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MTV, worn
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As the Marines themselves note, “body armor can be traced back to before the Roman Empire, when war was waged with sword and spear and the battlefield rang with the clash of steel on steel.” In time, its protection became so formidable that an armored, mounted warrior feared few enemies. A string of reverses from Crecy on into the age of gunpowder led to a growing offensive ascendancy, however, creating several centuries where warriors headed into battle without any armor at all.

That began to change in the late 20th century, and the pendulum is swinging back. The Interceptor Outer Tactical Vest became the US military’s standard equipment around the dawn of the 21st century. It’s credited with saving numerous lives, but the US Marines were less impressed. In the wake of negative After-Action Reviews, they turned to Protective Products International in Sunrise, FL to produce the Modular Tactical Vest (MTV) instead, designed by an ex-Marine.

In February 2008, the Marines put a hold on further MTV orders, following complaints from the field. That hold has been lifted with the awarding of 2 contracts worth up to $794.7 million for the Improved MTVs…

• MTV: Features
• MTV: Contracts and Developments [update]
• Additional Readings

MTV: Features

MTV components
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In recent decades, modern technology began to offer new materials with remarkable properties, as Kevlar and flak jackets appeared that could stop some shrapnel and low-end bullets. Special Forces experiments eventually led to designs that added plate inserts of metal, or of increasingly advanced ceramics. Which brings us to the present day, where soldiers from advanced militaries are once again heading into battle with 30-50 pounds of body armor.

Its protection is rather less total than that provided by the knight’s medieval plate, but a lot of soldiers are still alive because of the protection it does provide, even against high powered rifles. Even so, the modern soldier shares one complaint with the medieval knight: heavy armor that limits mobility, and heats up quickly.

MTV designer C. J. Quinlan is a former Marine staff sergeant and scout sniper who served 2 tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Quinlan owns the Jacksonville, NC-based Tactical Applications Group, whose vest design was selected by Corps officials over those of about 20 other competing companies.

“I started designing this vest as an active-duty sergeant with input from Marines in my unit,” said Quinlan, a former scout sniper. “We took it upon ourselves to fix something that needed to be fixed.”

Gannett’s Marine Times reported that Commandant Gen. Mike Hagee gave the new vest final approval on Oct 19/06, and Marines reportedly began wearing the new vests in February 2007, Even so, the MTV won’t engage a long procurement run – it’s reportedly only an interim solution, for use over the next 3-4 years. While the vest is a pound heavier than the Interceptor at around 30 pounds, it reportedly distributes its weight better and adds improved side protection. MTV uses the same ceramic armor inserts as the Interceptor.

According to the Marine Corps, It takes about 3 hours to train Marines to configure, wear and care for the MTV. This is new – past vests did not require training. Key MTV features include:

• A rifle bolster to allow the shooter to seat his weapon into his shoulder for proper firing.

• Increased coverage in the lower back and kidney area, side torso and shoulder, including integrated side armor plate pouches. This provides more protection from shrapnel in the lower back and kidney area, and protects the side torso area from bullets. Some troops have complained that the side plates create serious movement and mobility problems, however, especially when exiting vehicles, and can be more of a survival hindrance than help.

• “The ceramic plates are integrated into the vest… You don’t have to strap those on and adjust them like you do in the OTV.” This proved to be both blessing and curse.

• Wiring channels for communications gear.

• An improved closure strap system, and also quick-release capability for fast exits.

• An integrated cummerbund, which provides improved load carriage and weight distribution on the hips, instead of placing it all on the shoulders.

• Compatibility with MOLLE-type load-bearing systems that allow Marines to easily attach other load-bearing items such as packs, drinking systems, ammo pouches, etc. We say “MOLLE-type” because the Marines no longer use the MOLLE system, adopting the ILBE system instead after negative after-action reviews.

The Marines say that the vest was the Marines’ top choice when they tested it before a manufacturer was awarded the contract, and MTV has performed properly as tactical protection. The problem is its ergonomics, which has led to in-field problems:

• Despite the rifle bolster, there are complaints that rifle butts are slipping during recoil, causing facial bruises.

• To deal with this, some Marines loosen the adjustable strap. This lowers the vest and allows them to shoulder the weapon without interference, but also removes some of the protection the high-riding vest was designed for.

• The quick-remove tab is a useful safety feature, but complaints that it snags equipment have led Marines to tuck the tab in.

Commandant Conway later told the Associated Press by email that:

“I’ve worn the vest on my travels into Iraq and Afghanistan, and I can tell you those Marines have raised some valid points….”

In response, significant changes have been ordered. These Improved MTVs include:

• A modified removable ballistic panel pattern, to provide better body coverage and protection

• Improved ergonomics, mobility, and fit at the shoulders

• Improved cummerbund design

• Improved comfort utilizing a lumbar pad/ support; and

• Increased MOLLE footprint for load carriage.

MTV: Contracts and Developments

Obstacle course
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Sept 28/09: The Marines Corps Systems Command awarded 2 firm-fixed price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts worth up to $794.7 million for Improved Modular Tactical Vests (IMTVs), plate inserts, and associated spare and repair parts. Both contracts were awarded through historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) small business set-asides. Proposals were solicited via FedBizOpps, with 14 offers received from 7 different HUBZone certified small businesses. The winning contractors are:

Contractors expect to complete the work by September 2014. IMTV improvements were made based on feedback received from a survey of 1,000 Marines conducted in 2008 (see the Jan 5/09 entry).

