Why doesn't the U.S. Military use full body armor?

[CoolTech]

I would think this would decrease casualties by a whole lot, after seeing that movie blackhawk down, bulletproof helmets, gloves, leg guards, etc. would have helped out a lot. And those gunners on the hum-v's why didnt they have some kind of shielding all around them, except for the part where the gun sticks out and the gunner can see. I've seen WW2 movies with something like that, and a conflict in the 90's didnt have it. Quite baffling.

 

[Balt]

Weight and mobility.

 

[pulse8]

Because as far as I know, the full kevlar get-up they currently wear weighs about 90-100 pounds just by itself. Then add all their other gear and a gun and it gets pretty heavy. Having full body armor would be VERY heavy and not very efficient.

It's like saying, "Why don't we just launch them into the front lines in a bulletproof bubble?"

Sure, they won't die, but they won't be able to do much else either.

 

[ravanux]

it would be kinda hot too!

 

[Beau]

There is no such thing as a bullet-proof vest. Bullet resistant vests do exists, but won't stop anything other than a handgun. It would be pointless to send them out with more weight when most of the firearms used are rifles and would go through it anyway.

 

[Aceman]

Ever tried to work with ANY of that crap on? The helmet gives you a headache and is a constant PIA when you're trying to shoot. The LBE webbing is even worse! (But much better than the old belt, ammo pouches, and suspenders.) The flak jacket is alreight but heavy and does restrict your mobility. I am thankful for this gear when needed to do my job, but there willbe no tear in my eyes when I turn this gear in for the last time before retirement.

 

[Hammer]

Balt hit it right on the head, weight and mobility. It was supposed to be a fast daylight raid lasting about 30 minutes. Thats why Delta and even some Rangers were not wearing K-Pots, but lighter less protective helmets. Also, most had decided to remove the ceramic plates in their vests. Not a good idea against the AKs 7.62mm round.

 

[Beau]

<< Ever tried to work with ANY of that crap on? The helmet gives you a headache and is a constant PIA when you're trying to shoot. The LBE webbing is even worse! (But much better than the old belt, ammo pouches, and suspenders.) The flak jacket is alreight but heavy and does restrict your mobility. I am thankful for this gear when needed to do my job, but there willbe no tear in my eyes when I turn this gear in for the last time before retirement. >>



We sell some body armor that is not very restrictive at all, definitely not like the flak vests. Check them out!

 

[CoolTech]

exactly how much do they restrict mobility, if i had to choose between being hot, and carrying around heavy crap, or losing my life, i would do the carrying/being hot anyday.

 

[Beau]

<< exactly how much do they restrict mobility, if i had to choose between being hot, and carrying around heavy crap, or losing my life, i would do the carrying/being hot anyday. >>



Like I said, the only bullet they'll stop is one fired from a hand gun. They won't stop rifle fire, which is the most common in warfare (AK-XX, M-16, SIG's)

 

[CoolTech]

ah

 

[Hammer]

Hindsight is great, ain't it?



<< exactly how much do they restrict mobility, if i had to choose between being hot, and carrying around heavy crap, or losing my life, i would do the carrying/being hot anyday. >>

 

[Aceman]

<< exactly how much do they restrict mobility, if i had to choose between being hot, and carrying around heavy crap, or losing my life, i would do the carrying/being hot anyday. >>



I'd rather risk a bullet coming at me and being able to dive for cover over that crap and it can get so damn hot that you'll risk a heat injury. Less is better. (Of course this is coming from someone raised in the light infantry)

 

[burnedout]

but there willbe no tear in my eyes when I turn this gear in for the last time before retirement.

Heh. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. No tear from here either while at CIF.

K-pots were OK. Took a while to get used to. Not as "handy" as the old steel pot though.

 

[Tauren]

Another thing to consider is that most of the time these guys need to get in and out very quickly. With all the added weight, it may hinder their mobility. (Just a thought)

 

[StageLeft]

<< exactly how much do they restrict mobility, if i had to choose between being hot, and carrying around heavy crap, or losing my life, i would do the carrying/being hot anyday. >>

So lets say you're in some middle eastern country for two years. The chances of you dying are actually pretty darn small. Would you rather take:

1) Very small chance of dying with little armor on or
2) Even smaller chance of dying (could still happen) but you have to carry around 50+ lbs of crap on your back ALL day in the scorching heat while doing heavy labor and training?

