MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Bullet Proof Armor Improvements for the U.S. Army

JUNE 23, 2015, by By Tom Bowman for SafeGuard Armor – The United States Army is well-known for equipping its troops with the most technologically advanced gear on the planet, and the body armor troops wear is no exception.

Body armor during the Vietnam war could only stop shrapnel, not bullets. These so-called “flak vests” were hot, heavy and inhibited movement greatly.

In the 1960’s, a true breakthrough was made by DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek, who invented the synthetic fiber Kevlar. Formally introduced in 1971, Kevlar allowed vests to be truly ballistic resistant, blocking out more than just shrapnel. Troops remained using the same flak vests they used in Vietnam for the remainder of the decade.

PASGT

The Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) was introduced in the mid 1980’s and was used by the U.S. Army until the early 2000’s. PASGT was the first to utilize tightly woven together layers of Kevlar, making it lighter and stronger than predecessors. This vest was light (only 9 pounds), and here’s why– although able to stop small rounds and shrapnel, Kevlar cannot adequately protect against rifle and armor-piercing rounds– this requires a heavy metal plates.

In 1996, the PASGT was combined with the Interim Small Arms Protective Overvest (ISAPO), designed to hold two ceramic plate inserts. While this provided some protection against larger rounds, it weighed 16.5 pounds, making the total weight of the PASGT over 25 pounds, which many soldiers thought was too cumbersome.

The PASGT was phased out in the early 2000’s, and by the time of the Iraq war in 2003, most frontline troops were wearing the next generation, the Interceptor. The Interceptor body proof armor consisted of an Outer Tactical Vest (OTV), which had side and back ballistic panels, made of finely woven Kevlar.

The vest could also hold two small arms protective inserts (SAPI), which protected against heavier weapons. The total weight of this vest, including the SAPI plates, was 16 pounds, but after upgrades to the SAPI plates, and introduction of inserts that could protect the sides and shoulders, the weight could go up to 33 pounds.

IOTV

In 2006, the public began to question the effectiveness of the Interceptor and the Army opened up bidding to create another vest. Design changes were made to the OTV, resulting in the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). The IOTV design re-distributes the weight to make it easier to carry, and overall is lighter than the OTV while providing more coverage. It includes soft armor panels, front, back and side ballistic plate inserts and collar and groin protectors. The total weight of this vest is still a cumbersome 30 pounds, though lighter and more protective than its predecessor.

The IOTV is currently the standard for U.S. ground personnel, but that doesn’t mean variants aren’t used. While massive improvements to body armor since Vietnam have been made, the current product is far from perfect– mobility and flexibility need to be improved.

So what’s in the pipeline? Funded by the U.S. military, researchers at MIT are looking at using fish scales to inspire next-gen body armor. The idea is that scales, made up of many tiny overlapping plates, can provide ample protection but allow for increased movement.

Other research initiatives are exploring the development of body armor that can augment the physical abilities of troops, allowing them to carry 100 pounds of gear without expending extra energy. The exo-skeleton design helps support the soldiers weight, which will reduce fatigue and long-term stress on his body.

Though improvements in ballistic protection have been made, weight and flexibility are still a main area where U.S. army body armor needs to improve.

By Tom Bowman for SafeGuard Armor: Tom has written a number of articles as part of SafeGuard Armor. He uses his expertise in ballistics to write many informative articles for a number of professions.

Comments

Filed Under: News

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Army Unveils Lightweight Combat Assault Ration

JULY 25, 2025 – The Army’s new close combat assault ration features a 39% volume reduction and 17% weight reduction compared to existing field rations, allowing warfighters to carry five days’ worth of nutrition in a three-day footprint. The new, lightweight, energy packed, nutrient-dense, individual field ration, called the Close Combat Assault Ration, CCAR, is […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

Financial Planning for Military Families

JUNE 25, 2025 – Have you ever wondered how military families manage their finances while dealing with deployments, relocations, and changing pay structures? Financial planning is a vital part of life for families who serve. With unique benefits, challenges, and lifestyle changes, military families must make smart financial decisions that protect their future and help […]

Recent Posts

  • Army Unveils Lightweight Combat Assault Ration
  • Coast Guard National Security Cutter Returns
  • USNS Comfort Arrives in Limón, Costa Rica
  • Air Force Shows Off It’s Mobility
  • Navy Aims to Modernize Fleet
MAINMENU



Powered by pixfuture


SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2025 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.