Modular Scalable Vest: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|US Military Body Armor}}

{{Infobox military gear

| name = Modular Scalable Vest

| image = InterceptorArmy bodyreturns armorlife-saving helmet to Soldier, unveils new protective gear (army.mil 545210).pngjpg

| image_size =

| caption = A Modular Scalable Vest on display at [[Fort Belvoir]] in 2019

| alt =

| origin = United States of America

| type = [[Bulletproof vest|Body armor]]

<!-- Service history -->

| service = 2018 - Present2018–present

| used_by = [[United States Army|U.S. Army]], [[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]

<!-- Production history -->

| designer = KDH Defence Systems

}}

The '''Modular Scalable Vest''' ('''MSV''') is a [[bullet-resistant vest]] that has been introduced by the [[United States Armed Forces]] in 2018.

The Modular Scalable Vest is replacing all other body armor systems in use, including the [[Interceptor multi-threat body armor system|OTV (outer tactical vest)]], [[Improved Outer Tactical Vest|IOTV (improved outer tactical vest)]] and [[Soldier Plate Carrier System|SPCS (soldier plate carrier system)]].<ref name="msv replace spcs/iotv">{{cite web |last1=Vazquez |first1=Daniel |title=The Missing Aspect of Soldier Lethality: Improved Armor Carriers in a Constrained Fiscal Environment by CPT Daniel Vazquez |url=https://soldiersystems.net/2020/04/11/the-missing-aspect-of-soldier-lethality-improved-armor-carriers-in-a-constrained-fiscal-environment-by-cpt-daniel-vazquez/ |website=Soldier Systems Daily |access-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915092025/https://soldiersystems.net/2020/04/11/the-missing-aspect-of-soldier-lethality-improved-armor-carriers-in-a-constrained-fiscal-environment-by-cpt-daniel-vazquez/ |archive-date=15 September 2021 |date=11 April 2020}}</ref> The MSV is {{convert|5|lb|abbr=on}} lighter when fully loaded with ballistic plates compared with its predecessor, the IOTV.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bodyarmornews.com/florida-soldiers-test-new-body-armor/|title=Florida Soldiers Test Army's New Body Armor|date=2017-11-06|website=bodyarmornews.com|access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref> The MSV fully loaded weighs {{convert|25|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/01/01/new-in-2018-army-to-issue-new-body-armor-to-soldiers/|title=New in 2018: Army to issue new body armor to soldiers|date=2017-01-01|website=armytimes.com|access-date=2018-06-28}}</ref>

The Modular Scalable Vest will replace the Improved Outer Tactical Vest, which debuted in 2008. The MSV is 5 pounds lighter when fully loaded with ballistic plates than its predecessor. The MSV fully loaded weighs 25 pounds.

==History==

The U.S. Air Force has begun to issue the MSV to replace the IOTV, with the goal of issuing it exclusively by the end of fiscal year 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Allyson B. Crawford, AFLCMC Public Affairs |title=Human Systems delivers better protection for warfighters in rapid time |url=https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/NEWS/Article-Display/Article/2789889/human-systems-delivers-better-protection-for-warfighters-in-rapid-time/ |date=15 October 2021 |access-date=2 May 2022 |website=Air Force Life Cycle Management Center}}</ref>

==Design==

The MSV has a four-tier configuration, allowing it to be scaled up or down depending on the threat and mission requirements

#Concealable soft body armor

#Hard armor plates and soft body armor

#Carrier with ballistic plates and soft armor

#Carrier with ballistic plates and soft armor as well as a "ballistic combat shirt" with "built in neck, shoulder and pelvic protection and a belt system to move items from the vest to the hips."<ref name="four tier description">{{cite web |last1=Pounds |first1=Lance |title=Fort Carson Soldiers field-test new body armor |url=https://www.army.mil/article/195992/fort_carson_soldiers_field_test_new_body_armor |website=US Army |access-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009175627/https://www.army.mil/article/195992/fort_carson_soldiers_field_test_new_body_armor |archive-date=9 October 2021 |date=26 October 2017}}</ref>

[[File:MSV Kit.jpg|thumb|A typical soldier's loadout on the MSV Gen II.]]

Only a few ballistic material suppliers have been able to comply with the armor panel weight specifications demanded by the US Military: Teijn Aramid, DSM Dyneema and Honeywell Spectra.

==References==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* https://peo360portfolio.com/product-details/product/147, MSV page | PEO Soldier's 360° portfolio

{{Types of armour}}{{US Army uniforms}}

[[Category:Plate carriers]]

[[Category:Military equipment of the United States]]

[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s]]