'Building the Plates'

The Work Behind Body Armor

Over the past decade, Interceptor body armor has come to represent a ubiquitous component of U.S. Army operations. The modular protective system consists of an outer vest, attachable components that increase area coverage and additional ballistic plates. While the improved outer tactical vest (IOTV) provides a level of inherent protection against some ballistic fragmente and 9 mm rounds, the additional plates are used to stop or slow larger fragments and bullets to further increase soldier survivabuity.

Examples of current generation ballistic plates include the enhanced small arms protective insert (ESAPI) plates worn inside the front and rear …