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Rifle Armor Warranty
7th November 2017 BY
IN Knowledge, Testing and Compliance

DO YOU KNOW THE VALUE OF YOUR RIFLE ARMOR WARRANTY?

We have all had experiences with products which didn’t live up to the hype. Computers, televisions, cars, washing machines, tools, all sorts of things. The first thing we do is go to the kitchen drawer stuffed full of manuals and warranties to find out whether or not we are still protected. Much of the time we find out that the product was already out of warranty.

Rifle armor, well that’s a different story. If rifle armor fails, catastrophe ensues.

SO WHY TALK ABOUT IT AT ALL?

Well, that’s simple. Our warranties are not just about getting you your money back. Our warranties are about making sure you never need your money back. Our NIJ 0101.06 compliant rifle armor is designed, manufactured and tested according to the highest industry standards. More importantly, our products are designed, manufactured and re-tested time and time again at and above published standards. HighCom is one of the only companies offering a full ten-year warranty on rifle armor. Nobody else is offering such a warranty because it is truly difficult to create and produce a product which a company feels confident enough in the processes and materials that they will continue protecting you beyond the industry five years. Our warranty is not designed to assure that you can get your money back ten years from now. It is designed to tell you that we trust our products so much that we can make such a promise. More importantly, the purpose of our warranty is to give our customers the confidence to know that using them, if – Heaven forbid – you should come under fire, you will go home.

In other industries, manufacturers talk about “Lifetime Warranties.” Our Ten-Year Warranties are REAL “Lifetime Warranties.” They are about the lifetimes of those wearing our NIJ compliant rifle armor. It is there to tell you that our users’ lifetimes matter to us above all else, that your family deserves the best real guarantee you can get.

GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE

Another important part for us is the DEA Hard Armor Protocol. DEA compliance is as important in defining the protection offered by our products as our warranties are. While the standards of the National Institutes of Justice are rigorous in their objective levels defining thickness and the ability to stop projectiles of various increasing calibers as well as non-projectile attacks, the DEA testing protocol takes this to another level with additional real-world threats and multi-hit testing in edge and close proximity to provide that additional layer of guarantee in performance of a product’s capabilities. This is one more step we take to ensure you will remain safe at the end of each and every shift. Objectivity is good. Concern for an operator and focus on saving lives above all else is better.

That is why HighCom adheres to both sets of standards; we don’t just meet those standards. Life is not graded on a “Pass-Fail” basis. We seek to excel and we never fail to do so. HighCom regularly exceeds industry standards and those of other law enforcement agencies such as the FBI.

At the same time, quality management systems guarantee the highest possible levels of excellence in both our processes and our products. We adhere to the NIJ’s BA9000 quality standards, which are re-evaluated every four years, requiring manufacturers to continually maintain their best performance. In fact, HighCom became the first company in the world to achieve BA 9000 certification, NIJ’s rifle armor quality management standard. By extension, BA9000 certified manufacturers need to be ISO 9001 compliant – and then some.  To that end, HighCom has been ISO 9001:2008 certified since 2006. As with all outside standards to which we adhere, HighCom does not simply meet BA 9000 and ISO 9001 compliance, we go the extra mile to exceed those standards in every way we can. Our own ambitions for quality go above and beyond those demanded of us by certifying bodies.

To ensure that our products do exceed industry standards, our R&D Division is constantly exploring and deploying technologically advanced innovative materials and approaches for offering greater protection to our users. To be certain that the solutions we choose to implement endow our products with the best possible protective characteristics, our in-house ballistic lab is continuously testing our armor against a wide variety of threats. We can – and do – test our armor against a wide range of rounds, from .22 caliber up to .50 caliber. Each and every product is proven 100% effective for the threats against which it is rated. We test all of our products, including our soft rifle armor, helmets, shields, rifle armor inserts and tactical armor systems.

Our customers include some of the best-known military, law enforcement and security organizations in the Global Community. These are agencies and enterprises which face danger on a daily basis. Their concern for the safety of their personnel is second to none. They entrust the lives of their people to HighCom. These are organizations who are far less concerned with a refund in the case of failure than they are with making sure there are no failures. Our unparalleled Ten-Year Warranty is an irrefutable sign that we know just how good our products are; and that we are more than ready to put our money and reputation on the line to demonstrate our full confidence behind each and every one of them.

Earlier this year, HighCom celebrated two decades of supplying top quality personal protective equipment to customers all over the world. The fact that a company with a 10-year warranty has achieved the milestone of 20 years in business truly says something. Our products are just that dependable. Your life is just that safe.

Rifle Armor Vest Kits for Police
31st October 2017 BY
IN Product Reviews, Who We Protect

3 WAYS HIGHCOM IS WORKING TO SERVE LEOS

Policing in America has evolved dramatically in the last 20 years – and so have the threats faced by law enforcement officers. It’s important that LEOs and other first responders have the right equipment, in particular body armor, to protect them on the job.

