| I am NOT at present conversant about all of the available types and models of body armor ... what I AM aware of, is the fact that the latest version of body armor that is on the inventory for ground troops operating in an urban setting is extremely heavy and tires out the troopers very quickly ... heaven help them IF they have to maneuver through doors and windows in a expeditious manner ... the size and weight restricts flexibility and this works against the trooper.
The civilian models of body armor are more than adequate to handle almost all hi-velocity rounds for most calibers of weapons and were lighter and allowed more flexibility than the military counterpart. MILSPEC does NOT endow a piece of equipment with some kind of super power. From what I could see, the civilian armor was up to any standard that the military would require of a piece of equipment. The usage of new composite material is as good (or better) than the old style armor plates that were used in so much of our old body armor, and allows for the lightweight and flexible business suits of today.
YES ... I know you are going to say there are special types of ammunition that will punch through civilian armor ... that's true for ALL armor - civilian and military alike. There will always be someone out there inventing a round type that will foil ANY armor you can come up with that a human can possibly wear.
*Keep in mind, I am NOT talking about some of the 'rip off' copies of reputable manufacturers of body armor ... there are cheap pieces of junk being sold as 'superior' merchandise.*
Bottom line - there are reputable civilian manufacturers that are offering a line of body armor that is superior to the standard armor which is the mainstay of the present military forces, that would give our troopers who are forced to fight in an urban setting better protection.
THIS I DO KNOW...
Last edited by Chief Bones; April 4th, 2006 at 02:52.
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