Sold individually.
The hardest standard in armor. One of the first plates to meet it.
NIJ 0101.07 is the most demanding rifle armor standard the institute has ever written. RF3 is the top of it, the level that replaces legacy Level IV, and earning that certification is not a single successful shot. It is repeatable performance across plate after plate, conditioned and abused before testing ever begins. Plenty of armor does not survive the process.
The HESCO RF3-400 is one of the first plates certified RF3 under 0101.07.
Then HESCO went past it. Rather than stopping at the certification round, they ran the plate through independent testing against a range of common threat profiles, each one evaluated on its own fresh plate. A dedicated test for 5.56 green tip, six rounds. A dedicated test for 7.62 × 51 M80, three rounds. Additional tests spanning lead core, mild steel core, enhanced-performance, and armor-piercing projectiles. Twelve threat profiles, each documented and published on its own terms.
That is the difference between knowing a plate is certified and knowing how it answers the specific round in front of you. Most manufacturers give you the first. HESCO gives you both.
It's stand-alone, so you won't need a soft armor backer and comes in a standard 10"×12" shooter's cut, with a multi-curve shape and just 0.83 inches thick and 7.7 pounds. Certified and publicly listed, so you can verify it yourself.
HESCO RF3-400 Specifications
| Spec | RF3-400-SH-MC-L |
|---|---|
| Protection level | NIJ RF3 |
| Standard | NIJ 0101.07 |
| Configuration | Stand-alone |
| Size | 10.00" × 12.00" |
| Cut | Shooter's cut |
| Curvature | Multi-curve |
| Thickness | 0.83" (21 mm) |
| Weight | 7.7 lb (3.5 kg) |
| Areal density | 11.05 lb/ft² |
| Construction | Ceramic / composite |
| Origin | Made in the USA |
What the HESCO RF3-400 Stops
- 5.56 × 45 mm M855 / SS109 "green tip": 6 shots at up to 3,150 ft/s
- 5.56 × 45 mm M855A1: 3 shots at up to 3,180 ft/s
- 7.62 × 51 mm M80: 3 shots at up to 2,810 ft/s
- 7.62 × 63 mm AP M2 (.30-06 armor-piercing): 1 shot at up to 2,910 ft/s. This is the NIJ RF3 reference threat.
*Note: A one-shot rating against armor-piercing is the testing standard. NIJ's RF3 requirement is a single .30-06 M2 AP round, exactly as Level IV was before it.
How the HESCO RF3-400 Is Built
Stand-alone
Full RF3 protection on its own. No soft armor backer needed.
Multi-curve fit
Multiple curvatures follow the contour of your chest instead of bridging across it. Better coverage, less shifting in the carrier, wearable for hours.
A 0.83-inch profile
At 21 mm, the plate sits flat in standard plate pockets without pushing your carrier out of shape.
Made in the USA
Manufactured by HESCO Armor in Aberdeen, Washington.
HESCO RF3-400 Threat Performance
HESCO's full published matrix for this plate size. Twelve threats, four projectile classes, with the minimum shots defeated for each.
| Category | Round | Max velocity | Shots |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead core | 5.56 × 45 mm M193 | 3,280 ft/s | 6 |
| Lead core | 7.62 × 39 mm M67 | 2,410 ft/s | 6 |
| Lead core | 7.62 × 51 mm M80 | 2,810 ft/s | 3 |
| Lead core | 7.62 × 63 mm JSP | 2,794 ft/s | 1 |
| Mild steel core | 5.56 × 45 mm M855 / SS109 | 3,150 ft/s | 6 |
| Mild steel core | 7.62 × 39 mm M43 | 2,410 ft/s | 3 |
| Mild steel core | 7.62 × 54R LPS | 2,832 ft/s | 1 |
| Enhanced performance | 5.56 × 45 mm M855A1 | 3,180 ft/s | 3 |
| Armor-piercing | 7.62 × 39 mm API | 2,410 ft/s | 3 |
| Armor-piercing | 7.62 × 54R B-32 API | 2,850 ft/s | 1 |
| Armor-piercing | 7.62 × 51 mm M61 | 2,830 ft/s | 1 |
| Armor-piercing | 7.62 × 63 mm AP M2 | 2,910 ft/s | 1 |
Shot counts are the minimum number of impacts this plate size is expected to defeat under NIJ test methods. Velocities are maximums. Source: HESCO Armor RF3-400 technical data, June 2026.
Why Choose the HESCO RF3-400?
- Documented across twelve threats. Most plates publish the one round their protection level requires. HESCO publishes performance against twelve, so you can see exactly where this plate stands against the rounds you actually care about.
- Stand-alone simplicity. Full RF3 protection with no soft armor pairing to source, match, or verify.
- Multi-curve, not single-curve. A closer fit to the body than the flat and single-curve plates that dominate this protection level.
- Certified, not just tested. Plenty of armor is described as meeting the current standard. Certification means an accredited lab ran the tests and NIJ accepted the result, a distinction roughly a third of submitted models never earn.
- American manufacturing. Produced in Washington state by one of the established names in ballistic protection.
HESCO RF3-400 Questions
Is the HESCO RF3-400 certified for all twelve threats in the table?
No, and the distinction matters. NIJ RF3 certification under 0101.07 covers one reference threat: .30-06 M2 AP. The other eleven rounds come from HESCO's own testing program, not from NIJ. Both are real data. They simply carry different authority, and we would rather you know which is which.
What is the difference between RF3 and Level IV?
RF3 is the NIJ 0101.07 protection level that replaces Level IV. The reference threat is unchanged, a single .30-06 M2 AP round, but 0101.07 proves it under revised test methods including a required shot on the crown of curved plates. Same threat, tougher proof.
Does this plate stop 5.56 green tip?
Yes. HESCO rates this plate for six shots of M855 / SS109 at up to 3,150 ft/s, and three shots of the more advanced M855A1 at up to 3,180 ft/s.
Do I need soft armor behind it?
No. The RF3-400 is stand-alone and delivers its full RF3 rating without a backer. You can wear it over soft armor if your setup calls for it, but the rating does not depend on it.
Will it fit my plate carrier?
Almost certainly. A 10" × 12" shooter's cut is the most widely supported hard plate size available, and at 0.83 inches this plate sits comfortably in standard plate pockets. Multi-curve plates are slightly less compressible than flat ones, so check your carrier's stated thickness capacity if the fit is tight.
Is one plate enough?
The RF3-400 is sold individually. Most carriers accept a front and a back plate, so a complete setup takes two. Front-only is a legitimate choice for some use cases, but buy two if you want protection from both directions.
Where can I verify the certification myself?
NIJ publishes its Compliant Products List publicly, and we encourage you to use it. Search the 0101.07 list for the model designation and confirm the listing directly with the Department of Justice rather than taking our word for it.
Shipping
- Quick fulfillment! All in stock orders leave our facility within 1-3 Business Days
- No international shipping at this time
- Body Armor is legal to own in all 50 states (but we cannot ship to the state of Connecticut or New York)
- Easy returns and exchange policy
Law Enforcement / First Responder / Military discount available
Please see TERMS & CONDITIONS for additional details regarding lead time, shipping, warranty & return policy.
