Ballistic Test Laboratory

Ballistic testing is a standards-based process applied to determine whether products meet protection, safety and performance criteria. Most ballistics testing is done to assist law enforcement and military applications as well as commercial research and development programs. Ballistics is the science of studying bullets and firearms. Almost any product can be tested for ballistic resistance. The most common applications for these tests are:

• Personal protective equipment: Bulletproof vests and other equipment worn by law enforcement and military personnel.
• Vehicle and structural armor: Bulletproof vehicles and glass both require adequate ballistic testing.
• Firearms and ammunition: Both need to be tested before use to ensure they are safe.

A number of different ballistics tests are performed in advanced laboratories. Most tests are done in state-of-the-art indoor test chambers that are climate controlled to reduce the number of variables present during testing. The measuring equipment used during these tests is designed to keep track of all kinds of variables. The following equipment is generally used for a particular ballistics test: laser scanners, spot probes, Doppler radar, high-speed cameras and velocity measuring equipment.

Equipment tested for use in law enforcement or military applications will need to pass certification tests with both the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Center for Applied Science and Technology (CAST). The National Institute of Justice is involved in the development, testing and certification of both ballistic resistant and puncture resistant body armor in the United States. Applied Science and Technology Center continues the same activities for applications in England.

Use of any equipment by police or military personnel must meet either NIJ or CAST standards, depending on where it is manufactured and used.

The ballistic tests applied vary considerably from one test to the next, depending on the needs of the contract. The main tests applied are:

• Low speed and fragmentation tests
• Small and medium caliber threats
• Pointed and sharp-edged weapon threats for puncture resistant vests
• Non-lethal threats
• Burst test (mines, etc.)

Our organization also provides ballistic test laboratory services with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors.