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Defense Review

More 'Latest and Greatest' Tactical Goodies from the Show

defensereview.com, Jan. 20, 2007 — By now, everyone knows the the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) recently awarded Protective Products International (PPI) with the Modular Tactical Vest (MTV) contract. Basically, the MTV was designed and developed to solve at least some of the shortcomings (a.k.a. problems or flaws) of the U.S. Army's beloved Interceptor Body Armor--you know, the problematic and controversial infantry body armor program that U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center (Natick) / Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center and PEO Soldier (Program Executive Office Soldier) have been fighting tooth-and-nail to keep going instead of going with something truly superior (and revolutionary a.k.a. "next step") like Pinnacle Armor Dragon Skin SOV body armor. U.S. Army Natick and PEO Soldier have been like a (really stubborn) dog with a bone they just don't want to let go of, over there (with regard to the Interceptor program). They just don't want to give up and admit defeat.

Anyway, DefenseReview got to view and fondle the MTV at PPI's booth, and we must say that...

the PPI / USMC Modular Tactical Vest (MTV) looked pretty solid, despite the fact that it will most likely utilize the same conventional (and fragile) mil-spec SAPI and ESAPI ballistic armor plate tech (a.k.a. ceramic hard armor plate tech) as Interceptor (unconfirmed/unverified), which the warfighter must handle with care (and not drop or treat too roughly). That said, everything on the MTV looked to be pretty well conceived and executed, including the way it's configured, the way it goes on and off, the quick-release mechanism, increased side protection, etc.

The MTV is a two-point cut-away system. It features routing channels for two-way comms (two-way communication wiring/gear), enhanced side protection (that's fully integrated), and increased MOLLE atachment points. It's claimed that the MTV's weight is distributed more evenly/uniformly than the Interceptor Body Armor System. Lower back protection is also integrated into the system, and can be tucked away when not required. The MTV comes with a removable ballistic collar (soft armor) that's 50% smaller than the older collars.

Anyway, just from what we've seen so far, it's gotta' be better than Interceptor. Hopefully, the Interceptor program won't survive too much longer.

Protective Products International (PPI) also displayed their tactical body armor for law enforcement SWAT applications. The specific vest/system DefRev photographed is the PPI "Operator" tactical vest (a.k.a. tac vest).

Defense Review took numerous photos of both the MTV and Operator ballistic vests, and we'll be publishing a number of them in a follow-up piece very soon.