Interceptor Body Armor
The Interceptor Body Armor ( IBA ) is a protective vest used by the American armed forces. It replaced the PASGT (Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops) system in 1999 and has been standard equipment for all soldiers in the US Army and the US Marine Corps (USMC) in combat areas since 2001 .
The early versions consisted of a fragmentation vest (Outer Tactical Vest, OTV: 3.4 kg) and two SAPI (Small Arms Protective Inserts: 3.6 kg) plates with protection class IV. The early versions were with a modular larynx and groin protection fitted. However, this protection was extended during use. Forensic studies showed that injuries from shrapnel to the upper arm were a common cause of death. In addition, a threat analysis revealed that snipers and snipers increasingly used the flanks as a large and unprotected target due to the ballistic protection for the chest and back. The SAPI plates also turned out to be z. Sometimes as problematic, because there were incidents in which snipers could penetrate them with large-caliber, armor-piercing ammunition. For this reason, further modular protection packages were introduced between 2004 and 2006, which can be applied depending on the threat situation and operational requirements.
These include:
- Side ceramic plates (Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts, ESBI: 3.1 kg). They replaced the improvised inserts in the form of old, small SAPI plates.
- Upper and forearm protectors made of Kevlar (Deltoid and Axillary Protector, DAP: 2.3 kg)
- Reinforced ESAPI plates (Enhanced SAPI: 4.9 kg), the protection of which goes beyond that of protection class IV. You are able to withstand multiple hits from SK4 and SK3. However, their exact performances are classified. They have been the standard panels for all IBA vests since 2006.
Since these extended protective measures increased the weight of the system by more than 6 kg, the burden of the OTV was even greater due to the lack of comfort. Due to the long periods of use, the one-sided weight distribution led to back pain and various diseases in the shoulder area. For this reason, the USMC and the US Army developed their own improved protective vests:
From 2007 the USMC is equipping its relocated units with a new protective vest, the MTV (Modular Tactical Vest), which uses the same ballistic components but has a new vest body with better weight distribution. The additional ESBI plates are integrated from the start. However, it weighs approx. 0.5 kg more than the current OTV.
The US Army has announced that it will replace the OTV with the new IOTV (improved outer tactical vest). This is supposed to distribute the weight better thanks to a waist belt and weighs approx. 1.5 kg less than the current OTV. It should be significantly more comfortable to wear and protect a larger area of the body from shrapnel. The ESBI plates are also directly integrated here. It will be delivered in the US Army's new UCP (Universal Camouflage Pattern) and is to replace the OTV for all units in combat by December 2007.
Effects
The introduction of body armor with a protection class adapted to the threat situation led to a sharp decline in American casualties. A study by the UK Department of Defense found that trunk injuries in American units equipped with Interceptor or Spear vests have decreased by 50 to 90%. The total number of those who fell fell by 20 to 30%. For this reason, the British Army introduced a similar protective vest, the Osprey ICBA (improved combat body armor).