Bullet Proof Vests....

[DK666]

I heard a story on my way to work this morning that the standard issue BP vests will not stop a 7.62 from an AK-47 and that the military ordered 30 million $ worth of vests that will stop a 7.62 round but so far only 300,000 worth of vests have been delivered. What I want to know is who ordered the original vests that COULD NOT stop a 7.62 round (the most popular ammunition in the world). Can anyone point me to a source....


TIA

[Bandit]

1. I think they were referred to as Flak Jackets not Bullet Proof Vests

Much more injury from shrapnel and assorted Flak than from actual bullets. Also much lighter than a bullet proof vest. In over a hundred degree conditions weight is a major factor.

[DK666]

2. I think

your probally right. Didnt work in nam and it dosent work here.

[Bandit]

4. I beg to differ

Flak Vests were very efficient. Many many people are alive and well today because of those vests. When a rocket hits it sends up a lot of debris. Rocks, dirt, and sticks, besides the metal from the rocket. Many GIs were protected from this debris. Me being a prime example.

[DK666]

5. How do they

work for a 7.62 round ?

[leanings]

3. Vests

that will stop an AK round yet are light and flexible enough to wear daily are a fairly recent inovation. They weren't really practical as recently as ten years ago; I think the vests Task Force Ranger wore in Somalia would stop an AK round but weighed upwards of 25 pounds. Flack vests were originally designed to stop shrapnel from artillery, which has traditionally been responsible for up to 80% of combat casualties.

The new vests, the Interceptors, are expensive ($1800+) and difficult to manufacture but are light and stop a 7.62x39.