03-26-2012, 02:53 PM
These guys have different armor carriers than we did in OIF1. We had Interceptor, which is a horrible vest for dismounted troops. You always would get throat-checked when you sat down too quickly. This was before the side plates.
There is much better armor available and has been for some time, even with conventional SAAPI plate and soft armor arrangement. The body armor industry is rigged though, just like small arms. Too many well-entrenched players who have paid their dues in lobbyists, so if something new comes along, they want a share in manufacturing, or else your NIJ Cert will get pulled if you ever had one in the 1st place.
A heavy-laden dismounted infantry unit is too lightly-armed to carry the fight, too heavy to run, making it a fun target for Ahmed and his brousins, running around in their tennis shoes, man dresses, and AK chest harnesses.
There is much better armor available and has been for some time, even with conventional SAAPI plate and soft armor arrangement. The body armor industry is rigged though, just like small arms. Too many well-entrenched players who have paid their dues in lobbyists, so if something new comes along, they want a share in manufacturing, or else your NIJ Cert will get pulled if you ever had one in the 1st place.
A heavy-laden dismounted infantry unit is too lightly-armed to carry the fight, too heavy to run, making it a fun target for Ahmed and his brousins, running around in their tennis shoes, man dresses, and AK chest harnesses.