In recognition of the growing risk LEOs face from rifle threats, HighCom developed the Rifle Armor Kit, or RAK, to provide a customizable armor solution in an easy-to-understand package.

Most patrol officers wear soft armor with an NIJ rating of Level IIIA or lower to defend against handgun rounds up to 9mm, .357 and 44 mag – but these vests don’t protect against the growing threat of high-velocity rifle ammunition.

The first step when purchasing body armor is to determine your threat level and look for armor that meets NIJ certification for the level of protection you need – but with all the options now available, choosing the right armor to fit your needs can be daunting.

Through its distribution network, American manufacturer HighCom Armor works with its customers before, during and after an armor purchase to make sure it’s the right product for their needs and adheres to strict quality standards to provide certified ballistic protection products that stand up to the rigors of daily wear.

THE RIFLE ARMOR KIT: A ONE-STOP SHOP

HighCom began offering its armor components in packaged kits in 2012. In recognition of the growing risk from rifle threats, the company developed the Rifle Armor Kit, or RAK, program in 2016 to expand the concept of an active shooter kit to a variety of situations and to provide a customizable armor solution in an easy-to-understand package.

“We have seen in recent years a disturbing increase in shootings against law enforcement officers. This increase in threats against LEOs is not a matter of abstract statistics. Our first responders need greater armor protection given the dangers they face daily,” said Mike Bundy, president and COO.  “The Rifle Armor Kit was born from the end user needing rifle protection in many different scenarios.”

Each RAK includes one carrier and two hard armor plates. The kit can be customized to your needs based on type of carrier, type of hard armor insert, carrier color and carrier cut.

Pricing starts at $357, and you can choose from five carrier vests and six hard armor inserts, including NIJ Level III and IV, plus a special rifle threat plate. Plates come in 10”x12” full and shooter’s cut, and the five vests each come in five colors. Pouches, carrier bags and other accessories are also available.

All the armor plates in HighCom’s RAK program that are NIJ 0101.06 certified come with a 10-year warranty. HighCom bases this industry-leading warranty on years of testing, both in house and in partnership with an NVLAP-accredited lab, using products deployed throughout the world over the past 20 years.

“This is a full 10-year replacement warranty, no ifs and or buts,” said HighCom CEO Michael Gordon. “Because we’re a 20-year-old company, we actually have shot plates that are over 10 years old and are perfectly fine. We’ve deployed over a million plates, and we’ve never had a failure, a penetration or a recall. We realize that men and women’s lives are on the line when product leaves our plant, so it has to be done right every time.”

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CERTIFICATION

All HighCom’s plates are made in the company’s manufacturing plant in Columbus, Ohio. The facility meets ISO 9001 quality control standards, and HighCom was the first armor manufacturer in the world to achieve BA 9000 certification, which is specific to armor manufacturing and adds an extra layer of quality control.

“Certainly for us, quality is No. 1,” said Bundy. “We’re delivering products in the marketplace that are designed to protect the lives of men and women serving our country.”

BA 9000 requires that HighCom must be able to trace the provenance of raw materials, conduct internal lab tests of those raw materials before production as well as testing the finished product, and compare results between in-house and independent testing to ensure quality. The company tests every lot of plates in its own lab for quality control, as well as sending them to a third-party NVLAP-accredited lab for NIJ certification.

“With ISO and BA certification, we maintain those standards consistently, day in and day out throughout our operation,” said Bundy, “so that when we’re producing thousands of parts and pieces within the armor system, we know that each and every one of them will perform above and beyond the standards each and every time.”

CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUPPORT

Bundy says customers often have a sense of what they need or an idea of the product they’re looking for, but can easily be overwhelmed by all the different options in the marketplace. HighCom’s customer service and support includes not only working through its large distribution network but directly with end users to discern their needs and help them make a smart purchase.

HighCom also makes their products available online for individual purchases directly from the factory and posts prices on its website for transparency. Because HighCom is the manufacturer, they are able to offer their armor products at a lower cost, and the company keeps inventory in stock so orders can be filled quickly.

“We really are passionate about taking care of our law enforcement,” said Gordon. “When people need these kinds of products, you don’t want to say it’ll be 90 days.”

Additionally, because HighCom can trace each plate through its life cycle for ISO and BA requirements, the company can provide logistics support for departmental purchases, packaging and labeling each plate in a shipment for easy distribution to each individual officer.

“Anytime you’re buying a product, it’s nice to know where the buck stops,” said Bundy, “and it’s good to have that direct communication with the customer to understand what their needs are. We will do everything we can for our customer, and it’s reflected in the way we make our product, handle it, packing it for protection during delivery. We’re all about customer service.”

Article reposted with permission from PoliceOne

Hard Armor Options for Facing Today’s Higher Threat Levels
23rd September 2017 BY
IN Product Reviews, Testing and Compliance

HARD ARMOR OPTIONS FOR FACING TODAY’S HIGHER THREAT LEVELS

Do you know your armor plate protection choices when it comes to an active shooter incident or other operation that might involve rounds that soft armor isn’t rated to stop? HighCom Armor offers a full line of military and law enforcement grade Level III, and Level IV plates, and Special Threat.

