Upgrade your plate carrier with serious side protection using the LEVEL IV 6"x6" Side Armor Plate – Model 1155SP. Designed as a compact yet highly capable hard armor plate, the 1155SP delivers true Level IV rifle-rated protection to the vulnerable areas above your hips, complementing your front and rear plates with coverage where it matters most.
Built on a proven ceramic/composite design and manufactured in the USA, this 6"x6" Level IV side armor plate is a popular choice for law enforcement, tactical teams, security professionals, and prepared civilians who want a lightweight, multi-hit rated side plate without compromising on stopping power.
Serious Level IV Protection in a Compact 6"x6" Package
The 1155SP Level IV 6"x6" side plate is engineered to meet demanding modern ballistic threats:
Designed and tested to defeat rifle rounds up to and including .30-06 M2AP armor-piercing when struck on the ceramic strike face.
NIJ 0101.06 Level IV compliant (side plates themselves cannot be individually “certified,” but are built and tested to that standard).
Multi-hit rated, giving you increased survivability in dynamic engagements compared to older single-hit designs.
By adding Level IV side plates, you significantly improve protection for liver, kidneys, and other vital organs that standard 10"x12" or 11"x14" plates don’t fully cover.
Advanced Ceramic & Polyethylene Composite Construction
Model 1155SP uses a modern hybrid build that balances stopping power and weight:
Strike face: Alumina oxide ceramic designed to shatter and blunt incoming projectiles.
Backer: Polyethylene composite (PE) that absorbs and disperses residual energy, reducing backface deformation.
Cover: Professionally wrapped in a tough, 600D water-resistant outer shell to protect the ballistic core from moisture and environmental damage.
This ceramic/PE combination keeps the plate lighter than steel, while still delivering top-tier Level IV performance against armor-piercing rifle threats.
Lightweight, Stand-Alone Side Plate
Despite its high protection level, the 1155SP 6"x6" side armor plate remains very manageable on the carrier:
Dimensions: 6" x 6"
Thickness: Approximately 1"
Weight: About 2.47 lbs per plate
Shape: Single-curve to contour more comfortably to the torso.
Type: Stand-alone armor – does not require soft armor backing to achieve its Level IV performance.
At roughly 2.5 lbs per plate, the 1155SP offers a strong balance between complete side coverage and all-day wearability, even when worn with full front and back plates.
Professionally Built, American-Made Protection
Model 1155SP side plates are manufactured 100% in the USA at a dedicated armor facility in Centerville, Iowa, and are backed by a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty on ballistic performance.
Key quality features include:
Full edge-to-edge coverage on the 6"x6" strike face, maximizing the protective surface area.
Tight, consistent construction with rigorous ballistic testing to NIJ Level IV protocols.
Water-resistant sealed cover to help maintain performance over years of training and operations.
Some distributors also offer free incident replacement if the plate is ever used in a real defensive encounter—underscoring the life-saving role this equipment is designed to play.
Easy Integration with Most Side Plate Pouches
The LEVEL IV 6"x6" Side Armor Plate 1155SP is built around the most common accessory plate footprint on the market, making integration with many carriers straightforward:
Designed to fit standard 6"x6" side plate pockets found on modern cummerbunds and MOLLE-attached side plate pouches.
Compatible with plate carriers that accept dedicated side armor pouches such as the popular 0331 Tactical side plate pouch set and similar designs (check your carrier specs for compatibility).
Before purchase, always confirm that your plate carrier is designed to accept 6"x6" side plates and that the cummerbund or pouches provide the correct coverage and secure retention.
Ideal Users & Real-World Applications
The 1155SP 6"x6" Level IV side armor plate is a strong choice for:
Patrol officers and tactical teams who need enhanced flank protection during high-risk responses.
Security personnel operating in elevated-threat environments where rifle fire is a realistic concern.
Prepared civilians looking to increase coverage on a legally owned plate carrier for home defense, training, or disaster preparedness (where permitted by law).
Used together with NIJ-rated front and rear plates, the 1155SP helps create a more complete 360° protective system rather than just frontal coverage.
Key Specifications – LEVEL IV 6"x6" Side Armor Plate 1155SP
Model: 1155SP Level IV 6"x6" Side Armor Plate
Protection Level: NIJ 0101.06 Level IV (rifle-rated) – tested against .30-06 M2AP and comparable threats
Size: 6" x 6"
Thickness: ~1"
Weight: ~2.47 lbs per plate
Shape: Single-curve
Type: Stand-alone hard armor side plate
Construction: Alumina oxide ceramic strike face with PE composite backer
Cover: 600D water-resistant wrapped cover, edge-to-edge protection
Origin: Made in USA (Centerville, Iowa)
Warranty: 10-year manufacturer’s ballistic warranty
Compliance & Legal Notice
Body armor laws vary by state and country. While civilian ownership of Level IV body armor is legal in many U.S. jurisdictions, some areas restrict purchase or possession (for example, convicted felons are commonly prohibited from owning armor). Always:
Verify and follow all local, state, and federal laws regarding the purchase, possession, and use of body armor.
Use this plate only for lawful purposes, such as personal protection, professional duty use, or training.
Understand that due to the life-saving nature of ballistic armor, many sellers treat all sales as final to preserve product integrity.
Why Choose the LEVEL IV 6"x6" Side Armor Plate 1155SP?
Select the LEVEL IV 6"x6" Side Armor Plate 1155SP if you want:
True rifle-rated Level IV side protection in a compact 6"x6" profile.
A multi-hit capable ceramic/PE composite plate that’s lighter than steel but built for real-world threats.
Stand-alone performance, so you don’t need extra soft armor behind the plate.
American-made quality backed by a long ballistic warranty and proven performance in the field.
When you’re ready to move beyond just front and back coverage and create a more complete armor system, the 1155SP Level IV 6"x6" Side Armor Plate is a smart, professional-grade upgrade for your kit.
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