When the Army needed a IIIA soft armor system for its Military Police, they chose FMS. That’s not a marketing claim — it’s a procurement decision made under scrutiny. If it holds up in their evaluation, it holds up in yours.
FMS delivers top-tier NIJ 0101.06 Level II and IIIA ballistic performance in a concealable form factor — without the premium price tag that typically comes with it. For departments that need solid, certified protection at a realistic budget, FMS is the answer.
01
Military-proven selection
Chosen as the primary armor system by US Army Military Police — vetted through rigorous government procurement standards.
02
Concealable every day
Level II at 0.290″ thin and 1.31 lb/ft² — light enough that officers actually wear it every shift.
03
Cost-effective, not compromised
Priced for departments without unlimited budgets. Affordable entry point with zero performance trade-offs.
04
Male & structured female fit
Both configurations available in Level II and IIIA — purpose-built cuts, not afterthought sizing.
Testing Standard
Tested past the standard. On purpose.
Every FMS panel goes through Armor Express’ in-house Ballistic Research Laboratory — tested beyond NIJ protocol, not just to it. Special threat testing is available based on your department’s specific requirements.
You can watch your order get tested. That’s the standard here.
No other armor company offers this. The goal is the peace-of-mind that only comes from watching your purchase be put to the test, right before your eyes.
Construction & Certifications
What’s inside
FMS soft armor comes protected in a seam-sealed ripstop pad cover. Every configuration is certified to NIJ standards and rigorously tested in-house at our BRL.
NIJ 0101.06 Certified
Seam-Sealed Ripstop Cover
AE Special Threats
DEA Protocol
FBI Testing
Quad Compliant
DoD Frag Protection
Male & Structured Female
Performance Data
FMS ballistic performance specs
All configurations certified to NIJ 0101.06 and tested beyond protocol in Armor Express’ in-house BRL.
Model
Level
Thickness
Weight
9mm V-50
Magnum V-50
Avg. 9mm BFS
Avg. Magnum BFS
FMS-A-II
II
0.290″
1.31 lb/ft²
1,667 fps
1,663 fps
31.3 mm
34.9 mm
FMSF-A-II Female
II
0.290″
1.31 lb/ft²
1,695 fps
1,645 fps
30.4 mm
36.2 mm
FMS-A-IIIA
IIIA
0.320″
1.53 lb/ft²
1,810 fps
1,661 fps
30.0 mm
37.5 mm
FMSF-A-IIIA Female
IIIA
0.360″
1.65 lb/ft²
1,811 fps
1,677 fps
25.2 mm
33.5 mm
Common Questions
Frequently asked
Have a question not answered here? Contact our armor specialists directly — we work with individual officers and department procurement teams.
What’s the difference between Level II and IIIA? +
Level II stops 9mm FMJ and .357 Magnum. Level IIIA adds protection against .44 Magnum and higher-velocity 9mm rounds. IIIA is thicker and heavier, but both are concealable. Choose based on the threats most common in your environment.
Is there a structured female version available? +
Yes. Both Level II and IIIA are available in a Structured Female configuration (FMSF prefix). These are purpose-built cuts — not resized male panels — designed for a proper female torso fit.
Can I watch my armor get tested? +
Yes. Armor Express invites customers to witness live testing at our in-house Ballistic Research Laboratory. Contact us to arrange a test observation for your order.
Is FMS compliant with special threat protocols? +
FMS meets DEA Protocol and FBI Testing standards, and includes Armor Express’ own AE Special Threats testing beyond the NIJ baseline. Custom threat testing can be arranged per department requirements.
Ready to protect your officers?
Volume pricing available for departments and agencies.
NIJ certification applies to tested configurations only. Always verify current NIJ Compliant Products List status at nij.gov. Performance data based on Armor Express BRL testing. All specifications subject to change.
Additional information
Level:No selection
II, IIIA
Gender / Cut:No selection
Female, Male
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Concealable Armor Sizing Guide
Soft Armor Panel Architecture Options
Because all premium soft armor panels are cut strictly to order, choosing the correct panel structure is vital for your safety, mobility, and comfort. Consequently, we provide three distinct engineering layouts to match your physical build and operational requirements:
1. Gender-Neutral / Male Cut: This style uses a standard flat ballistic plane optimized for male and neutral body types. It delivers full, flush coverage across the torso without unnecessary bulk.
2. Structured Female Cut: This style incorporates engineered, built-in bust cups designed to naturally follow anatomical curves. Therefore, it prevents dangerous panel flattening and eliminates gaps at the armpits during dynamic movement.
3. Unstructured Female Cut: This configuration utilizes a flat ballistic plane layout. However, we alter the perimeter pattern dimensions specifically to accommodate shorter female torso lengths and narrower shoulder frames. This option is highly recommended for female operators who prefer a flat fit or place their panels inside external duty carriers.
Please ensure your selected panel layout matches your physical measurements before completing your order. If you need assistance selecting the proper configuration for your duty assignment, please contact our team directly before checkout.
Male Concealable Armor Sizing Guide:
These instructions serve as a direct supplement to our formal Male / Gender-Neutral Custom Sizing Form. To ensure a flawless, secure fit, you must be precise while recording all requested measurements on that document. Consequently, please follow these tactical preparation rules carefully before pulling your measuring tape.
Operational Setup Rules
First, the officer must wear their full on-duty gear, including their standard uniform shirt, undergarments, and duty belt during the entire fitting process.
Meanwhile, the officer must stand and sit normally without sucking in their stomach or artificially altering their posture.
Therefore, a separate partner should always conduct the physical tracking, as you must never attempt to measure yourself.
Finally, utilize a soft vinyl or cloth tape measure to ensure precise tracking against body contours.
