United States Military Body Armor

The United States has had a interesting history with body armour. From the first days of the Civil War, and the questionable quality breastplates sold, to the modern and bleeding edge of ceramic inserts seen today, there have been many attempts, failed and succeeded, to generate body armour for the protection of the soldier.

SARVIP Series
The SARVIP series was a line of heavyweight ceramics capable of defeating .50 BMG threats, issued to aircrew.

SAPI Series
The Small Arms Protective Insert, or SAPI, series of armor is the modern USM mainstay for personal defence. It has been upgraded time and time again, and it's shape has become iconic over the years. The entire series, however, is made up of ICW plates.

SAPI

 * Original boron carbide plate, rated at sub NIJ III standards with it being required to stop three hits of 7.62x51mm NATO M80 FMJ.
 * Black cover, marked

ISAPI

 * Obscure plate rated for BZ API 7.62AK. Three hits still, but a fairly significant upgrade vs the SAPI. Few if any were issued, and the plate is quite rare.
 * No known photo exists, and the only mention of them being issued is their use by police who bought them from the Government.

ESAPI

 * Eponymous armor plate capable of NIJ IV standards and surpassing them. Later models went to 1.6 hits, 2 hits, and finally at Revision G, 3.
 * Pale green cover, marked 7.62 APM2.

XSAPI

 * Reserve plate rated to Threat Level X, capable of stopping M993 at least three times.
 * Tan colored cover, marked 7.62 AP/WC on label.