9. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street, City, State, ZIP) National Institute of Justice U.S. Department of Justice 10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FIPS Software Summary, is attached. 11. ABSTRACT (A 200-word or less factual summary of most significant information. If document includes a significant bibliography or literature survey, mention it here) A test method and test parameters are defined for discriminating between armor-piercing handgun ammunition and nonarmor-piercing handgun ammunition. A multi-plate aluminum test target is described where the number of plates perforated by the bullet, when fired at the test target out of an industry standard velocity gun, performs the discrimination between armor-piercing and nonarmor-piercing bullets. 12. KEY WORDS (Six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key words by semicolons) armor-piercing ammunition: bullets; handgun ammunition: penetration test: test methods; test plates 13. AVAILABILITY Unlimited 14. NO. OF PRINTED PAGES 9 Order From Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 15. Price For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS [X] Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161 $7.00 USCOMM-DC 6043-P80 Mr. KRAMER. Our research efforts were focused on development of a test method that would be reliable and easily replicated. The test method, based upon ballistic performance, permits ammunition to be classified as armor-piercing or not based upon demonstrated penetration characteristics when fired at an array of 10 aluminum plates of a specific composition, thickness, and spacing. The final application of the NBS test method, which is a performance base test method, requires that a threat level be stipulated by those responsible for establishing such criteria. Once a threat level is stipulated an equivalency can be established—an equivalency of the number of plates penetrated-which could be used to discriminate between ammunition for classification purposes. In conclusion, I would like to note that the test methods and standards developed by the NBS-be it for this case or other activities that the Bureau engages in-are for use by the public, private sector, by other government agencies, and by those who have the authority to promulgate and enforce standards and regulations. It must be recognized that the Bureau of Standards is not a regulatory agency, and that NBS only develops the technical basis for voluntary national standards. NBS does not seek to mandate the use of these standards. Mr. Chairman, that concludes my prepared statement. Dr. Frank, Dr. Early, and I are prepared to respond to any technical questions which you may have with regard to the work of the National Bureau of Standards. [The statement of Mr. Kramer and the biographical sketches follow:] U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON, D. C. 20234 STATEMENT OF SAMUEL KRAMER DEPUTY DIRECTOR NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME ON ARMOR PIERCING AMMUNITION JUNE 27, 1984 Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee: I am Samuel Kramer, Deputy Director of the National Engineering Laboratory, National Bureau of Standards (NBS). I am accompanied by Dr. Daniel Frank of our Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory, who will assist me in responding to your technical questions with respect to the work conducted by NBS. The NBS has provided technical support to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), formerly the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, since 1971. This support program is funded by NIJ and is carried out by our Law Enforcement Standards Laboratory (LESL). The LESL program focuses on the application of science and engineering to the problems of criminal justice and was established in response to the recommendations of the President's Committee on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice. Our support of the NIJ encompasses a variety of subjects including weapons, communication systems, and protective equipment for use by the police community, such as body armor. In fact, the first standard that the NBS developed for the NIJ, which was published by the Department of Justice, was for the "Ballistic Resistance of Police Body Armor" (NILECJ-STD-0101.00 dated March 1972). NBS provides technical support to the NIJ and has recently issued a report setting forth a "Test Procedure for Armor-Piercing Ammunition." A brief description of our work in support of the NIJ and an explanation of the test procedure should be of benefit in understanding our role. The NBS research relative to body armor centered on the establishment of ballistic threat level classifications and reliable test methods to evaluate the level of protection that a product provides when impacted with a projectile from a firearm. As such, the primary concern was that the body armor resist penetration from a given ballistic threat and also prevent injury as a consequence of blunt trauma. The NBS conducted this research in conjunction with other government agencies, the private sector, and the law enforcement community, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the U.S. Army laboratories at Edgewood Arsenal, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and Natick, Massachusetts. Subsequent to developing the standard for body armor, NIJ requested that the NBS develop a test method for identifying "armor piercing ammunition." The test method that was developed is described in NBS publication, NBSIR 84-2884, dated May 1984, "Test Procedure for Armor-Piercing Handgun Ammunition." Mr. Chairman, with your permission, I would like to offer a copy of the report for the record. 2 Our research efforts were focused on development of a test method that would be reliable and easily replicated. The test method, based upon ballistic performance, permits ammunition to be classified as armor piercing or not based upon demonstrated penetration characteristics when fired at an array of ten aluminum plates of specific composition, thickness, and spacing. The final application of the NBS test method requires that a threat level be stipulated by those responsible for establishing such criteria. Once a threat level is stipulated an equivalency can be established (number of plates penetrated) which could be used to discriminate between ammunition for classification purposes. In conclusion, I would like to note that the test methods and standards developed by the NBS are for use by the public and private sector and by those who have the authority to promulgate and enforce standards and regulations. It must be recognized that NBS is not a regulatory agency, and that NBS only develops the technical basis for voluntary national standards. NBS does not seek to mandate the use of these standards. This concludes my prepared statement. We are prepared to respond to technical questions with regard to the work that NBS has conducted. Thank you. |