Operators wearing plate carriers and helmets with night-vision devices
Personal Protection

Vulcan Ballistic Inserts

Personal protection where it matters most.

When the fight closes to arm's reach, the plate between your operator and the threat is the difference that counts. CES VULCAN® ballistic inserts are engineered to deliver certified, multi-hit protection at the lowest achievable weight, giving frontline personnel the confidence to move, aim and operate without being weighed down by their own armour.

Every VULCAN® plate is body-conforming, thin and durable in long-term service, and is available across a graduated range of protection tiers, cuts, weights and thicknesses. Configurations can be tailored to the mission profile in partnership with our engineering team — the same design approach behind our ballistic helmets and ballistic shields.

Why Choose CES VULCAN® Inserts

Certified multi-hit performance. Tested and qualified against NIJ 0101.04, NIJ 0101.06, VPAM, HOSDB and CAST standards, with multi-hit capability engineered into every tier.

Lightweight, body-conforming design. Multi-curve shaping follows the contours of the torso for a low-profile fit that supports extended wear without sacrificing mobility.

Low trauma, high comfort. Advanced composite construction manages impact energy to reduce blunt trauma behind the plate while keeping backface deformation low.

A graduated range to match the threat. Three protection tiers — CORE, ENHANCED and SUPERIOR — span threat levels III to IV, so operators carry only the protection and weight the mission demands.

Proven across every domain. Deployed by defence and law enforcement personnel worldwide, and integrated into our wider personal protection portfolio alongside ballistic helmets and shields.

CORE

All ballistic inserts are designed to ensure the highest possible comfort while providing maximum protection to the user.

ENHANCED

All ballistic inserts are designed to ensure the highest possible comfort while providing maximum protection to the user.

SUPERIOR

All ballistic inserts are designed to ensure the highest possible comfort while providing maximum protection to the user.

PRODUCT VIDEO

CES VULCAN® ballistic inserts product video
     

PRODUCT SPECS

Request VULCAN® ballistic insert product specs
Technology

Advanced Ballistic Insert Technology

VULCAN® inserts are built from advanced composite laminates engineered for an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. This allows CES to maximise protection against ballistic, fragmentation and multi-hit threats while keeping each plate light enough for all-day wear under load-bearing equipment.

Each plate is finished with a durable, reliable carrier finish and an ergonomic multi-curve shape designed for comfort across a wide range of body types. The result is armour that performs consistently over long-duration operations, in training and in the field.

Protection Standards and Levels

VULCAN® inserts are tested and qualified against internationally recognised ballistic standards, including NIJ 0101.04, NIJ 0101.06, VPAM, HOSDB and CAST. Across the range, protection spans threat levels III, III+, III++ and IV, with multi-hit ratings and weights that vary by tier to suit the specific operational requirement.

Choosing the right tier is a balance of threat level, weight budget and mission duration:

VULCAN® CORE — the entry point in the range, built for maximum comfort at minimal weight across levels III+ to IV.

VULCAN® ENHANCED — broader multi-threat coverage per tier, for operators facing a wider mix of ammunition types.

VULCAN® SUPERIOR — the lightest weight-to-protection ratio in the range, including a level III option at under 1kg.

Note: detailed V50 figures, backface signature data and full certification documentation are available to qualified customers on request.

Modular Range and Integration

VULCAN® inserts are designed to integrate seamlessly with soft armour carriers, plate carriers and the wider CES personal protection system, including ballistic helmets and ballistic shields. Front, back and side configurations can be specified to the role and the threat, and every plate can be customised to meet specific operational requirements.

  • Front and back plates for standard load-bearing carriers and plate systems.
  • Side plates for extended coverage in higher-threat environments.
  • Custom cuts and curvatures to fit specific carrier platforms and body types.

Applications

  • Military and defence forces requiring certified, multi-hit torso protection for front-line operations.
  • Law enforcement and tactical units needing reliable stopping power without compromising mobility.
  • Specialist and civilian protective applications where lightweight, discreet armour is essential.

Technical Specifications

SpecificationDetail
RangeVULCAN® CORE, ENHANCED and SUPERIOR
Protection standardsNIJ 0101.04, NIJ 0101.06, VPAM, HOSDB, CAST
Threat levelsIII, III+, III++, IV
Multi-hit ratingUp to 6 hits, tier and level dependent
ShapeMulti-curve, body-conforming
WeightFrom c. 970g (SUPERIOR level III) up to c. 3,140g (level IV), tier dependent
Carrier finishDurable, reliable carrier finish
CustomisationCuts, curvature and configuration to operational requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

What standards are VULCAN® ballistic inserts tested against?

VULCAN® inserts are tested and qualified against NIJ 0101.04, NIJ 0101.06, VPAM, HOSDB and CAST, covering threat levels III through IV.

What is the difference between CORE, ENHANCED and SUPERIOR?

CORE, ENHANCED and SUPERIOR are the three tiers in the VULCAN® range. They share the same certified standards but differ in weight, multi-threat coverage and multi-hit performance per level, allowing operators to choose the balance of weight and protection that suits their mission.

Are VULCAN® inserts multi-hit rated?

Yes. Depending on the tier and threat level, VULCAN® plates are rated for multiple hits, with some configurations rated up to six hits.

Can VULCAN® inserts be used with CES helmets and shields?

Yes. VULCAN® inserts are designed as part of the wider CES personal protection system, alongside our ballistic helmets and ballistic shields, so operators can specify a coherent, mission-matched protection package.

How do I request specifications or pricing?

Detailed protection levels, V50 data and certification documentation are available to qualified customers. Please contact our sales team at sales@cesarmour.co.uk.

Request Specifications

For full technical specifications, certification documentation and tailored configuration support, contact our sales team or visit our personal protection page to explore the complete range.

Contact our team Email: sales@cesarmour.co.uk

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