BALLISTIC & stab TESTING
Introduction
Effective ballistic protection begins with rigorous testing. At Craig International Ballistics, testing is integrated throughout our research, development and manufacturing process, allowing new concepts to be rapidly evaluated, refined and validated before formal certification testing.
With more than 26 years of experience developing ballistic protection systems for military, law enforcement and specialist commercial applications, our engineering team understands that successful armour design relies on continual testing, analysis and improvement. Every material, design and manufacturing process is assessed to optimise protection, weight, durability and long-term performance.
Our In-House Testing Capability
Our Queensland manufacturing facility incorporates dedicated ballistic research and development facilities, allowing rapid evaluation of new armour systems and materials. By conducting in-house testing during product development, design iterations can be completed significantly faster before independent certification.
Our in-house capabilities include ballistic testing, stab and spike resistance testing, multi-hit evaluation, trauma analysis and extensive material characterisation. This capability allows our engineers to quickly compare different fibre systems, ceramics, composite constructions and manufacturing methods while maintaining complete confidentiality throughout the development process.
Research Driven Engineering
Unlike many armour manufacturers, Craig International Ballistics maintains a highly vertically integrated manufacturing operation. Research, engineering, tooling, manufacture and testing are performed within the same facility, allowing new concepts to progress rapidly from computer modelling through to prototype manufacture and live testing.
Our advanced manufacturing capability includes:
- Ultra-high pressure composite pressing
- CNC waterjet cutting
- Robotic X-ray inspection for NDT on ceramics
- Robotic polyurea coating systems
- High-pressure autoclave processing
- CAD/CAM engineering using SolidWorks
- In-house ballistic and stab testing laboratories
Independant Certification
The NIJ has produced standards for both ballistic and stab applications. These standards not only give gradings for the various threat levels that armour is designed to defeat, but they also set out the test regimes that are to be used.
The NIJ and STANAG Standards for ballistic armour and stab testing is shown below.
- NIJ Standard 0101.06 – Ballistic Protection for Body Armor
- NIJ Standard 0101.07 – Ballistic Protection for Body Armor
- NIJ Standard 0115.00 – Stab Protection for Body Armor
- NIJ Standard 0108.01 – Bullet Resistant Armour Panels
- STANAG 4569 – Protection Levels of Light Armoured Vehicles
AGILE. INNOVATIVE. PROVEN.
Delivering advanced ballistic protection solutions
for defence, law enforcement and industry worldwide.