Plate Inserts for US Body Armor
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When reading about modern body armor one often hears about small arms protective inserts (SAPI) or Enhanced SAPI (ESAPI) ceramic plate inserts. While these inserts are more fragile than past generations of inserts, they offer a significant improvement over their 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. The Army itself has introduced the Improved OTV. Privately developed body armors like Blackwater Gear are also in theater. Yet all of these designs rely on a “vest and plates” approach that uses a similar set of inserts to give the vests most of their bullet-stopping power.
This DID spotlight article covers the USA’s purchases in this area. The latest news involves a $12.4 million order for Ceradyne to supply SAPI lightweight ceramic body armor under a foreign military sales requirement….
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Stay on top of developments with the US military's quest to improve body armor and developments with ceramic small arms protective inserts (SAPI) plates, when you subscribe to DII. Coverage includes:
- Background on the development of Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) and the boron carbide ceramic material
- Discussion of the pros and cons of the ESAPI's added weight and side armor plates to maneuverability, ability to withstand extreme temperatures, and other considerations
- Events since 2004, and tracking of contracts to Ceradyne, Inc., Protective Apparel Corporation of America (PACA), Simula Aerospace and Defense Group, ArmorWorks and others
- Links to related articles from DII including: "Quality Issues with USMC Body Armor Force Recall," "IOTV: Interceptor's Incremental Improvement," and "I Want My MTV - The US Marines New Body Armor"
- 4 photos
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