On February 15, 2023, in the course of a routine randomized NIJ Follow Up Inspection Test (FIT) test, we discovered that 1 out of 4 tested 1155 Single Curve plates did not perform at our expected M2AP Level IV standard (NIJ Advisory Notice #07-2023: RMA – 1155). While we were shocked with the result, we won’t skirt around the fact that one plate failed. But it does not mean the 1155 is suddenly a faulty armor model.
NTS Wichita and NTS Chesapeake have both subsequently conducted laboratory tests on the numerous production lots in RMA’s inventory—including the single potentially affected lot—and all plates successfully passed without issue. NIJ has found no variation in plate construction from our certified model which has passed numerous past NIJ FIT tests, end user field tests, in-house tests, independent laboratory tests and which is credited with numerous saves. To that end, we have concluded that the singular plate in question was detrimentally affected after leaving our factory.
RMA has taken action to remedy the issue internally alongside additional in-house lot testing, and we’re extremely confident the 1155 model will be restored to the CPL after NIJ’s review process is finished.
The NIJ’s advisory notice encourages owners of this plate to continue wearing it until further notice. In total, (6) 10X12 single curve SAPI-cut 1155 plates are in circulation that are potentially affected by this issue, and we are rapidly replacing these plates with new plates from unaffected production lots. Current users can rest assured that if you are not contacted by our team for a free replacement, your 1155 plates are not affected by this issue. Additionally, this issue does not affect any variants of the 1155 model such as swimmer cuts, multi-curve shapes, 11X14 plates, or 10X12 1155 SAPI-cut single curve plates from outside of the singular production lot in question.
We continue to stand behind all existing 1155 plates that are unaffected by this recall, and we look forward to future additional test proofing when we will once again ramp up production on our single curve 1155 model as an NIJ Certified armor solution.
RMA 1155 NIJ Testing History
RMA first began to produce the legendary 1155 hard armor plate in 2017. After a few weeks of testing, the Level 4 plate was issued its NIJ .06 Compliance certification letter on June 14, 2017.
FIT testing performed at NTS Chesapeake on February 15, 2023 resulted in a single plate failing out of four tested. Previous NIJ Certification tests and FIT tests exhibited the strength and reliability of the Level IV 1155 single curve plate and stand as reliable laboratory results from other production lots. RMA went a step further and tested eight more plates from the potentially affected lot that had a failure and each passed with flying colors. (READ THE NTS Chesapeake REPORT)
To ensure further safety of our quality assurance protocols, RMA also had ANOTHER eight plate from previous 1155 lots tested at NTS Wichita in a mock fit test on February 28, 2023 and each of those plates passed with flying colors as well. (READ THE NTS Wichita REPORT)
In the interest of further transparency, we are including links to the original NIJ Certification ballistic test as well as the five FIT test reports. In official NIJ testing, a total of 38 plates were tested to achieve the Level IV NIJ Certification standard, and all 38 passed. In the Follow Up Inspection Testing, all 16 plates prior to the February 15, 2023 test also passed the routine rigorous testing.
NIJ Certification Test
Date: May 22, 2017
Location: Oregon Ballistics Lab
Test Report
FIT Test 1
Date: August 31, 2017
Location: NTS-Wichita
Test Report
FIT Test 2
Date: October 12, 2018
Location: NTS-Wichita
Test Report
FIT Test 3
Date: January 8, 2020
Location: Oregon Ballistics Lab
Test Report
FIT Test 4
Date: February 3, 2022
Location: Oregon Ballistics Lab
Test Report
FIT Test 5
Date: February 15, 2023
Location: NTS-Chesapeake
(NIJ Advisory Notice #07-2023: RMA – 1155)
Test Report
Independent Testing
Beyond the scope of official NIJ testing throughout the certification and FIT testing process, we have long been forthright with the performance of our Level IV model 1155 hard armor plates. We perform routine lot testing throughout the year and send plates to official NIJ certified labs for routine testing to ensure our materials and processes are second to none. In every test, our 1155 plate has never experienced a failure.
As many of you have seen throughout the years, numerous popular YouTubers in the second amendment space have tested our plates not only to the common level IV standard, but above and beyond.
While 30.06 M2AP rounds are the testing standard, RMA’s level IV model 1155 plates have defeated end user field tested threats like .338 Lapua Magnum, multiple M14A1 armor piercing incendiary rounds, M993 tungsten carbide AP rounds, and so much more.
Here’s a sampling of those videos:
Mrgunsngear: Defeated m2AP and multiple other rounds on April 21, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZyNkaQOxQ&t=42s
Iraqveteran8888: Defeated m2ap, 5 m193, 149gr silver tip out of 29” barrel on Mar 26, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1qLZwBeMuM
Iraqveteran8888: Plate 1: Defeated 2 rounds 164gr. 30.06 m2ap 26” Barrel, 2 shots 62gr, m855a1 18” barrel
Plate 2: 1 round 55gr 30.06 Accelerator, 26” barrel 3880 ft/s, 250gr .338 lapua magnum 26” barrel on October 27, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVxgl9m2om4&t=370s
Buffman R.A.N.G.E.:Defeats 2 rounds M14A1, Armor Piercing Incendiary .30 Cal Projectile on August 28, 2018
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dqg5k_kdPw
Buffman R.A.N.G.E.:Defeated m2ap, 2 rounds m193, 2 rounds m855, 1 round m855a1, 1 round TSX on June 8, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhsGaYzgC1M&t=659s
Military Arms Channel:Defeated 4, 174gr ball ammo out of belt fed PKM on a single plate, October 6, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZbyF3FBt9Y&t=1s
VSO Gun Channel: Plate 1 defeated 7.62x54R, while Plate 2 defeated 300gr .338 lapua magnum on October 17, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTe4Uog_bhY&t=632s
Throughout the lifespan of the 1155 series, it has been known to be an unflinching partner for M2AP protection for civilian, military and law enforcement users around the world. Across several years and hundreds of laboratory, in-house and field tests by end users, we have never experienced an 1155 model plate failure of any variant until recently. Although some may regard this as a statistical anomaly or fluke, we will not allow this outlier to call into question the capabilities or quality of our legendary 1155 series. We look forward to the very near future when the legendary 1155 plate will once again regain its NIJ certification.