The hard armor plates that fit inside front and back pockets in armor carriers offer protection against rifle rounds, and some protect against armor-piercing rounds. Armor plates are available in two different types that are recognized by the NIJ.

  • Level 3 plates are rated to stop rifle rounds.
  • Level 4 plates are rated to stop armor-piercing rounds.

The choice of whether to select type 3 or type 4 protection is partly based on what that plate will be made out of and the level of threat you’re subjected to.

Let’s consider three types of hard plates; Steel, Polyethylene, and Ceramic, all of which are available from HighCom Armor.

LET’S CONSIDER THREE TYPES OF HARD PLATES – STEEL, POLYETHYLENE, AND CERAMIC.

1. STEEL

Steel is a popular option that has been commercially used since World War II. When up against high powered ammunition, steel doesn’t disappoint. It stops many types of projectiles and rounds. Steel plates rely on their hardness to cause the impacting round to mushroom, fracture, and subsequently splatter upon impact.

Though steel is strong and offers a great deal of protection, steel plates can create spall, the fragments created from a bullet when it explodes upon impacting the hard steel plate. Spalling can result in secondary fragmentation injuries.

Steel, with a weight of 8 to 10 pounds, is also heavier than both polyethylene and ceramic plates. However, it is the least expensive of the three. HighCom manufactures Guardian AR500 and Guardian AR1000  the only NIJ 0101.06 certified steel plates that are DEA compliant! The AR1000 is also 20% lighter than competitive models on the market today, a 10″ x 12″ shooters cut weighs under 6 lbs.

We coat our steel plates with military-grade Rhino Extreme 11-50 anti-spall coating to dramatically reduce spall fragments from ballistic impact. Operators can choose the thickness of the anti-spall liner ranging from 20 to 80 mil. Additionally, the plate can be inserted in our Guardian Rifle Insert Spall Sleeve for added frag protection.

2. POLYETHYLENE

Polyethylene (also called PE) is a thermoplastic. Polyethylene armor is manufactured by bonding unidirectional UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) fibers over an HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) sheet. The sheets are cut to shape, placed in a mold, and compressed under high heat and pressure resulting in a cohesive hard armor plate.

Polyethylene plates take advantage of the friction caused by the spin of a bullet. This friction melts the polyethylene and in turn ‘sticks’ the bullet. Once stopped, the polyethylene cools down and re-hardens.

You can typically hit Polyethylene with as many bullets as you can fit on the plate because it doesn’t impact a very large surrounding area when the bullet hits. However, the quality of raw material and the process used for bonding will play a significant role in the back face deformation and the ability of the plate to withstand multiple rounds without delaminating.

Polyethylene plates weigh between 2 to 5 pounds, making them lighter than steel and up to 70% lighter than ceramic plates. The tradeoff, however, is that it’s currently not possible with available materials and processes to create a type IV level plate on a commercial basis, meaning it is not rated to stop armor-piercing rounds. Polyethylene plates are also around 200%-300% more costly than ceramic. HighCom Armor manufactures multiple Level III PE plate solutions.

3. CERAMIC

When a projectile hits a ceramic plate, there is localized fracturing of the ceramic, causing the projectile to dump massive amounts of its energy. The ceramic breaks up the bullet, and then the fragments are caught with backing materials like Kevlar.

One tradeoff of ceramic plates is that they are unlikely to stop a bullet if they are hit more than once on the same spot. A 7.62 mm round, for example, can damage up to three inches of space on a ceramic plate. Because a ceramic plate breaks upon impact, the area that breaks is vulnerable to additional rounds in the same spot. There are circumstances depending on the ceramic capability and backing materials where it may still have the ability in close proximity to defeat multiple rounds.

These days, ceramic plates are far lighter and stronger than previously manufactured versions because of the materials used to create them. Weighing between 4 to 8 pounds for a 10″ x 12″, ceramic plates may be lighter than steel, but heavier than Polyethylene. Still, given the same level of protection (for example, Level III), a ceramic plate will likely be thinner and less costly than a polyethylene plate.

Here, Sensible Prepper Presents: Shooting Body Armor Level lll Plates. Testing both ceramic and AR500 steel panels with various rifle calibers using multiple hits and examining the results.

FURTHER CONSIDERATION

HighCom Armor offers a full line of military and law enforcement grade Special Threat, Level III, and Level IV plates. When considering the purchase of hard armor to go up against high-velocity rifle threats, consider HighCom’s Guardian series. Guardian armor is some of the best performing armor in its class and offers the military and law enforcement incredibly effective and affordable armor options.

CHECK OUT THESE GUARDIAN 3S9 BODY ARMOR PLATE TESTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQth9vdjINw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3-o-DoTMEw

 

Want to learn more?

