IOTV: key features
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The USA’s Interceptor OTV (Outer Tactical Vest) Body Armor, and its SAPI/ESAPI ceramic plate inserts, offer a significant improvement over its 1990s predecessors in terms of both weight and protection. After episodic issues with production ramp-up and quality control, this gear is widely fielded with the US Army and several allied militaries (the US Marines replaced it with the MTV). Recently, controversy regarding the armor’s effectiveness boiled over in the wake of a TV news feature. The US Army responded with rare public claims about a competing product even as several high-profile legislators advocate independent civilian tests to ensure that US soldiers are really getting the best system.

While that controversy plays out and determinations are made, improvements are still being made to the OTV system in response to feedback from the field. Hence the Improved OTV, which recently received a pair of contracts…

The IOTV: Improvements

older Interceptor OTV
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The IOTV is more than 3 pounds lighter than its predecessor, but provides an equal level of protection over an increased area by eliminating overlap and changing design features like the vest’s cut in the arm pit area, adding an integrated throat protector instead of an attachable version, and adding integrated side plate carriers. That, plus an overhead instead of a front-opening design, decrease the vest’s profile Overall but extends its coverage by 52 square inches.

Other IOTV features include a single-stage quick release added to the front of the vest that removes the vest in 2 pieces. This is very useful to medics, who can also use an opening on the left shoulder if maintaining protection is important. It’s even more useful to soldiers trapped in overturned or submerged vehicles, which has been a consistent issue in Iraq. An internal waistband moves more of the weight from the shoulders to the waist, long variants are now issued (surely a relief to the beanpole types), more MOLLE attachments for pouches et. al. in front now that the opening isn’t up front, vertically adjustable pouches for the ceramic plates within the vest, vertically adjustable side plate carriers, mesh lining, and channels/storage for those ubiquitous cables.

The IOTV began with a body armor industry day in the spring of 2006, which subsequently attracted revised designs from vendors. We’ll leave the question of which system is best to independent testing; what is clear is that the US Army procurement system is moving on system improvements across a broad range of items. Certainly faster than it used to – but also faster than most other militaries around the world.

Contracts & Key Events

IOTV: Components
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Unless otherwise specified, the The U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD issues any contracts related to the IOTV.

June 14/07: Specialty Defense Systems, Dunmore, Pa., was awarded on June 8, 2007, an $112,026,200 firm-fixed-price contract for improved outer tactical vests. Work will be performed in Dunmore, PA and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2008. There were 2 bids solicited on May 21, 2007, and 2 bids were received (W91CRB-07-C-0084).

June 14/07: Point Blank Body Armor Inc. in Pompano Beach, FL received a $52.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for improved outer tactical vests. Work will be performed in Pompano Beach, FL and is expected to be complete by March 31, 2008. There were 2 bids solicited on May 21, 2007, and 2 bids were received (W91CRB-07-C-0085).

April 2/07: The US Army’s PEO Soldier announces the Improved Outer Tactical Vest system.

Additional Readings

• US Army (Jan 25/08) – Soldiers Try out Improved Body Armor. U.S. Army Europe’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division is training with the IOTV, in preparation for a Spring 2008 deployment to Iraq.