CAT/DBT RVA3A Level IIIa Soft Body Armor

[DocGKR]

We recently tested the CAT/DBT RVA3A Level IIIa soft body armor made of Kelvar XLT backed by Kevlar XP for a LE agency. This agency requires their soft body armor to meet the FBI Body Armor Protocol. In addition, they have a specific test requirement using various duty rounds. The CAT/DBT RVA3A duty round test was conducted on Friday 15 May 2009.

Front panel was shot with the following:

9 mm 147 gr Fed HST--3 rounds in a 3" circle from 10 feet
.40 S&W 180 gr Fed HST--3 rounds in a 3" circle from 10 feet
.45 ACP 230 gr +P Fed HST--3 rounds in a 3" circle from 10 feet

9 mm 127 gr +P+ Win RA9TA--1 round contact shot
.44 Mag 240 gr Win Partition--1 round contact shot

Photo of front panel after test shots noted below:



Back panel was shot with the following:

9 mm 147 gr Win RA9T--3 rounds in a 3" circle from 10 feet
.40 S&W 180 gr Win RA40T--3 rounds in a 3" circle from 10 feet
.45 ACP 230 gr +P Win RA45TP--3 rounds in a 3" circle from 10 feet

9mm 147 gr Fed HST--multiple shots in 3" circle from 10 feet until vest penetration occurs (vest failed on shot #36)

The CAT/DBT RVA3A soft armor passed all test protocols.

Interestingly, the CAT/DBT QVA3A armor previously tested and approved by the LE agency was the best soft armor we have tested prior to this RVA3A test; during the shoot to failure test, the QVA3A failed on shot #33 with a full frank penetration, while the new RVA3A lasted until shot #36--in addition, the last shot was still entangled within the fibers of the vest on the RVA3A vest, as noted in the photo below:



I believe the CAT/DBT RVA3A vest to be the best soft armor we have ever tested. Congratulations to DBT on such a fine product! It will greatly enhance the safety of LE officers.

[Leatherneck556]

Doc, I understand that the protective qualities are superior to any other armor that you've tested, but are there any other advantages, such as in weight savings?

[PlatoCATM]

I found this article on Imminent Threat Solutions while scouring for more info on this vest:
http://www.itstactical.com/2009/04/08/soft-body-armor/

Remember, armor that passes the FBI Body Armor Test Protocol and 100% woven p-aramid vests may be a bit thicker, but they offer substantially more protection than many other vests on the market. Officer’s need to know that lighter, thinner, more expensive vests are NOT necessarily offering better protection. In addition, 100% woven p-aramid armor has demonstrated very long service lives.

It sounds like it is worth the extra cost especially if you need the capabilities of resisting contact shots, i.e. for LE duties.

I hope this was alright to hotlink, Doc, as you are the main reference for the testing.

[DocGKR]

Leatherneck556: What is the difference in weight between various soft body armor packages? Do you think saving a few ounces is really going to make that much difference? Most folks could save dozens of ounces, if not pounds, looking at other aspects of their gear, as well as body mass...

PlatoCATM: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19912

[DocHolliday01]

Doc, Sorry if I missed it but do you have a link to This vest on DBT's website? I looked around and put the model number in the search engine on their site and couldn't find anything. Thanks for your help.

[DocGKR]

It is a brand new model, it is NOT on the DBT website yet...like Eagle and others, a lot of their cool stuff in not online...

[DocHolliday01]

It is a brand new model, it is NOT on the DBT website yet...like Eagle and others, a lot of their cool stuff in not online...

Ok thanks for the reply, at least now I know I'm not blind. Do you know what pricing is/will be for it?

[DocGKR]

I know what they cost when you purchase a few thousand of them at a time, but have no clue the price when purchasing in smaller quantities...generally DBT's prices are quite fair and competitive.

[Leatherneck556]

Doc, I hear you on what you're saying about the weight. I've never believed in sacrificing a needed capability for a few ounces. I suppose that I didn't phrase my original query well; I was really wondering how the RVA3A compared to the QVA3A specifically. Are there any other differences besides the increased level of protection?

[DocGKR]

Roughly the same weight, but the RVA feels thinner and more comfortable to wear--so much so that I have ordered one for myself!