Interceptor body armor
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(US Army photo)
Interceptor is a kind of body armor fielded by the U.S. military that is more effective than traditional bulletproof vests. It is replacing the previous version of body armour called PASGT. Materials were developed by DARPA in the 1990s and the contract for production was awarded to DHB's Point Blank Body Armor Inc by the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center contracting.
Technical information
The interceptor body armor system consists of an Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) and two Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI). The OTV is lined with finely woven Kevlar KM2 that will stop 9 mm rounds from a sub machine gun (up to 1400 feet per second) and other, slower moving fragments, and is also equipped with removable neck, throat, shoulder and groin protection. Two small-arms protective inserts may also be added to the front and back of the vest, with each plate designed to stop up to three 7.62x51mm NATO rounds (also known as USA M80 .308 cal) with a muzzle velocity of 2,750 feet per second (838 m/s). The plates are the most technically advanced body armor fielded by the U.S. military, and are constructed of boron carbide ceramic with a Spectra/Dyneema shield backing that breaks down projectiles and halts their momentum before reaching the wearer.The Interceptor armor also has attachment loops on the front of the vest which accommodate the same type of pockets used in the Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) backpack/carry vest system. This allows a soldier to tailor-fit his MOLLE and body armor system to meet mission needs. While not specifically designed for it, the loops can also easily attach All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE)-based equipment, MOLLE's predecessor, as well as many pieces of civilian-made tactical gear.
The Interceptor Body Armor system weighs a total of 16.4 pounds (7.4 kg), with the vest weighing 8.4 pounds (3.8 kg), and two plates inserted weighing four pounds (1.8 kg) each. This is considerably lighter than the previous body armor fielded in Somalia weighing 25.1 pounds (11.4 kg) that most troops complained was too heavy and unwieldy for combat operations.
Side-SAPIs (SAPI is short for Small Arms Protection Insert) are also available, along with the newer version of the vital plate, the E-SAPI (Enhanced SAPI). These two systems are becoming standard for forward deployed troops in OEF and OIF III. The E-SAPI plates are thicker and heavier than the normal SAPIs, but they offer increased protection from M-80 AP ammunition. The Side-SAPIs protect the side of the torso under the arm. With the Interceptor body armor, E-SAPI plates, S-SAPI plates, and with the neck, throat and groin protectors installed the armor is significantly heavier than 16.4 pounds. A combat load of ammunition and first aid kit are almost universally attached to the webbing on the vest, adding even more mass.
The armor vest of the average US troop in Iraq weighs over 35 pounds, sometimes the vest with all their gear attached can weigh upwards of 45 pounds. There is a constant tradeoff, loss of mobility and comfort and more weight to carry versus increased protection. This is a point of contention in the US armed forces, with some favoring mobility, and others wanting as much protection as is practical.
The plates come in five different sizes and go into the front and back of the vest. The vest also has a quick-release feature in which a quick tug would drop the plates off the vest.
Combat use and controversy
The vest proved its protection prowess in Afghanistan and Iraq in which many U.S. soldiers were saved by wearing them. In particular, it is credited with saving the lives of 29 American servicemen in Afghanistan. There were issues with getting everybody equipped with the Interceptor vest at the beginning of the war.Of President George W. Bush’s $87 billion package that Congress has recently approved for ongoing operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, $300 million has been earmarked for body armor, including the ceramic plates, which currently cost about $500 each. A complete Interceptor system costs $1,585.Burgess, Lisa Stars & Stripes January 13, 2004
On May 4, 2005 the Marine Corps recalled 5,277 Interceptor combat vests made by DHB's Point Blank unit after media reports about the vests' ability to stop 9mm bullets. In November, 2005 Marine Corps ordered 10,342 Interceptor Outer Tactical Vests pulled from the operating forces after media reports indicated some samples tested by the manufacturer and by the Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland failed to fully comply with ballistics standards. In 2005, the DoD under severe pressure from Congress, authorized a one-time $1,000 reimbursement to soldiers who had purchased civilian body armor and other gear but in 2006 they gave orders not to wear anything but military issued body armor fearing inadequate armor could be purchased.
A recent United States Marine Corps forensic study obtained by DefenseWatch slams the Interceptor OTV body armor system, claiming "as many as 42% of the Marine casualties who died from isolated torso injuries could have been prevented with improved protection in the areas surrounding the plated areas of the vest. Nearly 23% might have benefited from protection along the mid-axillary line of the lateral chest. Another 15% died from impacts through the unprotected shoulder and upper arm," the report says. Side armor has been sent to Iraq in increasing amounts, but many troops don't want to wear it because it adds 10 lbs to the 16 lb vest and they say the added weight could decrease mobility and get them killed in certain combat scenarios.
On May 10th, 2006 the Army announced it is holding an open competition for companies to design an entire new generation of body armor to "to improve on and replace" the Interceptor. The Army said it wants ideas from companies by May 31. Congressional investigators say they are reviewing the Pentagon's entire body armor program, including the Interceptor vest. Investigators say they are worried the vests might not be adequate to protect troops. Some thought the answer lay with the Dragon Skin body armor, but it has had testing problems with the Army.
On July 3rd and July 11th it was announced that contracts had been given to Armorworks and Ceradyne to manufacture interceptor body armor parts and replacements, specifically the side inserts.
References
External links
- [Article on Interceptor Body Armor in Operation Iraqi Freedom]
- [U.S. Military Interceptor Body Armor]
- [detailed analysis and history of interceptor body armor]
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