Required Sizing Tools
Writing Utensil / Digital Device
Soft Tape Measure
Armless Chair
Completed Measurement Form
Alpha Sizing Baseline
If your custom sizing measurements do not align exactly with the baseline chart below, round your final custom calculations up to the next chart value to determine the appropriate Alpha size.
Alpha Size
Chest Range
Waist Range
Panel Width
Panel Length
SM
33" - 36"
28" - 30"
18
13
MD
37" - 40"
32" - 34"
20
14
LG
41" - 44"
36" - 38"
22
15
XL
46" - 48"
40" - 42"
24
16
2XL
50" - 52"
44" - 46"
26
17
3XL
54" - 56"
48" - 50"
28
18
4XL
58" - 60"
52"- 54"
30
19
Custom Measurement Steps
A: TORSO WIDTH (Standing)
Locate the officer’s belly button to clear your alignment baseline. Utilizing that specific reference point, accurately measure around the absolute widest part of the abdomen. Round this tracking up to the nearest whole inch and record the value.
B: BACK LENGTH (Standing)
Identify the most prominent cervical vertebra located at the baseline of the neck. Next, measure vertically straight down the spine to the top edge of the duty belt. Round this length calculation down to the nearest whole inch and record the result.
C: CENTER FRONT (Seated)
Have the officer sit normally inside an armless chair. Locate the top center of the jugular notch where the collarbones meet. Track vertically down the center of the torso directly to the top edge of the duty belt. Round this measurement down to the nearest whole inch and record.
D: OVERLAP / SIDE PROTECTION VALUE
Your choice of carrier style directly determines your required tactical overlap coverage. Therefore, follow the designated rules below to record value D. Note: If you plan to deploy your ballistic panels inside BOTH concealable and external carrier systems, always record the larger External / Outer value.
Concealable Carriers Only: Record exactly 3″ for Step D.
External / Outer Carriers: Record exactly 5″ for Step D.
Final Panel Calculation Formula
Calculate Value E by adding your Torso Width (A) directly to your Overlap Value (D): A + D = E Inches
FRONT WIDTH:
Calculate E ÷ 2 (Round up to nearest inch)
FRONT LENGTH:
Use Center Front Value (C)
BACK WIDTH:
Calculate E ÷ 2 (Round up to nearest inch)
BACK LENGTH:
Use Back Length Value (B)
Important Discrepancy Rules: Front Width cannot differ from Back Width by more than 3″. Concurrently, Front Length cannot differ from Back Length by more than 1″.
Female Concealable Armor Sizing Guide:
These instructions serve as a direct supplement to our formal Female Concealable Sizing Form. To ensure a flawless, secure fit, you must be precise while recording all requested measurements on that document. Consequently, please follow these tactical preparation rules carefully before pulling your measuring tape.
Operational Setup Rules
First, the officer must wear her standard on-duty undergarments, duty pants, and duty belt during the entire fitting process.
Meanwhile, the officer must not artificially adjust the height of her duty belt or stand with an artificially erect posture.
Therefore, a separate person should always conduct the physical tracking to ensure total accuracy.
Finally, utilize a vinyl or cloth measuring tape. Keep the tape level and snug, but do not overtighten it.
Required Sizing Tools
Writing Utensil
Soft Tape Measure (Vinyl/Cloth)
Armless Chair
Straight Edge Ruler
Alpha Sizing Baseline
Standard sizing based on bust and waist measurements for Armor Express female concealable body armor. Sizes in inches; select the closest match or opt for custom if between ranges.
Size
Bust
Waist
Front Panel
Rear Width
Rear Height
Front Width
Front Height
SM
34" - 35"
27" - 28"
SM-REG
17
13
17
13
MD
36" - 38"
29" - 31"
MD-REG
18
13
18
13.5
LG
39" - 41"
32" - 34"
LG-REG
20
14
20
14
XL
43" - 45"
35" - 38"
XL-REG
22
14
22
14.5
2XL
47" - 49"
40" - 42"
2XL-REG
24
15
24
15
3XL
51" - 53"
44" - 46"
3XL-REG
26
15
26
15.5
4XL
55" - 57"
48" - 50"
4XL-REG
28
16
28
16
Custom Measurement Steps
A: CHEST / BUST MEASUREMENT (Standing)
Measure the fullest part of the chest by wrapping the soft tape directly under the arms, smoothly across the bust line, and straight around the shoulder blades. Round this number up to the nearest whole inch.
Layout Rule: If choosing a Structured Female layout, measure naturally over the apex of the bust line. If choosing an Unstructured Female layout, ensure the tape lays flat across the chest tissue without compressed distortion.
B: TORSO GIRTH (Standing)
Wrap the tape horizontally around the officer’s waist at the widest part of the abdomen, using the center of the navel as your primary baseline reference. Round this tracking up to the nearest whole inch.
C: BACK LENGTH MEASUREMENT (Standing)
Track vertically from the most prominent cervical bone located at the base of the neck straight down to the top edge of the duty belt. Round this total back length metric down to the nearest whole inch.
D: SEATED SUPRASTERNAL NOTCH TO DUTY BELT (Seated)
Have the officer sit comfortably inside an armless chair. Next, place your straight ruler horizontally across the apex of the bust line. Measure vertically from the bottom edge of the suprasternal notch down to the top of the duty belt, routing over the ruler alignment. Round down to the nearest whole inch.
E: STANDING SUPRASTERNAL NOTCH TO DUTY BELT (Standing)
While the officer stands normally, position the straight ruler horizontally straight across the bust line. Track vertically from the bottom of the suprasternal notch down to the top edge of the duty belt, and round down to the nearest whole inch. We utilize this specific measurement as an essential reference point to calculate proper armor coverage transitions between sitting and standing profiles.
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