Just as a FYI. . . in addition to the VERY expensive NIJ testing. B.I. has procured the same lab that performed the NIJ Certification [Oregon Labs]to do several independent [ballistic] tests on each new generation of Body Armor that has been developed since the NIJ Certification.
This was part of the discussions I had on my visits to Drexel.
There has also been field tests of the plasma spray which provided information on the extreme high wear capability of that process. The results determined that while it provided excellent protection for farm implement and construction equipment, the cost savings were marginal. That data may prove useful in other areas however.