 

[Beau]

<< 2) Even smaller chance of dying (could still happen) but you have to carry around 50+ lbs of crap on your back ALL day in the scorching heat while doing heavy labor and training? >>



Don't forget about the dangers of heat stroke with that though...

 

[StageLeft]

<<

<< 2) Even smaller chance of dying (could still happen) but you have to carry around 50+ lbs of crap on your back ALL day in the scorching heat while doing heavy labor and training? >>



Don't forget about the dangers of heat stroke with that though... >>

True. I think I'd put it on the first day and then after realizing that my life is a living hell and hardly worth living for with all this crap on me under the scorching sun I'd just take my odds with the bullets.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Even in a Blackhawk Down scenario, imagine if the men who had to run out of the city on foot had been wearing 80 pounds of protective clothing - they would be worn out after about 1/4 mile, and overrun by Somalis within the first 100 yards. Speed and stealth are paramount assets on the ground, and effective flak protection is bulky and heavy.

 

[Aquaman]

Also.......... they would be like Imperial Stormtroops.............. sure to be killed

Cheers,
Aquaman

 

[Lalakai]

beyond the sheer weight on the individual, consider response time, mobility, and visual impacts (how civilians would view a fully armoured soldier). You could go to the extreme of the protective covering that bomb disposal units use but view those same garments in a rapid pace fire-fight where cover/concealment/mobility are at a premium. Getting right down to the moral of the troop using the gear, not many will opt for the added weight, encumberance and heat of full body armour. Operating a weapon while in a vehicle, when you are not providing your own movement might be a situation that full armour would apply, but running and moving in that stuff ain't fun!

 

[AFSOC_Commando]

Beau6183


<< There is no such thing as a bullet-proof vest. Bullet resistant vests do exists, but won't stop anything other than a handgun. It would be pointless to send them out with more weight when most of the firearms used are rifles and would go through it anyway. >>



You are wrong sir... I was in Spec Ops for years... My body armour (The same as the D boys) could stop a 7.62 Rifle round from 25 from yards!!!

Take a look here, this is similar to what I used for years

A flaq vest is not Body Armour... The Spec folks Rangers, the Seals, AF Combat Controllers, and Delta all wore Body Armour

The other major problem is Body Armour wears out over time and is very expensive, Mine was over $1450 with dual plates for one person

Now, that vest weighed almost 30 pounds... the protection was only to the vitals, heart, lungs, major spine....

with that body armour, my assault vest with full combat load, and K-pot was about 60 pounds....

The Hummers in that mission had Kevlar doors but that was all. The newest Spec hummers are modified with Kevlar plates down the sides, better suspension and more power than a conventional hummer...


hammer09
D normally doesn't wear K-pots, the only guys with K pots on that mission were the Rangers. the Seals, AF Combat Controllers, and Delta boys were wearing the issue Pro-Tec Hockey helmet....

And the damn gear is hot, worse is the guys didn't take water for that hit and git mission... The D guys were probably wearing only 1 plate in there vests...

 

[kulki]

very interesting reading guys. Yeah I agree even though at first thought it makes sense to wear full body armor. Now I agree that its best not to wear it in order to increase ur stealth and speed. I guess we will have to wait until the day there is apersonal force field like they show in sci-fi movies

 

[Beau]

Okay, let me revise my statement: Any feesable amount of body armor will not stop rifle ammo. Those plates weigh anywhere form 5.5 lbs to 15 lbs. Times that by 2 (front and back) and you've just tacked on 30 lbs of armor, which is not acceptable. Also, the did not mention anything about blunt force trauma. You may be able to stop the bullet, but not the inertia. You will most like suffer from severe internal bleeding if shot by a rifle. Also, it will only stop up to 6 rounds before the plate is weakend to the point that it is useless.

 

[SiLEighTy]

<< Weight and mobility. >>