Contact us today to learn more about the Guardian Armor or check out our latest armor testing videos to see us in action.
26th August 2017 BY
IN Product Reviews

PERSONAL PROTECTION OPTIONS FOR CIVILIANS – ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION

IS PERSONAL ARMOR PROTECTION NECESSARY FOR CIVILIANS?

Will you really ever have the need to protect yourself from someone shooting at you? Well, let us consider this. In 2015, there were 372 multiple-victim shootings in the US, that killed 475 people and wounded 1,870 more. Overall in 2015, 13,286 people were killed in the US by firearms and 26,819 people were injured. We’ve all heard about active shooters, terrorism, campus violence, school shootings, and workplace violence. What about the scorned relationship, raging driver, disgruntled employee, or an angry neighbor? You can never predict when or where someone will indiscriminately take their anger out on anyone in their path.

When the police become notified of an active shooter situation in progress, they will respond as quickly as possible and do all they can. But from the moment that the first shot rings out until the police can engage an active shooter, it is likely that the shooter will have already inflicted serious injuries or mortal wounds. The Department of Homeland Security research reveals that the average duration of an active shooter incident at a school is 12.5 minutes. Overall, 66.9 percent of the incidents had ended before police even arrived at the scene and could engage the shooter.

YOUR OPTIONS IN CIVILIAN ARMOR PROTECTION

So, what are your options when it comes to when it comes to personal protection from gun violence, whether for yourself or a loved one? Did you know that ballistic armor protection is not just for police anymore and it is no longer limited to upper body vests? From blankets and wall panels to armor inserts designed to fit inside backpacks, HighCom touts a high-quality line of personal armor products to protect you from ballistic threats whether at school, work, home. HighCom’s Defender Civilian Armor Systems products are NIJ Standard 0108.01 compliant to provide protection against handgun threats as well as certain rifle threats.

HighCom’s Defender Civilian Armor Insert is available in Level IIIA and Level III. Both of levels are available in custom sizing and can be inserted in any case or baggage you may be carrying.

  • Level III  Insert is designed to withstand multiple shot impacts from high-velocity rifle rounds and it is NIJ Standard 0108.01 compliant.
  • Level IIIA Insert is designed to withstand multiple shot impacts from handgun fire, and it is also NIJ Standard 0108.01 compliant.

HighCom’s Defender Civilian Armor Insert is the top-of-the-line when it comes to personal and professional defense against ballistic threats, whether for yourself or a loved one. Our armor is designed, developed, and manufactured using state-of-the-art processes and equipment to ensure high quality and high performance when deployed by operators throughout numerous tactical and urban situations.

The Defender Insert is tested both internally and independently in accordance with the strictest criteria in adherence to the NIJ 0108.01 standard.  We also perform additional testing against V50 and special threat inserts currently available in a Level IIIA for handgun protection.

We live in a dangerous world. If you take the time to prepare yourself for the possibility of violence, you will multiply your chances of survival. You do not have to live in a dangerous neighborhood, work in a risky job, or have been the victim of threats to fall victim to violence. You could go to almost any school or job in any town and one day find yourself becoming the target of a violent crime or in the middle of an active shooter scenario. It is wise to see the value in having personal armor protection in case you find yourself in the middle of the unthinkable. Even if your life is not in a constant threat, it is always best to prepare.

Here at HighCom, your personal safety and security are vitally important to us. We don’t take anything more serious. Protective armor has never been so reasonable and the inserts are easy to customize for whatever your need. Slip an armor insert in your bag. Take it with you. Keep it near you. Have it when you really need it.

 

Want to learn more?

Civilian Armor
Contact Us
12th July 2017 BY
IN Testing and Compliance

FOSTERING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE TOP RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS

As the benchmark supplier of trusted, high-quality protective armor, HighCom steps up to the challenge of providing the best possible ballistic armor to US Military and Law Enforcement personnel. The importance of partnering with the top suppliers of high-quality raw materials used in our manufacturing process cannot be understated.  With over 20 years of industry experience, we have experimented with, tested, and evaluated every method available for increasing the effectiveness of ballistic materials and design.

Body armor has evolved tremendously over the last decade with advancements constantly made to both materials and design. The materials used in constructing protective armor varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Prior to being sold, all body armor must pass specific tests, meaning that these diverse materials should provide minimum levels of threat resistance.

Along with our partners, HighCom is committed to producing body armor using the most advanced applications and materials available. This means maintaining strong partnerships with the best raw material suppliers available. Several global manufacturers are in the business of developing and refining materials used in body armor. Those companies are competing fiercely to develop the lightest and most durable body armor materials possible.

Because lives are on the line, building great relationships with quality material suppliers is not a second-class priority for us. We partner with some of the top suppliers to furnish the highest quality raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of our products. Over the last two decades, we have learned to treasure our suppliers that work consistently at high levels and abide by our standards. Our raw material suppliers must be part of the value package that we provide to customers.  We look at our suppliers as partners that are helping provide our military and law enforcement with the best possible armor protection available to them.

RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS

We are fortunate to have forged great partnerships with the below suppliers to provide only the best materials for our products.

DUPONT™

DuPont™ Kevlar® ™ has developed law enforcement and body armor materials for more than 40 years. Kevlar fiber can mean the difference between life and serious injury or death for those in the military, emergency response, and law enforcement. Best known for its use in ballistic and stab-resistant body armor, Kevlar® brand aramid fiber is credited with helping to save thousands of lives. Lightweight and extraordinarily strong, it is used to make a variety of clothing, accessories, and equipment safer, more cut resistant and durable.

TEIJIN ARAMID

Aramid fiber (1961) is a strong, lightweight and fire-resistant synthetic fiber used in aerospace and military applications. By integrating into bulletproof vests, manufacturers involved in soft ballistic protection can confidently and easily offer enhanced user comfort, and protection against all kinds of bullets and fragments, as well as against stabbing with sharp and pointed objects.

HONEYWELL SPECTRA® FIBERS AND COMPOSITES

Honeywell Spectra Shield® and Gold Shield® ballistic materials have been protecting military and law enforcement personnel for more than 20 years. These high-performance composites have been specially designed for comfort and flexibility. Honeywell’s patented unidirectional Shield technology to enhance ballistic properties is manufactured under a comprehensive quality control process.

DYNEEMA® (DSM)

For military and law enforcement officers in high-risk environments, armor made with Dyneema® technologies is raising the protection benchmark. It provides maximum protection in a lighter, flexible solution that enhances comfort, mobility, and efficiency.  Body armor manufactured with Dyneema® ballistic panels provide superior protection against a wide range of threats including handgun ammunition, grenade fragments, and knives.

MMI TEXTILES INC.

MMI is a premier fabric supplier in the textile marketplace. MMI produces a family of ultra-thin, ultra-light and wearable protective materials. They value their relationship and commitment to the military and tactical industry.

BARRDAY PROTECTIVE SOLUTIONS

Barrday Protective Solutions is a leader in the design, development, and manufacture of high-performance finished woven and unidirectional materials for protective applications. They produce a wide range of materials for use in body armor applications and work very closely with their customers in both the commercial and military markets to develop solutions using technology.

BROOKWOOD COMPANIES

Brookwood Companies is the premier, integrated source for military, tactical, and performance synthetic and synthetic blend textiles throughout the world.

COORSTEK

CoorsTek is the global leader in technical ceramics. CoorsTek produces ceramic armor components used as the ballistic armor strikeface of lightweight composite armor systems. CeraShield™ ceramics work with appropriate backing systems to neutralize various ballistic threats including armor-piercing rounds and IED shrapnel.

SAINT-GOBAIN

Saint-Gobain’s reliable ceramic materials for composite armor systems have been field-tested and approved for more than 40 years, consistently leading the industry with differentiated solutions. Saint-Gobain’s extensive material portfolio and manufacturing capabilities ensure a solution for any ceramic armor need. Saint-Gobain is vertically integrated, from silicon carbide powder to finished torso plates, ensuring time-tested quality and consistency of our products.

INDUSTRIE BITOSSI

Founded in 1962, Industrie Bitossi is one of the largest global manufacturers of alumina technical ceramics. Industrie Bitossi’s key business area includes the defense industry (armor components).

INDEPENDENT TESTING

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) established performance standards for body armor and is the performance benchmark for ballistic-resistant body armor. That is why we have partnered with the following companies for independent testing of our protective body armor.

OREGON BALLISTIC LABORATORIES (OBL)

Oregon Ballistic Laboratories is an independent, full-service armor testing lab. OBL is an NIJ certified, NVLAP accredited body armor testing laboratory capable of performing all portions of NIJ Standard 0101.06, including the hard and soft armor environmental conditioning cycles. OBL is also certified by the US Army Aberdeen Test Center to perform testing in the Hard Armor and Soft Armor commodity areas.

NTS CHESAPEAKE

NTS Chesapeake is a state-of-the-art laboratory providing ballistic experimentation in support of munitions and protection systems.  The facility is approved by the National Institute of Justice to perform personal body armor testing to NIJ Standard 0101.06 Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor and NIJ Standard 0115.00 Stab Resistance of Personal Body Armor. The laboratory is also approved by the US Army Aberdeen Test Center to perform helmet, hard and soft armor testing.

HighCom is proud to have fostered high-quality relationships with these partner companies to provide the best possible protective armor on the market today

Want to learn more?

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you choose the most effective armor to save lives or check out our latest armor testing videos to see us in action.
28th June 2017 BY
IN News, Who We Protect

CLOSING THE GAP OF THE UNPROTECTED PROTECTORS

Our primary mission at HighCom is saving lives. As a USA manufacturer, HighCom has supplied personal protective equipment to America’s law enforcement agencies for over two decades. Because law enforcement officers depend on body armor to protect them, we are honored to be in partnership with the Safe Surfin’ Foundation to help our law enforcement brothers/sisters be better protected from those they protect us from. Safe Surfin’s “Protect the Protectors,” initiative does just that by providing critical body armor to cash strapped police agencies nationwide.

