Jonas Olesen October 29, 2024 8 min read

HOSDB 2007 (bulletproof vests)

 

The British HOSDB 2007 standard has been in use since 2007 and remains a key standard for bulletproof protection in England, addressing specific threats and bullet types faced by the British police.

In July 2017, the HOSDB 2007 Standard was revised and replaced by the updated HOSDB 2017 Standard. You can find more details on the revised standard by clicking here.

The HOSDB 2007 standard outlines seven different levels of protection for both soft armor and ballistic hard armor plates. Each level is designed for specific operational scenarios and threat types, as described below:

HG1 / A
This is the lowest ballistic protection level for a bulletproof vest. It is recommended for use in low-risk patrol areas and can be worn both overtly (over clothing) and covertly (under clothing).

HG1
HG1 soft armor is recommended for use in low-risk areas. This level can be used as both overt and covert.

HG2
HG2 is recommended to be used for special operations where the chance of shootings is high. This type of vest is heavier and stops stronger small arms. This can be used with RF1 and SG1 hard armor plates. This is recommended for overt use.

HG3
HG3 is used for heavy duty body armor and is normally used with RF and SG hard armor plates. This is the highest level of soft armor and is not very common.

SG1
SG1 hard armor plates are designed to provide protection against close-range shotgun threats. These plates must be used in combination with HG2 soft armor to ensure comprehensive protection.

RF1
RF1 hard armor plates provide protection against soft-core ammunition from rifles, and are typically used in conjunction with HG2 soft armor.

RF2
RF2 hard armor plates provide protection against steel core ammunition from rifles, and are the highest bullet proof level for hard armor plates.

All the above levels of protection can be combined with knife and spike protection.

Of which a bullet proof vest can be called HG1 + KR1 + SP1. (Bullet + stab/spike protection)

The following section outlines the specific ballistic threats and the maximum allowable Back Face Signature (BFS) for bulletproof vests and ballistic plates. For protection levels HG1/A, HG1, and HG2, the testing distance is 5 meters, while for levels HG3, RF1, RF2, and SG1, it is 10 meters. Similar to the NIJ standard, the BFS is measured by placing specialized clay behind the vest or plate to assess the depth of bullet impact.

This requirement is essential because the impact of a bullet can be fatal if the BFS exceeds safe limits. For HOSDB body armor standards, the maximum permissible depth of the bullet impact is 25 mm, whereas the NIJ standard allows a depth of up to 44 mm.

However, there is a significant difference in the types of threats addressed by the NIJ and HOSDB standards. The NIJ standard places considerable emphasis on the .44 Magnum, which is more prevalent in the US. In contrast, the HOSDB standard focuses on threats such as the 9mm and .357 Magnum, which are more commonly encountered in England.

HOSDB Protection level for soft armor body armor according to HOSDB standard

HG1/A
This is the lowest ballistic protection level under the HOSDB standard. At this level, the maximum allowed Back Face Signature (BFS) is up to 44 mm, which is an exception compared to other ballistic levels that have a maximum BFS of 25 mm.

HG1/A is tested with a 9mm FMJ with a bullet mass of 8.0 g (124 gr) and with a velocity of 365 m s +/- 10 m / s and with a .357 Magnum soft point flat nose with a bullet mass of 10.2 g (158 gr) and with a velocity of 390 m / s +/- 10 m / s.

HG1
HG1 is tested with a 9mm FMJ with a bullet mass of 8.0g (124 gr) and with a velocity of 365 m / s +/- 10 m / s and with a .357 Magnum soft point flat nose with a bullet mass of 10.2 g (158 gr) and with a velocity of 390 m / s +/- 10 m / s.

Note that the difference between HG1/A and HG1 lies is in back face signature (BFS).

HG2
HG2 is tested with a 9mm FMJ with a bullet mass of 8.0g (124 gr) and with a velocity of 430 m / s +/- 10 m /s and with a .357 Magnum soft point flat nose with a bullet mass of 10.2 g (158 gr) and with a velocity of 455 m / s +/- 10 m / s.

Here is the velocity of 9 mm and .357 magnum increased with 65 m / s.

HG3
HG3 is tested against 5.56 (.223) ammunition, for example with an H&K G36C. This is a very special level of soft ballistic protection as it is intended to provide protection against the police’s own machine guns. HG3 does NOT provide protection against FMJ or Steel Core ammunition, no matter what type it is. Maximum BFS for HG3 is 25 mm.

“HG1/A cannot have a BFS higher than 44mm and HG1, HG2 and HG3 Cannot exceed a BFS of 25mm.”

HOSDB 2007 HOSDB Protection levels for soft armor body armor according to HOSDB standard

HOSDB Protection levels for hard armor against rifles and shotgun

RF1
RF1 is tested with a 7.62×51 FMJ with a mass of 9.3g (144g) and with a velocity of 830m / s + -15m / s.

RF2
RF2 is tested with a 7.62×51 FMJ AP with a mass of 9.7 g and with a velocity of 850 m / s + – 15 m / s.

The difference between RF1 and RF2 is that RF2 stops AP (armor piercing) bullets.

SG1
SG1 is tested with a 12 gauge shotgun with a mass of 28.4 g and with a velocity of 410-460 m / s.

RF1, RF2 and SG1 cannot exceed the BFS maximum which is 25 mm.

RF1 HOSDB Protection levels for hard armor against rifles and shotgun