The VPAM scale as of 2009 runs from 1 to 14, with 1-5 being soft armor, and 6-14 being hard armor. Tested armor must withstand three hits, spaced 120mm (4.72″) apart, of the designated test threat with no more than 25mm of back-face deformation in order to pass. Of note is the inclusion of special regional threats such as Swiss P AP from RUAG and .357 DAG. According to VPAM’s website, it is apparently used in France and Britain.
The VPAM scale is as follows:
| Armor Level | Protection |
|---|---|
| PM 1 .22 Long Rifle | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: * 2.6±0.1 g (40±1.54 gr) .22 Long Rifle lead round-nose bullets at a velocity of 360±10 m/s (1181±33 ft/s) |
| PM 2 9×19mm Parabellum | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: * 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 360±10 m/s (1181±33 ft/s) |
| PM 3 9×19mm Parabellum | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: * 8.0±0.1 g (123±1.54 gr) 9×19mm Parabellum DM41 FMJ round-nose lead-core bullets at a velocity of 415±10 m/s (1361±33 ft/s) |
| PM 4 .357 Magnum.44 Magnum | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: * 10.2±0.1 g (157±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum bullets at a velocity of 430±10 m/s (1410±33 ft/s)* 15.6±0.1 g (157±1.54 gr) .44 Magnum bullets at a velocity of 440±10 m/s (1443±33 ft/s) |
| PM 5 .357 Magnum | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 5±0.5 meters, of: * 7.1±0.1 g (109±1.54 gr) .357 Magnum FMs (brass at nose) bullets at a velocity of 580±10 m/s (1902±33 ft/s) |
| PM 6 7.62×39mm | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: * 8.0±0.1 g (122±1.54 gr) 7.62×39mm PS mild steel-core bullets at a velocity of 720±10 m/s (2362±33 ft/s) |
| PM 7 5.56×45mm7.62×51mm | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: * 4.0±0.1 g (62±1.54 gr) 5.56×45mm SS109/US: M855 FMJ bullets at a velocity of 950±10 m/s (3116±33 ft/s)* 9.55±0.1 g (147±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm DM111 steel-core bullets at a velocity of 830±10 m/s (2723±33 ft/s) |
| PM 8 7.62×39mm | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: * 7.7±0.1 g (118±1.54 gr) 7.62×39mm BZ API (armor-piercing incendiary) bullets at a velocity of 740±10 m/s (2427±33 ft/s) |
| PM 9 7.62×51mm | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: * 9.7±0.2 g (149±3.08 gr) 7.62×51mm P80 armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 820±10 m/s (2690±33 ft/s) |
| PM 10 7.62×54mmR | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: * 10.4±0.1 g (160±1.54 gr) 7.62×54mmR B32 API bullets at a velocity of 860±10 m/s (2821±33 ft/s) |
| PM 11 7.62×51mm | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: * 8.4±0.1 g (129±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm Nammo AP8/US M993 armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 930±10 m/s (3051±33 ft/s) |
| PM 12 7.62×51mm | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from 10±0.5 meters, of: * 12.7±0.1 g (196±1.54 gr) 7.62×51mm RUAG SWISS P AP armor-piercing bullets at a velocity of 810±10 m/s (2657±33 ft/s) |
| PM 13 12.7×99mm | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from an arbitrary distance, of: * 43.5±0.1 g (671±7.71 gr) 12.7×99mm RUAG SWISS P penetrator bullets at a velocity of 930±10 m/s (3051±33 ft/s) |
| PM 14 14.5×114mm | This armor would protect against three hits, fired from an arbitrary distance, of: * 63.4±0.1 g (978±7.71 gr) 14.5×114mm B32 API bullets at a velocity of 911±10 m/s (2988±33 ft/s) |