Plate Carrier Trials???

[Wiggles]

Anyone have any info on the current plate carrier Trials that seem to be on going 😊😊😊

IMG-20181201-WA0008.jpg

IMG-20181201-WA0009.jpg

[DeV]

Correct me if I’m wrong but plate carriers don’t have side armour?

[Wiggles]

Pretty sure some do and some don't? Depends on the design? Then again I'm not 100% certain of my terminology.

Would be a welcome upgrade from the flacker bv combo 👍

[apod]

Anyone have any info on the current plate carrier Trials that seem to be on going 😊😊😊

IMG-20181201-WA0008.jpg

IMG-20181201-WA0009.jpg

Yeah. There's a trial.And it's going on.
Seriously though. The current GSBA is coming to the end of it's service life and a new scalable body armour has been recommended. It is NOT a plate carrier. Plate carriers provide zero protection from Frag. Only rounds. We need protection from both.Thats why soft armour(kevlar/aramid) will remain part of the ensemble.

[Wiggles]

So what do we call it? I've always just referred to any modular tactical vest that held plates as a plate carrier 😂 I mean isn't the point that you can can set them up how you like (are told) soft armour only, plates only, both? 🤷🤷🤷

Also, do you reckon this will be combat arm only issue?

[apod]

So what do we call it? I've always just referred to any modular tactical vest that held plates as a plate carrier 😂 I mean isn't the point that you can can set them up how you like (are told) soft armour only, plates only, both? 🤷🤷🤷

Also, do you reckon this will be combat arm only issue?

IMBAS is going to be the offiical term. Integrated Modular Body Armour System. To clarify. A plate carrier only holds plates.No soft armour.You can't add soft armour to it. Only plates. The new system will have both.

BTW. Check PM's.

[apod]

This link might help to clarify.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmplHBriG38&t=200s

[na grohmiti]

My understanding (and I am open to correction) is that the plate carrier is more useful to those in exposed positions who do not require mobility, such as turret operators of afvs, crew of recce vehicles, military helicopters etc.

[apod]

My understanding (and I am open to correction) is that the plate carrier is more useful to those in exposed positions who do not require mobility, such as turret operators of afvs, crew of recce vehicles, military helicopters etc.

Yes.And no.
AFV crews may still need soft armour depending on the threat level and spall protection provided by their vehicle.
Infantry may use just a plate carrier or downscale their modular system if the main threat is HV rounds and when the wearing of full up protection is impractical.
A good example would be the troops operating in the steep mountains of the Korengal valley in Afghanistan(main threat HV) as opposed to the valley floors and the desert tracks of Helmand(Main threat IED's AND HV).

[Exile]

having a look at the plate carriers, you attach the removable pouches to the carrier directly and dont use the gs vest anymore?
Also it seems to have less coverage over the shoulders and under the arms but its probably a weight and speed tradeoff?

[DeV]

having a look at the plate carriers, you attach the removable pouches to the carrier directly and dont use the gs vest anymore?
Also it seems to have less coverage over the shoulders and under the arms but its probably a weight and speed tradeoff?

Correct as you always wear body armour

More supportive of weapon

[Laners]

Jasus , I thought a plate carrier was a mess steward .

[X-RayOne]

From the two photos.....am I right in saying 5 types on trial??

A couple look fairly bulky just as is, minus pouches, and possibly plates? Would there be much added mobility, weight savings over current set up...?

The two options in multicam pattern look neatest.

[apod]

From the two photos.....am I right in saying 5 types on trial??

A couple look fairly bulky just as is, minus pouches, and possibly plates? Would there be much added mobility, weight savings over current set up...?

The two options in multicam pattern look neatest.

Looks like it.

Two options from Safariland. One Aussie TBAS(Please ,please,please ,god let us get this one) an Offering from First Spear and an unknown.

As for bulk I guess that's all relative.Bulkier than the current offering with fixed neck protection and groin panel and the BV over the top?

[X-RayOne]

It's a good opportunity to significantly lighten a fixed load troops have to carry and get the benefits of increased speed, agility and reduced weight stress.
If these factors aren't the main considerations (take that sufficient ballistic protection is a given) somebody has taken eye off the ball.
as to your point about current kit, yes absolutely must be lighter, slimmer than it. How much more is the key thing to maximize.

[apod]

It's a good opportunity to significantly lighten a fixed load troops have to carry and get the benefits of increased speed, agility and reduced weight stress.
If these factors aren't the main considerations (take that sufficient ballistic protection is a given) somebody has taken eye off the ball.
as to your point about current kit, yes absolutely must be lighter, slimmer than it. How much more is the key thing to maximize.

Have you read the review group report?

[X-RayOne]

Nope. But enlighten us with the bullet point recommendations please.

[apod]

1/ Single colour.To future proof against uniform pattern changes
2/ Laser cut MOLLE
3/ Scalable
4/ Single variant.Females to be accommodated with greater size range.
5/ Soft armour and plates
6/ Suite of pouches.

There are a few other recommendations but they are not for discussion on the open forum.

[Bam Bam]

1/ Single colour.To future proof against uniform pattern changes
2/ Laser cut MOLLE
3/ Scalable
4/ Single variant.Females to be accommodated with greater size range.
5/ Soft armour and plates
6/ Suite of pouches.

There are a few other recommendations but they are not for discussion on the open forum.

Single colour, guessing olive green, will be interesting in desert environments

[ropebag]

Single colour, guessing olive green, will be interesting in desert environments

Actually, it should be fine - firstly because most arid environments aren't nearly as light in tone as people think, and secondly because as soon as it gets a coating of dust, anything olive green just merges into the background.

I was in Northern Iraq - Kurdistan - several times this year and MTP was fine, my green daysack was moderately dirty and it didn't stick out at all. Lots of people
around Erbil were in variants of the old US Woodland pattern and with just a day's worth of dust on them they didn't look out of place at all.

As long as it's not too dark, dull, a bit dusty/dirty and IRR it will be fine.

[apod]

Single colour, guessing olive green, will be interesting in desert environments

Probably not Olive green. Probably sage green or grey green maybe even some version of khaki or coyote tan. Either way it will be optimised to work with what we have now and a possible new pattern in the future.

[BorderBandit]

Second one or fourth one looks best to me. Light enough for comfort but still look very solid. My only gripe with number 4 is the laser cut MOLLE. Don't know if anyone else has used it but I personally don't like it. Think it's too awkward to sinch MOLLE into it. Hopefully these go through

[DeV]

Laser cut is what is wanted

[BorderBandit]

Laser cut is what is wanted

Is it for the lighter weight? or just an attempt to get ahead of the webbing curve? Also, looking at the photo of the armour in the room, I have to say I do like the look of the new smock apart from those UBAC style pockets being too low. What's the deal with the hoods? Removed altogether, zip outs or some other attachment system?

[X-RayOne]

Laser cut reduces fabric weight and bulk because less stitching, threads, etc. needed.

Smock hood looks like zip off by photo inside room. Good idea to be removable whichever way it works.