocity of 2,880 ft/s. It succeeds. In fact, whereas such a threat would punch through most plates, and some Level IV ceramic plates would likely collapse after one hit, this plate has been tested to successfully stop as many as three successive M2 AP rounds.*
Ceramic plates stop rounds in a unique fashion: because of the hardness of ceramic, the energy of incoming bullets breaks the point of impact to absorb the energy more completely. The downside of this method is that the shattering hurts the plate's ability to stop following rounds. As with the C2 Multi-Hit Plate, the improved C3 shatters in a smaller area, leaving the rest of the plate strong enough to stop more hits.
The C3 is compatible with all standard-size carriers; it is a normal 10" x 12" plate size and is 1" thick. It weighs 7.1 pounds - lighter than the C2 Multi-Hit due to the lighter Cordura cover.
Finally, this level 4 armor plate will also feel lighter because of its ergonomic shape. It curves on the x and y axes so as to fit closely to the torso and distribute the weight more evenly.
*Multi-hit, as an industry term, meaning anything more than a single hit for a Level IV test. For a Level III test, it generally means six hits. AR500 is confident the C3 Multi-Hit plate can stop three rounds of Level IV threats with an adequate spacing of 5-6" between shots.Material: Ceramic with Nylon Wrap.
Protection: .30 caliber armor-piercing (AP) bullets (U.S. Military designation M2 AP) with a specified mass of 10.8g (166gr) and a velocity of 2,880 ft/s (+/- 30 ft/s).
Special Threat Testing:- Multi-Hit, .30-06 cal, 166-grain APM2, 2,880 ± 30 ft/s
- Multi-Hit, 7.62 x 54R-mm, 155-grain B-32 API, 2,880 ± 30 ft/s
- Multi-Hit, 7.62 x 39-mm, 123-grain PS Ball 2,400 ± 30 ft/s
Capability: Multi-hit protection
Form: Curved
Dimensions & Compatibility:- 10" x 12"
- Weight: 7.1 lbs
- Thickness: 1"
- Plate Carriers: Testudo, Valkyrie & Invictus
Shelf life: 10 years
Manufactured: United States