Virginia Students Seek To Improve Body Armor

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Virginia Students Seek To Improve Body Armor

By David A. Maurer - The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.)
Posted : Sunday Mar 1, 2009 15:20:36 EST

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The most stalwart medieval knight probably griped about the crippling weight of his shining armor. The metal’s inflexibility left plenty to complain about as well. And there was its nasty tendency of allowing sharp edges and pointy-tipped projectiles through cracks and creases.

Things haven’t changed much. The nation’s combat forces continue to deal with these same shortcomings, despite tremendous advancements in modern body armor.

Army Sgt. Jeff O’Dell saw vivid examples of body armor saving American lives during his deployment in Iraq. The University of Virginia second-year student also knows how Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts can restrict movement and fail to stop multiple bullets. The four bulky ceramic plates now in use in protective vests used by American forces are also heavy, bringing the weight of a vest to nearly 30 pounds.

“I was deployed in Iraq as a fire support specialist from August 2005 to December 2006,” said O’Dell, who is serving in the National Guard while attending the university. “Our armor vest had single ceramic plates in the front, back and on each side.

“The vest has saved the lives of some of my buddies, but having worn it a lot I know it can be improved upon. It’s too heavy, it doesn’t stop multiple rounds and it doesn’t flex,” O’Dell said.

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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_uva_body_armor_030109/