Up to $160M for Enhanced Interceptor Vest Protection

Interceptor OTV(click to enlarge) Despite some past issues with the Interceptor vests, they are overall highly valued by soldiers in the field and ESAPI is an additional improvement. Indeed, the ESAPI ceramic plates are part of a sweeping upgrade of U.S. military body armor… In the 1991 Gulf War, ceramic armor plate inserts were used only by Special Forces. Thanks to a major upgrade effort completed in early 2004, they are now standard issue. ESAPI introduces a thicker ceramic plate that provides superior protection against armor piercing bullets. As Military.com reports, several factors went into the ESAPI decision. Maj. Gen. William D. Catto, head of the Marine Corps Systems Command, said he wasn’t happy about the year-long delay. A shortage of the raw material that is needed to strengthen the plates was one issue, and so was concerns about the 18 pound weight of the new armor (about 1 pound heavier) and its effects on overall combat performance in Iraq’s 100+ degree heat. Previous military studies had highlighted body armor weight and bulk as an issue, but in the end protective performance apparently won out. The U.S. military’s plan is to eventually replace most of their 2MM-2.5MM SAPI plates with […]