Osprey body armour
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Osprey body armour is a system of body armour used by the British Military
On general issue to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan since mid-2006, the Osprey body armour system offers greatly improved protection to personnel over the previous issue CBA. The armour system is modular, consisting of a vest which covers the torso, upper arm protectors, and collar pieces which are issued in two sizes. Every piece of the system contains a soft armour insert to protect from fragmentation. In total there are 22 pieces issued, including soft armour inserts and covers as separate items.
The vest consists of a front and rear soft armour panel, which join with the aid of hook & loop fasteners and press studs at the shoulders and waist sides. On both the front and rear panel cover there is a zip-fastened section in which the trauma plates are contained. Front and rear plates are different sizes, with the rear plate covering slightly more area than the front. The plates are roughly an inch (25mm) thick, and have a rubber edge strip to protect the material being compromised from side impacts through everyday use.
Over the front and rear of the vest there are rows of webbing stitched on in the same fashion as the US Pouch Attachment Ladder System, so similar that MOLLE pouches fit Osprey body armour.
The collar and arm protectors were designed in response to the roadside IED threat in Iraq primarily, and are placed on the vest to offer the best protection possible to the operators face and neck, and exposed upper arm. Unlike the US armour system, the arm protectors are 2 piece affairs, with a large 'wing' that wraps round the shoulder and upper arm, and a separate piece which covers the join between the arm protector and the vest itself. This covers the gap which opens between the arm and vest armour when the wearer stretches forwards.
Clips on the vest are available for the fitting of a British type Camelbak or Bergen side pouch on the rear, and a respirator haversack on the bottom left.
The armour system is not currently issued to personnel in the UK, and are retained in theatre.
[edit] Criticism
Although vastly superior in protection to the previous issue CBA, Osprey has been criticised by Royal Marines serving in Afghanistan who have been quoted in the British tabloid press as "throwing the plates away" in combat as they were deemed to be too restrictive to free movement. The plates are also heavy, much heavier in comparison with other similar systems such as the American Interceptor body armor resulting in some medical problems and shoulder fatigue on long patrols.
The quality and manufacturing standard of the vest covers, and the webbing attachment points in particular, are also questionable, and it is not uncommon for pouches to come loose or even fall off due to the stitching coming undone, press studs to be ripped out, and velcro waist fasteners to become detached as the seams tear through normal use. Several sets of armour have been seen in the media with cable ties holding parts together and rows of webbing attachment points missing or hanging off. Elasticated straps which attach the arm protectors are easily torn and lose their elasticity in the heat of Iraq in particular, and the clips for attaching the respirator haversack are ideally placed to be stood on and broken when the vest is not being worn.
The design of the ammunition pouches and first aid pouch issued with the vest to combat troops has been unfavourably reviewed by troops in theatre. The ammunition pouches have very short attachment loops, which allow the pouch and contents to flap around and roll, creating stress on the vest, damaging the contents, making a noise and being a nuisance to the operator. Also, while two ammunition pouches are issued, this is not sufficient to carry the standard infantry load of six magazines as the pouch lid will not readily close with three magazines inserted, and pops open easily.
US MOLLE pouches, and civilian designed pouches are commonly seen on Osprey vests as they provide a more secure attachment to the vest, although none of these designs are official issue to UK forces.
Many of these issues have been addressed in version 2 of the Osprey Cover. Version 3 is in the final stages of development. Additionally the pouches issued with the new British Forces Combat Assault vest are designed to fit Osprey covers. These incorporate user feedback from operations.