Protect the Protectors was launched after the shooting of a West Virginia State Trooper five years ago. West Virginia State Police Corporal Andrew Loudin, a husband and father of three young children, was investigating allegations of child sexual abuse when he was shot twice in the chest by the suspect. Loudin was not wearing a ballistic vest at the time of the shooting. The bullets fragmented and pierced his lungs, liver, abdomen, and diaphragm. They also came very close to his heart and the main blood vessels to his heart. The odds against Cpl. Loudin’s survival were high. The risk of dying from a gunshot wound to the torso is 3.4 times higher for law enforcement officers who do not wear armor vests according to a 2016 Congressional Research Service study. And a Police Executive Research Forum study showed that law enforcement officers who do not routinely wear body armor, risk fatal injury at a rate 14 times higher than officers who do. But Loudin beat the odds. Not only did he survive, but he later returned to work.

Many officers are not so fortunate. The FBI reports that between 2006-2015, 21,539 U.S. law enforcement officers were injured by firearms and 454 succumbed to those injuries. Thirty-two percent of the officers who were feloniously killed during that period were not wearing body armor. Body armor has been proven to save lives and help reduce injuries to officers. Since 1987, more than 3,000 law enforcement officers have survived life-threatening injuries because body armor protected them.

So why are a third of officers who are murdered not wearing body armor? Bedford County, Virginia Sheriff Mike Brown set out to answer that question after he had a conversation with Cpl. Loudin following the shooting. While there are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States, Sheriff Brown discovered that 236,000 police officers do not have body armor according to a RAND Corporation study. And many officers who did, possessed body armor that was well past the five-year shelf life.

What it comes down to is that many law enforcement agencies are grossly underfunded, creating a critical safety issue for those on the front lines.  Sheriff Brown believes that vests are a critical resource every officer should have, and it’s hard to disagree. As a result, Brown started the “Protect the Protectors” initiative through his “Safe Surfin’ Foundation” program. Protect the Protectors collects donations to purchase and donate ballistic vests to law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff Brown organized donors from across the country and Protect the Protectors kicked off on August 2, 2013 with its first delivery of 16 body armor systems.  Safe Surfin’s Protect the Protectors program has provided more than 600 new Level IIIA vests to law enforcement officers across the country. “We consider it an honor to be the exclusive body armor manufacturer for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation” said Michael Bundy, President of HighCom.

Sheriff Mike Brown and HighCom NSA

This summer, at the National Sheriffs’ Association’s (NSA) annual conference in Reno, Nevada, Sheriff Mike Brown will be the recipient of the 2017 Ferris E. Lucas Sheriff of the Year award. The award, given annually by the NSA, recognizes a sheriff who has made outstanding contributions to law enforcement, exceptional service to his community, and for his contributions to the betterment of the National Sheriffs’ Association. The Protect the Protectors initiative is among the initiatives that he is commended for. Sheriff Brown has described it as near and dear to his heart.  “It’s very seldom that I’m at a loss for words, but I am. It’s an honor,” he said, referring to this award.

HighCom would like to congratulate Sheriff Mike Brown on this prestigious award. It is an honor to work with Sheriff Brown, and we are proud to be Safe Surfin’s armor supplier to his Protect the Protector’s program.
23rd May 2017 BY
IN Knowledge, Testing and Compliance

5 SIMPLE QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU CHOOSE RELIABLE RIFLE ARMOR

Here at HighCom, we know that choosing rifle armor for your organization is not something to be taken lightly. There is a myriad of choices for companies in the marketplace that supply armor. It may literally be a life or death decision and should be made after considerable research.

While organizations have many other options in the marketplace, there are key considerations one must consider when procuring rifle armor.

1. DOES THE ARMOR HAVE ACTIVE NIJ CERTIFICATIONS?

Armor protection is vital for our nations safety forces and the military. Deadly threats faced
by members of these organizations cannot be overstated and body armor is a critical
a component in personal protection against ballistic threats. The National Institute of
Justice (NIJ) has developed a rigorous and thorough compliance testing program to
ensure that body armor meets a minimum performance standard for ballistic-resistance
to determine whether the armor will perform as expected.

Is the armor you are purchasing NIJ certified Level III or Level IV rifle armor?

2. ARE THERE INTERNAL TESTING MEASURES FOR THE ARMOR?

Your armor manufacturer should have a state-of-the-art ballistic testing laboratory
which is designed to give their scientists, engineers, and end users a valuable tool for
assessing the reliability of body armor. Their ballistics lab should be able to perform most
of the tests that are performed under NIJ for external testing certification.

Their testing should go beyond a reliability standard. It should also be used to support
development and quality control of their armor systems, while also working on the next
generation of advanced armor solutions.

