Posted on 01/07/2006 3:53:57 PM PST by WillT
U.S. soldiers in the field were not all supportive of a Pentagon study that found improved body armor saves lives, with some troops arguing Saturday that more armor would hinder combat effectiveness.
The unreleased study examined 93 fatal wounds to Marines from the start of the Iraq war in March 2003 through June 2005. It concluded 74 of them were bullet or shrapnel wounds to shoulders or torso areas unprotected by traditional ceramic armor plating.
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade "Rakkasans" are required to wear an array of protective clothing they refer to as their "happy gear," ranging from Kevlar drapes over their shoulders and sides, to knee pads and fire-resistant uniforms.
But many soldiers say they feel encumbered by the weight and restricted by fabric that does not move as they do. They frequently joke as they strap on their equipment before a patrol, and express relief when they return and peel it off.
Second Lt. Josh Suthoff, 23, of Jefferson City, Miss., said he already sacrifices enough movement when he wears the equipment. More armor would only increase his chances of getting killed, he said.
"You can slap body armor on all you want, but it's not going to help anything. When it's your time, it's your time," said Suthoff, a platoon leader in the brigade's 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment. "I'd go out with less body armor if I could."
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Wonder what it is like wearing that stuff in 120 degree heat?
There our heroes go again - taking the fight FROM the enemy :)
Interesting, but I think that it indicates a need for newer, better armor and body armor research more than anything else.
At least they aren't wearing MOPP suits out on patrol. That would really suck.
We were working on that during the Carter administration then the funds were cut...
Carter or no, I imagine that we've made some advances since 1980. :-)
If you dress a man like a turtle he starts to act and move like a turtle.
According to our son who served in Iraq, it's hell.
Yes, you are more protected but your mobility is gone.
Agreed!
And all the hadjis have to do is use armor piercing 7.62X39 rds, which are not that uncommon at all and no current armor that you can wear is going to protect you...
Well, the ceramic plate inserts will stop even 7.62x51mm ammo, but at the price of being even heavier. And if you don't get hit right on the insert, which covers a limited part of the body, the AP will get you anyway. So I agree with you because there is only so much weighty armor that a soldier can wear and still carry gun and ammo, gernades, etc.
Oh.. RAH already thought of that. We need to be designing and building it.
/johnny
I stand corrected.
You want cool? Check this out. MIT is developing body armor destined to be in use around 2030. Although the article below doesnt mention it, this armor is also more or less "chameleon armor" - designed to blend the wearer into his surroundings:
Liquid Body Armor
Photo courtesy U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center
The Future Force Warrior is protected by liquid body armor built into his or her uniform.
With advances in ballistics, armies must develop better body armor. One type of modern body armor, first developed in the 1960s, is made out of advanced woven fibers that can be sewn into vests and other soft clothing. More commonly known as Dupont Kevlar®, this is one of the many body armor solutions currently employed by U.S. Forces. Another type of armor, SAPI plates, or "small arms protective insert" plates, are hardened ceramic composite plates inserted into a soldier's fragmentation protective vest in both the forward and back torso pockets.
Now, scientists are working on a new breed of armor made from magnetorheological (MR) fluids -- liquid body armor.
One type of MR fluid consists of small iron particles suspended in silicon oil. The oil prevents the particles from rusting. The fluid transforms from liquid to solid in just milliseconds when a magnetic field or electrical current is applied to it. The current causes the iron particles to lock into a uniform polarity and stack on top of each other, creating an impenetrable shield. How hard the substance becomes depends on the strength of the magnetic field or electrical current. Once the charge or magnetic field is removed, the particles unlock, and the substance goes back to a fluid state.
MR fluid will fill small pockets in the Future Force Warrior uniform fabric. The uniforms will be wired to allow an electrical current to pass through the fabric. The electrical current will be controlled by the onboard computer system and will automatically charge the MR fluid when there is a ballistic threat present.
MIT scientists who are developing the liquid body armor say that it will take five to 10 years to make the substance fully bullet resistant.
My son is there now, I guess I'll hear about it.
Thank your son for his service from both of us.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.