Military.com: Army Taking Dragon Skin to Hill

Most of us are familiar with the latest controversy regarding the BodyArmor the military currently issues to our troops, and the rejection to useanother available vest that may be "better" called DragonSkin. MSNBC did an investigativestory on this controversy, and in this interview the developer of thevest  (Ret. Marine Lt. Colonel Jim Magee) currently being used said "DragonSkin is the best out there, hands down. It's better than the Interceptor. It isstate of the art. In some cases, it’s two steps ahead of anything I’ve everseen."

Magee, who has no financial stake whatsoever in Dragon Skin, told us, “Ifyou would ask me today, ‘Jim we’re sending you to Iraq tomorrow. What wouldyou wear?’ I would buy Dragon Skin and I would wear it.”

I don't know why it took so long for this issue to make its way to the Hill,but wouldn't we love to know?

"Since the report, we have gotten a flurry of interest" fromCapitol Hill, Brown said at a May 21 Pentagon briefing. "We're planning ongoing over to the Hill ... for discussions with key members."

Military.comis reporting the Army is planning "another" test to make anattempt to clear their name. I hope they have cameras and a few honest witnessesthere.

The Army plans to brief Congressabout test failures of Dragon Skin body armor after recent news reports toutingthe vest's capabilities prompted calls from lawmakers for an officialexplanation.

The service's top soldier equipment buyer, Brig. Gen. Mark Brown, said heplans to meet with lawmakers and staff this week after NBC News broadcast aninvestigative report Sunday claiming Dragon Skin - which uses a series ofinterlocking ceramic disks to stop armor-piercing bullets - outperformed armorcurrently issued by the Army.

Thetesting is quite convincing (until you get to the biased militarytesting). You can contact your public officials Hereabout this issue, I expect a fair test and a QUICK one!

Army officials saythey want to field a system similar to Dragon Skin, whose interlocking ceramicdisks provide more protective coverage and more flexibility thancurrently-issued armor. But at nearly 20-pounds heavier than the Army's vest,Dragon Skin technology isn't there yet.

I think the military ismaking the "20-pounds heavier" part up. According to the specsheet, its a total weight of  17.2 pounds.

The SOV-3000â„¢ Level IV,with our large standard tactical front and back panel configuration weighsapproximately 17.2 lbs. and varies depending on the level of coverage needed.The SOV-3000â„¢ is manufactured with a ceramic composite.

Videosof the testing can be found here.From the information I have read and videos I watched, Dragon Skin looks prettygood.

History Channel's 'Mail Call' (More videos here)

Comments

[granny]

This is a really good story, Tony. Thumbs up for keeping it going.

[Tony]

this is the type of story that needs to be "on top" always. supporting the troops doesn't stop at "here are some more bullets".

if the military determines the dragon skin isn't "up to snuff", our congressman BETTER follow up on that, and it better not be a 2 year, 2 new committee, bureaucratic cluster 'bang'.

[Zach]

we should be using the best of the best for our troops and the dragon skin armor is the best of the best hands down