Velocity Systems

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Armor Protection At The Need Of Speed.

There are many companies producing ballistic protection systems. The competition has not only spurred R&D, but also lowered the cost of body armor, making higher quality products available law enforcement, private security and individual citizens. While not necessarily the most widely known company, many LE and military units use Velocity Systems.

Velocity Systems is a specialty/custom house providing custom armor solutions rapidly while maintaining no product volume constraints; this makes their tagline, “At The Speed Of Need” very appropriate. Their lead designer maintains over 20 years of experience designing armor carrier platforms and ballistic solutions. And if one of their products isn’t already available, they have the ability to have products available in weeks — not months.

A typical procurement process involves meeting with a customer to discuss the mission profile for armor. A working prototype is then manufactured, with the customer encouraged to run the kit for a couple weeks proofing the design criteria in the field. Once feedback is given, Velocity is generally 30 to 45 days in standard production for the final product.

Factory workers are operating large precision cutting machines
preparing the ballistic material and fabric components of body armor.

Spectrum Of Standards

There are numerous testing protocols for certifying the efficacy of body armor. DOD and others have their particular standards, and each branch of the military tests slightly differently. Soft body armor worn by law enforcement is certified in accordance with the NIJ standard, which is strictly a minimum test protocol and is not a threat analysis, though many of the NIJ test rounds used are representative of current threats. Of the NIJ levels (I, II-a, II, III-a, III, and IV), the first four are considered soft body armor and are generally more concealable and comfortable. Level III is the first tier in the rating hierarchy to utilize hard or semi-rigid steel/ceramic/composite plates, as does Level IV.

Level III and IV armor is designed to stop rifle fire from rounds such as the 5.56mm, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm, .30-06, 7.62x54mmR, etc. You need to pay specific attention for plates giving you a desired level of protection and multiple strike protection, if this is also a requirement. The increased protection associated with Level III and IV armor comes at the expense of weight and greater rigidity. Even in the best condition this affects user performance and efficiency and is exacerbated if you don’t use a properly designed armor and plate carrier system.

This Level IV plate demonstrates its
ability to offer multi-strike protection.

Even K9’s need protective gear.

Good Golly No MOLLE

Velocity manufactures soft armor at their factory, but most hard armor plates are made offsite to their specifications. All ballistic materials are pre-tested to specification before being received into the factory and all ballistic solutions are lot tested after manufacturing. The individual soft armor packs are counted no less than three times and are weighed to meet weight specification; there is also a final visual inspection before shipping to a customer.

Velocity Systems has an extensive and continual development program for armoring solutions. LE personnel who think all that MOLLE rigging on a chest carrier has to be used are missing the point. This type of set-up is not conducive to mission-specific raids or searches typifying everyday patrol or tactical team scope of work. What’s needed is gear that still allows speed, agility and protection simultaneously.
As an example, Velocity makes a plate carry with no MOLLE webbing at all, yet it still allows you to carry over six AR magazines. This is combined with front and rear Level IV armor plates that are multi-hit rated. The plate carrier doesn’t sag due to excessive weight, is fully adjustable everywhere and doesn’t restrict a waist pistol draw or carbine shoulder cheekweld. This same kit can fit under a garment and is so rounded it doesn’t print.

The patent-pending SwiftClip attachment system accentuates the adaptability of the Velocity Systems body armor. It allows auxiliary equipment such as Mayflower chest rigs, medical kits or whatever to quickly clip on or off the base component, whether it’s their Armor Vest, Plate Carrier, LBV, etc. The SwiftClip system allows for a stable load versus the excessive movement of simply wearing an H-harness over your existing armor, and it’s a much faster way of adding gear than tediously weaving MOLLE tabs.

Velocity Systems stocks a variety of ready to go plate carriers.
If you need something more custom, they can do that too.

Wear It!

Velocity Systems is at the forefront of making body armor more comfortable and effective in stopping a wider range of projectiles. The increased comfort eases the chore of maintaining self-discipline in wearing armor. Body armor can be characterized as a contingency, a “what-if” plan if you will. It’s worn for the same reasons we put on seat belts.

It doesn’t matter how tactically sound we are: We may run into individuals who are willing to shoot no matter the cost to them. The most important thing is making sure your body armor is worn just in case it’s needed. Velocity Systems’ products aid in making sure you wear your armor. After all, people are the real commodities in any organization.
By Todd Burgreen