>>64002015
Agreed, and that's why when anyone thinks armor standard, it's levels I through IV - NIJ. Even in China GA141-2010 kneels to NIJ for most commercial purposes.
>Imagine how much bullshit we would have if NIJ worked the same way.
It'd basically be a return to the pre-CPL days of NIJ 0101.00, which was a 1971 shitshow of things that work, things that half work, and things that don't work at all and nobody knows which is which.
>higher levels and more granularity
The real reason why I think VPAM is superior at least in terms of ratings is just that it considers tungsten threats.14 levels (with manufacturer unofficial + and ++ here and there too...) are too damn many. Realistically all NIJ 0101.07 needs is M855 included in RF1 with M193, RF2 replacing M855 with M855A1, and a new RF4 being 1x 7.62x51 Swiss P AP @ 810m/s or preferably a 7N37 proxy and it'd be perfect.
Where VPAM falls short is precisely what was exemplified in Buff's Colossus retest. As shown by 7N37 and others, there is a colossal (hah) gap between VPAM PM-12 (Swiss P) and PM-13 where modern tungsten-core AP reigns supreme and there are virtually no plates up to the challenge. If you need more protection than PM-12, you basically have no choice but to step it up to .50 BMG AP plates.

>>63942889
Incels can't lift these plates, 9.2lb and 1.488" thick.
MARTIAL DESIGN.
CYBERPUNK AESTHETIC
ARMOR OF THE FUTURE
STOPS .50 BMG AP OR NEXT-GEN TUNGSTEN CORE THREATS
NO CERTIFICATIONS
NOBODY KNOWS WHERE IT'S MADE
YOU'RE STILL GONNA GET CLAPPED BY A GREEN TIP TO THE FEMORAL