Michigan-based manufacturer WarBird Protection Group leads the industry with multiple models meeting the National Institute of Justice’s rigorous new benchmark.
KALKASKA, Mich. — August 12, 2026 — WarBird Protection Group Inc. has established itself at the forefront of ballistic compliance, securing three soft armor certifications under the National Institute of Justice’s new NIJ 0101.07 standard.
Out of the first 15 models certified industry-wide, WarBird’s lineup accounts for 20% of them, with one of the four certified HG1 models and two of the 11 certified HG2 models—reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, trusted protection for law enforcement and tactical professionals.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for WarBird Protection Group as the company brings more than 50 years of family armor-industry experience to a new generation of ballistic protection.
“After months of working through the certification process, receiving these certifications is a tremendous accomplishment for WarBird,” said Matt Davis, Founder and CEO of WarBird Protection Group. “Having three products certified under NIJ 0101.07 this early in the transition validates the work our team has put into designing armor specifically around the new standard. We believe agencies and end users should have access to armor that delivers the required protection without unnecessary weight and bulk.”
Three Models Certified to the New Standard.
WarBird now has three NIJ 0101.07-certified soft armor models: the Phenom HG2, Vanish HG2 and Vanish HG1. The Phenom and Vanish HG2 models are certified at the HG2 protection level, while the Vanish HG1 is certified at the HG1 protection level.
Of the 15 soft armor models currently certified to NIJ 0101.07, four are HG1 models and 11 are HG2 models. WarBird’s portfolio includes one of the four certified HG1 models and two of the 11 certified HG2 models.
Under NIJ 0101.07, HG1 and HG2 replace the previous Level II and Level IIIA classifications for handgun-resistant armor. HG2 represents the higher of the two handgun protection levels.
WarBird engineered its Phenom and Vanish systems around a simple objective: provide the required protection while making armor thinner, lighter and more comfortable to wear.
The Phenom HG2 weighs just 0.90 pounds per square foot and measures 0.22 inches thick. The Vanish HG1 weighs 0.82 pounds per square foot and measures 0.21 inches thick, while the Vanish HG2 weighs 1.09 pounds per square foot and measures 0.24 inches thick.
That focus on wearability is central to WarBird’s armor development philosophy. The company’s CORE Pattern System was developed using decades of experience, thousands of individual measurements and extensive wear testing to balance armor coverage with comfort. The company’s approach is based on the premise that armor can only provide its intended protection when users are willing and able to wear it consistently.
NIJ 0101.07 Raises the Standard.
The new NIJ 0101.07 standard represents a substantial evolution in ballistic armor testing. Developed to address advances in ballistic threats, materials and armor design, the standard introduces new handgun and rifle protection classifications and updated testing requirements. NIJ 0101.07 uses HG1 and HG2 for handgun threats and RF1, RF2 and RF3 for rifle threats. The associated threat levels and ammunition are defined by NIJ 0123.00.
The standard also introduces significant changes to the evaluation of armor, including additional shot locations, enhanced conditioning and testing requirements, and updated methodologies for armor designed for female wearers. WarBird has specifically highlighted the new neckline shot requirement, which evaluates armor’s ability to stop a projectile impacting near the edge of the protected area at an angle.
The new standard is designed to better reflect the conditions armor can encounter in the field and provide end users with greater confidence in certified products.
For agencies, the transition also represents an important procurement consideration. NIJ maintains separate compliant product listings for the 0101.06 and 0101.07 standards, making it important for purchasers to understand exactly which standard a product has been certified under.
Although WarBird Protection Group is a relatively young brand, the company is built on more than 50 years of armor industry experience through the Davis family. That history provides the foundation for WarBird’s approach to developing modern personal protection equipment.
WarBird has made significant investment in its Michigan operations and manufacturing capabilities and is now fulfilling orders for this new generation of body armor products. The company combines its’ longstanding armor expertise with a cutting edge factory and experienced operators to provide their customers with the highest level of quality and fast turnaround on orders.
“We aren’t interested in putting a new label on old armor,” Davis said. “We designed these products around the requirements of NIJ 0101.07 from the beginning. The new standard gives the industry an opportunity to raise the bar, and we’re proud to be among the companies helping lead that transition.”
With three NIJ 0101.07 certifications now secured, WarBird Protection Group has established the largest early portfolio of compliant soft body armor under the new standard.
For more information WarBird’s full line of soft body armor, eye protection and ear protection, please visit www.warbirdpro.com.
About WarBird Protection Group, Inc.
Our commitment is to empower individuals with equipment that preserves and enhances their world—driven by a passion for innovation, unwavering quality, and with a deep respect for safety and style.
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