Load-bearing body armor

The scope of this writing probably cannot include body armor research and still focus on load-bearing development.

As this article is in its early stage, and since most of the material is being presented by a single writing, there is no reason not to present it in the first person.

Pack design

Frame pack

• Hip belt transfers the weight to the front
• Frame transfers the weight downwards to the hip belt
• Straps hold the frame to the back

Advantages

• Weight is transferred to where it is best supported
• Frame acts as a column to support weight
• Pack can extend upwards
• Straps or mesh allows air circulation

Rucksack

• Weight pulls downwards from the straps

Advantages

• Low center of gravity
• Easy to organize

Tube pack

• Bag is tube-shaped, or "D-shaped"
• Structure is from a foam sleeping pad the circumference of the bag
• Weight is divided between straps and belt

Layers

Short (inner layer)

• Weapon
• Annunciation
• Water
• Short rations
• First aid
• Radio communication

Long (outer layer)

• Supplies
• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• long rations
• medical supplies

Background Material

Note: all the material below is temporarily quoted from various websites under fair use and stands as unverified reference material only. The Interceptor page is from the Wikipedia.

Webs

Anyone who has high or low-crawled with a loosely fitted web belt (even when attached to a harness) can validate that web belt attachments automatically head for the groin area [1]

Armor plates

7.62mm proof ceramic plates [2]

Choices

RACK or Blackhawk/Tactical Tailor/etc clones thereof, which is basically a MOLLE compatible version of British assault chest rigs and, in turn, a derivative of the venerable Warsaw Pact/3rd World AK chest harness "apron." [3]

I find ALICE more comfortable than MOLLE and PAL vests. I'm a pretty short guy so vest never fitted me right. [4]

Load Bearing Equipment

Belt

It consists of a belt (usually a stiff pistol belt), and a set of suspenders. Pouches are then connected to the belt, and the rest of your gear is then stored in those pouches.

The Load Bearing Vest

The second level, is really meant as a replacement for the LBE. The advantages are that it usually has more pockets on the front of the vest to store items, and also still has the belt to which pouches can be affixed. The problem is that in hot climates, the vest can be uncomfortable - not to mention make you look like someone who wants to play "tacti-cool" airsoft. It may also make it hard to lay in a prone position if your pockets are stuffed full. But, barring the bad stuff, the LBV is very good at carrying gear.

Rucksack

The third level, the rucksack - is your main backpack. There are many types available, but for those who want to enjoy the wilderness on a tight budget, I would recommend the military ALICE pack. It is fairly inexpensive and is nearly indestructible. The ruck should be able to be worn comfortably over either an LBE or an LBV. Just a tip, if you do purchase an alice pack, be sure to add some extra padding to to the shoulders and kidney area, you will thank me later. http://ohiovalleyoutfitters.com/wordpress/?p=96

Interceptor body armor

Due to the increased dangers of improvised explosive devices, a newer versions of the vital plates and components have been developed. the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPIs) and Enhance Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBIs) have become available, along with the Deltoid and Axillary Protectors (DAPs). These new systems are becoming the standard for forward deployed troops in OEF and OIF. The E-SAPI plates are thicker and heavier than the normal SAPIs, but they offer increased protection from 7.62mm M2 armor piercing ammunition. The ESBIs is an attachable MOLLE ballistic pannel with a pouch for a 8x6 side-SAPI, for protection of the side of the torso/under the arm. DAPs consists of two ambidextrous modular components, the Deltoid (upper arm) Protector and the Axillary (under arm) Protector, and provide for additional protection from fragmentary and projectiles to the upper arm and underarm areas. With the Interceptor body armor, E-SAPI plates (10.9 lb), ESBIs (7.75 lb), DAPs (5.03 lb) and with the neck, throat and groin protectors installed the armor is significantly heavier at 33.11 pounds (15.01 kg) A combat load of ammunition and first aid kit are almost universally attached to the webbing on the vest, adding even more mass.

lightly-equipped insurgents with U.S. troops routinely burdened with upwards of 60 lbs. of weapons, ammunition, armor, food, water, and other assorted equipment. Many troops have complained that under such conditions, they are simply unable to pursue their guerrilla opponents. Troops who primarily ride in vehicles generally want the highest practical level of protection from IED's and ambushes, while dismounted infantry often make the case that impaired mobility can prove just as fatal to them as inadequate armor.