Jan 5/09: The Associated Press reports that USMC Commandant Conway has ordered significant changes to the MTV design. USMC spokeswoman Capt. Geraldine Carey:

“The Marine Corps is developing an Improved Modular Tactical Vest to address the problem areas uncovered by the survey results [of more than 1,000 Marines].”

Aug 8/08: Looks like some fixes were found. Protective Products International in Sunrise, FL receives a $17.4 million delivery order under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-07-D-3065, #0003) for 28,364 MTVs and associated new equipment training.

Work will be performed in Sunrise, FL (60%); Granite Falls, NC (30%); and Fenton, MO (10%), and is expected to be complete in October 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $17.4 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole source award by the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA.

Feb 29/08: US Marine Corps Commandant General James T. Conway halts purchases of the MTV, after Marines complained that the new vests are heavier and less practical than the Interceptor outer tactical vests they had been wearing. The Marine Corps had ordered 83,000 of the new vests, and the DefenseLINK report indicates that they had received 76,000 as of February 2008. All Marines deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan are wearing the new vests. Lt. Col. T.V. Johnson, the commandant’s spokesman:

“The feedback on the vests is that the Marines don’t like the pullover design… A lot of the guys get scraped about the ears and face when they put them on…. The commandant wore it during a trip over there for Thanksgiving, and he absolutely did not like it. He made the call to not buy more until perhaps they find a way to mitigate the issues the troops are raising.”

Some “very senior” discussions are currently underway. Options include adding features to the MTV to reduce its associated problems, or jumping straight to a next-generation vest. DefenseLINK report.

Sept 27/07: Protective Products International in Sunrise, FL received a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for Modular Tactical Vests (MTVs). The maximum value of the contract is $30.1 million for a maximum quantity of 48,000 MTVs. An initial delivery order in the amount of $17.3 million will be issued for a total of 23,000 MTVs, miscellaneous spare and repair parts and New Equipment Training (NET).

Work will be performed in Sunrise, FL (60%); Fenton, MO (10%); and Lares, Puerto Rico (30%), and work is expected to be complete October 2008. Contract funds in the amount of $17.3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract is a sole source award by the Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA (M67854-07-D-3065).

Interceptor OTV, O-U-T
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February 2007: US Marines begin wearing the MTV vests as officially-issued operational equipment.

Oct 19/06: Gannett’s Marine Times reported that Commandant Gen. Mike Hagee gave the new vest final approval on this day.

Sept 25/06: Protective Products International in Sunrise, FL won a $33.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for 60,000 Modular Tactical Vests (MTVs) with associated training. Work will be performed in Sunrise, FL (60%); Fenton, MO (25%); and, Lares, Puerto Rico (15%), and is expected to be complete December 2007. Contract funds in the amount of $33.6 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

This award involved a limited competition with 3 proposals solicited (Marine Times reports that Paraclete Armor & Equipment Inc., of Saint Pauls, NC, and Crye Precision LLC, of Brooklyn, NY also bid on the contract). The Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA issued the contract. (M67854-06-C-3044)

Additional Readings & Sources

• Captain’s Journal (Feb 29/08) – Body Armor Wars in the Marine Corps. Defends the MTV.

• USMC (May 29/07) – Marine Corps: Issued body armor is best available for combat. “The Corps’ department for plans, policy and operation published in April the policy on wear and purchase of personal protective equipment. In it states that Marines and sailors may not replace issued armor with commercial protective equipment; however, commanders may authorize the use of commercial armor if it doesn’t interfere with the functionality of the issued gear…. Moreover, commanders are also not authorized to use unit funds to purchase commercial items that do not meet government test standards. Marines can buy their own equipment, but they will not be reimbursed.”

• USMC (April 27/07) – Marine Corps Tested Equipment Provides Best Available Solution to the Individual Warfighter. Issued in the wake of the publicized body armor controversies.

• US GAO (April 26/07, #GAO-07-662R) – Defense Logistics: Army and Marine Corps’ Individual Body Armor System Issues

• USMC (April 5/07) – Okinawa Marines first to receive new body armor; initial reviews positive for Corps’ next vest. Includes comments from designer C. J. Quinlan.

• USMC (Dec 4/06) – New vests pass the test

• USMC (Nov 10/06) – Marine Corps Systems Command Displays Equipment Helping Warfighters Win. “Sgt. Alexander Wesley, an instructor at The Basic School on Marine Corps Base Quantico. “It feels good to display this new technology. Marines are going to be safer because of it.” Wesley exhibited the full combat load, including the Modular Tactical Vest (MTV). “This is the new MTV prototype,” Wesley told war veteran Richard Johnson. “It feels great. It feels much lighter than the body armor currently being worn. It’s a lot more comfortable.”

• US Marine Corps (Sept 22/06) – Marines Test MTV

• DID (May 11/05) – Quality Issues with USMC Body Armor Force Recall. The issues involved Interceptor Alpha Outer Tactical Vests.