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U.S.Army Body Armor Using DARPA Technology
Soldiers in Iraq are benefiting from DARPA investments in advanced materials in the 1990s.
DARPA developed and demonstrated personal body armor inserts made of boron carbide.
These boron carbide inserts are lighter weight than the previous materials, and are being used in the Army Interceptor Body Armor system in Iraq,
which weighs 35 percent less than the former vest.
The new system consists of a tactical vest and two protective boron carbide inserts.
Worn alone, the vest protects the soldier from shrapnel and 9mm pistol rounds.
By adding the protective inserts to the vest, the system acts as a ballistic barrier to 7.62 rifle ammunition.
The Interceptor Body Armor system protects soldiers against rifle projectiles and shrapnel from mines, grenades, mortar shells and artillery fire.