3. WHAT QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ARE IN PLACE?

Has the supplier implemented a Quality Management System that is not only ISO
9001:2008 certified, but also BA 9000 certified, a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) body
armor quality management standard? BA 9000 which is an extension of ISO 9001, is
specific to ballistics-resistant body armor manufacturing and testing. This critical
certification ensures that manufacturers provide procedures for communicating with the
compliance testing program, including unique identification for each piece of the body
armor to ensure accountability; that work areas are managed in order to reduce
negative effects on body armor; and that product testing must be completed at ISO
17025 compliant approved labs.

4. IS YOUR SUPPLIER THE ARMOR MANUFACTURER?

As the manufacturer, your supplier can effectively manage all critical aspects of design,
production, and supply of their products. The manufacturer can assure the buyer of a
total commitment to unparalleled quality control and continual improvement, thereby
providing the very highest in quality products. It is easier for a manufacturer to stand
behind their armor than it is for a high-volume distributor of multiple brands.

5. DOES THE MANUFACTURER HAVE A HISTORY OF BEING A TRUSTED SUPPLIER?

It’s important to know that the supplier has a proven history of being a quality provider
of protective armor. Are they recognized within the armor industry as a trusted and
valuable resource for high-quality and cost-effective NIJ certified armor solution? Are
they a key supplier of high-performing hard armor solutions, and played a key role in
the deployment of hard armor to Law Enforcement and U.S. troops.

LOOK NO FURTHER 

You don’t have to look any further than HighCom to be fully assured that you are receiving the highest rated body armor and personal protective equipment on the market. We have worked very hard over the past decade to design, develop, test, and certify many of our products to NIJ standards. Using our state-of-the-art ballistic testing laboratory at our R&D center and manufacturing plant in Columbus, Ohio, we perform rigorous tests to guarantee our armor products are 100 percent effective and reliable against the threats each is rated for. We have effectively designed and implemented a Quality Management System that is ISO 9001:2008 certified, and we are the first company in the world to achieve BA 9000 certification.

For two decades, HighCom has supplied personal protective equipment to America’s federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and military branches. We know lives depend on our commitment to excellence which is why we are dedicated to affordable quality and performance, exceptional customer service, and innovative technology. We are constantly investing effort and focus on developing the highest-quality personal protective equipment on the market.

 

Want to learn more?

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you choose the most effective rifle armor to save lives. Or check out our latest armor testing videos to see us in action.

HighCom Armor soft armor panel protective inside fabric stacked for production
1st April 2017 BY
IN Knowledge

Is Body Armor bulletproof? 10 Facts About Body Armor!

10 Facts About Body Armor and Why “Bulletproof” Body Armor is a MYTH!

1.  There is no such thing as bulletproof armor 

There is no such thing as bulletproof body armor. Bulletproof is a MYTH. For every “bulletproof” vest or plate on the market, we can show you a ballistic round “bullet” that will penetrate that product. If someone is marketing a bulletproof product, run for your life. Anyone who is a legitimate designer or manufacturer of a ballistic-resistant product will never use this type of language.

2. Every bullet should be considered lethal

Every bullet is lethal; no ballistic resistant product will be able to stop a bullet 100% every time. The force of the shot, also called blunt force trauma can knock you unconscious, or at worst kill you. According to NIJ standard 0101.06, a ballistic-resistant vest requires a back face signature that is below 44 mm, which is to secure that you survive the impact of the bullet.

3. Why do so many people online offer bulletproof products?

We have seen an explosion (no pun intended) of these fly-by-night companies, resellers, and foreign companies who offer “bulletproof” products. While some companies might be legitimate, you ALWAYS need to do your research to make sure you are buying from a trusted and reputable company. We recommend you take a closer look at anyone using the term “bulletproof” to describe their products as nothing is bulletproof.

4. Is a concealable carrier or tactical carrier ballistic-resistant?

A carrier is a textile sewn good that is typically constructed from various combinations of Nylon material such as  420D, 500D, 600D, 1000D (“D=Denier”) for the sole purpose of inserting your ballistic resistant panels and can be worn covertly or overtly. Carriers without panels or inserts are not ballistic-resistant.

5. Why should I buy NIJ 0101.06 compliant body armor?

Body Armor that is NIJ Standard 0101.06 compliant offers increased security for you as your ballistic-resistant vest is designed and manufactured to defeat the latest ballistic threats. The NIJ Standard 0101.06 is currently the most rigorous body armor testing standard that has worldwide recognition. The NIJ Standard 0101.06 is the latest standard published National Institute of Justice (NIJ)sand sets minimum resistance requirements for personnel soft body armor as well as hard rifle armor. View our NIJ 0101.06 Compliant products.

6. What is the life expectancy of ballistic-resistant panels or plates?

Most ballistic-resistant products have a shelf life of between 5-10 years. This is due to many reasons including raw material suppliers, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards which require that vests must work for a minimum of 5 years, product liability insurance underwriters, and industry trade organizations. When a ballistic resistant product is being used every day or 24/7/365 it will degrade for many reasons including environment, conditions, use, and care.

