Safariland makes more than holsters, though that is what most people think of. Safariland is the king of duty-rated holsters for military and law enforcement use. But they also make a variety of gear for both civilians and LE.
One LE-only line is ballistic armor and plates, which is what today’s news is about. Recently, the Safariland SX HP ballistic panel was selected for Predictive Ballistics LLC’s Overt Armor Kit (OAK), which Predictive Ballistics supplies to the FBO under a five-year, $61 million contract.
THE BACKGROUND
The SX HP ballistic panel with the OAK system is currently available to the United States Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other Department of Justice agencies. Although introduced recently, this ballistic armor has already been chosen for federal use. The SX HP is a Level IIIA hybrid ballistic panel.
Safariland introduced the SX HP in 2025 to push the boundaries of modern soft armor. It does this by balancing protection, weight, thickness, and long-term wearability. Evaluators selected the panel over 11 competing products after extensive evaluations of ballistic performance and construction quality, plus rigorous end-user testing focused on function, fit, and comfort.
The testing included some of the most demanding ballistic protocols in the industry. This underscores the level of scrutiny required for federal adoption.
What makes the SX HP stand out is its focus on delivering enhanced protection while reducing the compromises often associated with body armor. That matters for agents and officers who spend long hours in the field wearing armor. Reducing weight and bulk can improve mobility, comfort, and endurance. As someone who does train in a plate carrier, having armor that fits your body is key. It’s always a compromise between protection, comfort, and mobility.
SELECTION
“This award represents a major accomplishment for our team and underscores the constant commitment to innovation that remains at the heart of everything we do,” said Brad Williams, President of Cadre Holdings, Safariland’s parent company. “After introducing the Safariland SX™ HP ballistic panel in 2025, we are pleased to see broader adoption and enthusiastic feedback from customers that we have engineered one of the thinnest, lightest, and most protective hybrid ballistic armor on the market.”
For more new release news, head over to the CADRE Dispatch.
