10-Year Body Armor Torture Test: Armored Republic’s Heritage Plate Still Stops Rounds

Legacy Meets Longevity: Retesting the Armored Republic Heritage Plate

In a powerful testament to durability and real-world ballistic integrity, Armored Republic revisits its Heritage Buildup Coat Plate—a decade after the original torture test. First tested 10 years ago through drops, crushing, and ballistic impacts, the exact same steel plate was pulled from storage and subjected to the same brutal regimen.

The goal? To prove that steel body armor holds up long-term, even under extreme conditions.

The Original 2014 Test: Forklifts, Drops & Firepower

Back in 2014, Armored Republic:

• Ran over the Heritage plate with a vehicle
• Dropped it from 15 feet multiple times
• Shot it repeatedly with M855 green tip 5.56 and .308 Winchester

The result? Zero penetrations and minimal deformation—a level of protection unmatched by most ceramic or polymer alternatives.

2024 Re-Test: Same Plate, Same Test, Same Outcome

Ten years later, Armored Republic replicated the test exactly:

1. Forklift Roll-Over

The plate was crushed under a full-weight forklift with no structural damage.

2. 15-Foot Drop (4x)

Dropped strike-face down, again and again, from well over 15 feet:

“The plate looked virtually undamaged after four high-impact drops.”

3. Ballistic Testing: M855 & .308

• Hit with 10+ rounds of 5.56 green tip
• Hit with 10+ rounds of .308

No penetrations
No critical backface deformation
No performance degradation after 10 years of storage

Why Steel Armor Is Still the Gold Standard

Unlike ceramics and polyethylene plates that can develop hairline fractures over time or from accidental drops, steel armor is structurally resilient.

“Steel doesn’t crack under pressure—literally. That’s why steel armor remains the top choice for longevity and real-world combat readiness.”

This is crucial for:

• Law enforcement officers
• Prepared civilians
• Tactical responders
• Preppers looking for long shelf-life gear

Fragmentation Control: What’s Changed in 10 Years?

The Heritage plate in the video uses the older generation FragLock™ build-up coating, which, while effective, showed slight edge deformation after the barrage.

We have since developed our coating to enhance elasticity & multi-hit capability.

In a live combat situation, the plate carrier would also help contain any escaping fragmentation, making both the old and modern plates highly effective.

Summary: What This Test Proves

Armored Republic’s steel plates outperform—even after a decade.

Final Thoughts: Ready for Combat. Built to Last.

Whether you’re wearing it today or 10 years from now, the Heritage Buildup Coat Plate proves that steel body armor delivers unmatched durability, impact resistance, and long-term performance.

If you’re looking for armor that won’t fail when it matters, choose the protection trusted by the free man—choose steel.