7. If bulletproof is not a thing, what about waterproof?

Oh, for the love of… Sorry, I lost my train of thought. NO. Just like bulletproof vests and bulletproof helmets, and bulletproof plates, and bulletproof shields are not a thing. Neither is waterproof armor. Again, look for reputable companies and look at the differences in language used; THEY SAY waterproof, WE SAY water-resistant. The technical definition of water-resistant is that it can resist the penetration of water to a certain degree, but not entirely. Waterproof technically means that it is impermeable to water, no matter how much time it spends in the water. This is simply not tested to any standard to say ballistic resistant panels will be waterproof.

8. How does a ballistic-resistant vest work?

Ballistic-resistant vests are made of many layers of various materials like aramid and composite materials like polyethylene and adhesives, and foams, etc. Typically, a ballistic resistant vest will act very much in combination with the fibers and material hybridization as a catcher’s glove or a soccer goal where the ballistic round impacts the area of coverage and pushes the material in but does not break or penetrate. Also important is the reduction of BFS or back face signature “Trauma” where the speed “velocity” of the bullet as well as the construction of the materials at impact will all play a factor in the blunt trauma.

9. What does V50 stand for?

This term V50 on its own goes to the very basis of no such thing as bulletproof. Ballistic armor is measured typically by two means of performance considered in standards. Those measurements are V0 and V50. There are several techniques for calculating a ‘ballistic limit’ for assessing the ballistic performance of an unknown material. The most used parameter is designated the ‘V-fifty’ or V50 value. This is supposed to be the velocity at which fifty percent of the impacting projectiles will penetrate the target and fifty percent of them will not. This velocity is accepted as a norm by many countries as well as test facilities. A V50 is also like a factor of safety in how over-designed a vest is. For example, if two vests have the same weight, the one with the higher V50 generally has a much lower chance of penetrations at muzzle velocity.

10. Keep your ballistic-resistant panels away from moisture

Body Armor should be cared for like you would your most important personal effects. Your vests should be stored in a flat and dry place where nothing would be stored directly on top of the panels. Keeping your panels in a dry place ensures they avoid humidity or damp areas that could degrade or cause damage to the ballistic materials themselves. Whether your ballistic-resistant vest is made of Kevlar®, Dyneema®, Twaron®, or any other ballistic-resistant fibers or material. It is important to remember that the external overt or covert carrier and the ballistic-resistant panel inserts should be cared for separately. You should NEVER wash the ballistic-resistant panel inserts in a washing machine, dry cleaning, and NEVER iron the panel inserts either. You should only use a damp cloth to wipe them down from time to time. Ensuring they are never wet.

Want to learn more?

Send us an email at [email protected] to learn more about how we can help you choose the most effective rifle armor or view our products online here!

You might also be interested in….

 
13th February 2017 BY
IN News

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN BODY ARMOR

Today is a special day: HighCom’s 20th Anniversary

From the beginning, HighCom had a goal of protecting lives from bullets and bombs using innovative technologies.  It is amazing to think about how far material science and armor technology has come since then, and we are proud of the role HighCom has played in this revolution. While being a U.S. manufacturer and distribution source for over a million pieces of armor throughout the world, we have been a strong partner for military and law enforcement since day one.

Today though, we are thinking more about HighCom’s future than its past. We believe armor systems will evolve faster in the next 10 years than ever before. We live in a robust technological world, and armor will become even more pervasive. We are nearing the point where technology and materials will become increasingly smart in design and performance to defeat the most complex threats in the world and the capability to cut and mold these materials, unlocking many new applications and enabling people even more in their conception of design and function.

Under our executive team’s leadership, HighCom is better positioned than ever to lead these advances. We have the resources and capabilities to advance and solve tough problems and are engaged in every facet of modern armor systems and have one of the deepest commitments to research in the industry. In my role as President, I enjoy time in product reviews and am deeply impressed by the vision and talent I see throughout our company and partnerships. The result is evident in products like the Guardian RSTP, 4s17, and 3s9 rifle armor platforms. As well as our new R.A.K. Rifle armor kits, these are just a few of the many innovations that are available today.

In the coming years, HighCom has the opportunity to reach even more law enforcement, military operators, and security personnel around the world. High quality protective products are still out of reach for many people, because they are expensive or they simply do not have access to a quality supplier. We will continue to focus on NIJ certified and Mil-Spec products that can be designed and produced for delivery at affordable prices to the majority of end users demanding the very best.  We look forward to continuing the education of customers in the value of an ISO & BA certified manufacturing facility from the United States exceeding performance and quality standards for the sole purpose of delivering the best products to the best people.

We have accomplished so much in our first 20 years, but what matters most now is what we do next. Thank you for helping make HighCom a great company today and for many years to come.

 

Stay Safe and God Bless,

Mike Bundy

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