[swaghauler]

There were three hard body armors available to US forces in the 1990's.

1. Ranger Body Armor: This body armor became available in 1993 and was made in TWO distinct versions. The first version is available with a plate made of 80% Aluminum Oxide and a special ceramic coating. This plate was 12" high by 10" wide and 3/8" thick providing an effective 70% (1-14 or less on 1D20) coverage of the chest (but no abdominal coverage). There is NO BACK PROTECTION IN FIRST GENERATION RANGER BODY ARMOR. This first version weighed 7.5 kilograms and 2000 were made.
The second version came out a year later and had BOTH front AND back plates providing the same general protection as the first generation had. The weight of this newer armor was 11.4 kilograms and about 4000 were made. Both generations of plate were rated at NIJ Level3 (rifle)/SAPI protection.

2. Interim Small Arms Protective Over-Vest: This protective overlay became available in 1996. This armor consisted of two Ceramic plates (NIJ Level 3 rifle/SAPI) which were designed to overlay either the PASGT vest or Ranger Body Armor. The plates provided 70% coverage (just like the Ranger Plates) to front and back and weighed 7.5 Kilograms (in addition to the PASGT or Ranger Armor). There were 4000 of these vests ordered by the Army as a "stop-gap measure" until better armors could be developed.

3. Interceptor Body Armor: This vest was developed in 1998 and originally came with two distinct sets of panels. The first set of panels are THREE (two front and one back) NIJ Level 3A (pistol) and provided better coverage of the vital organs (80% or 16 or less on 1D20). The vest weighs 3.8 kilograms with this basic protection in place. There are also TWO SAPI (NIJ Level 3 rifle) plates providing an improved 75% coverage (15 or less on 1D20) over the previous Ranger Plates. These plates fit into front and back pockets and provide added coverage to the basic NIJ Level 3A plates for just 1.8 kilograms per plate.

For those who are interested, the NIJ Armor Standards Are:

NIJ Level 1 is proof against 95gr .380 ACP at a Velocity of 1055 ft/sec.
NIJ Level 2A is proof against all previous threats and 124gr 9mmP at a velocity of 1225 ft/sec. This armor will also protect against 230gr .45ACP at 900 ft/sec, and 180gr .40 S&W at 1155 ft/sec.
NIJ Level 2 is proof against all prior threats plus; 124gr 9mmP at 1305 ft/sec and 158gr .357 Magnum at 1430 ft/sec. It will stop 12 gauge 00 Buck as well
NIJ Level 3A is proof against all of the prior threats plus; 125gr .357SIG at 1470 ft/sec and 240gr .44 Magnum at 1430 ft/sec. It will also stop 12 gauge slugs too.
NIJ Level 3 (rifle) will stop everything up to 147gr 7.62mm NATO FMJ at 2780 ft/sec. This is comparable to the Army's SAPI Standard. However, it has been penetrated by rounds exceeding 3000 feet per second, though.
NIJ Level 4 (rifle) This will stop everything up to THREE ROUNDS of 166gr .30-06 M2 AP at 2780 ft/sec. This armor is roughly equal to the Army's ESAPI plates.

The other standards that should be looked at are the new Russian GOST-R 50744-95 Standards, SchutzKlasse 2008 Standards, and HOSD Standards.