US Army developing body armor to protect against 'X-threats'
By Donald Melanson 
posted December 7th 2009 2:49PM
posted December 7th 2009 2:49PM
This one's unsurprisingly been in the works for a little while now, but it looks like the US Army is getting a bit closer to actually deploying a new type of body armor that it hopes will protect soldiers against both known threats and so-called "X-threats." While no one's saying exactly what those threats might be, the key to guarding against them, it seems, is an "advanced generation" of X-Sapi armor plating, which is apparently built from the same materials as current E-Sapi plates but built differently for "additional capabilities." That armor has been the subject of some criticism, however, since it actually adds some additional weight to the soldier's already heavy load, but Lt. Col. Jon Rickey of the Army's Soldier Protective Equipment program says there's still plenty of room for improvement in that respect. It's also, of course, still looking at plenty of other alternatives, including BAE's Ultra Lightweight Warrior program, which promises to cut the weight of helmets, vests and other equipment by twenty to thirty percent.
Heavy gear hampers troops in Afghanistan
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/washington/news.aspx?id=133013
It's going to be a fun day when Japan rolls out suit that looks just like the one in Crysis.
They are getting armor stronger than dragon scale, imagine the day when a solider doesn't even flinch when they see an AK47.
(although really they will be seeing it in their HUD through a wall so meh)
@(Unverified) I liked your post
@(Unverified) imagine the day when a solider doesn't even flinch when they see an AK47.
When that day comes, there will be many more things to fear than an AK47.
@(Unverified)
The only suits those guys are gonna have in the future are Mobile Suits. An army of Gundam ready to pwn enemies.
With Chinese Kirfs to follow shortly there after.........Those will break easily of course.
@MJGAMER 1991 XBL
"Japs"? u racist or something? U sure as hell sound like it. What makes u think they have cheap stuff? Although i don't know if they have as advanced tech as the US doesn't mean they r a third-world country. Keep saying that we might just go into World War III
@Indefinite Implosion
Oh brother!
@(Unverified) Fuck crysis suits, gundams are where its at.
@MJGAMER 1991 XBL
How about you cleanse yourself from all those horrid Jap things in your life.
Now hand over all of your technology.
And most "Japs" don't sell warranties because they're not f*cking vendors, they are manufacturers.
X-threats?
We better be ready for those aliens when they land.
Will it stop a boot to the head?
@(Unverified) That's what my M4 is for.
Smittie
X threats eh?
Metroid Fusion was the first thing to come to my mind
"It's also, of course, also still looking at plenty of other alter..."
Might want to fix that.
Awesome.
perhaps they are just using x as a variable that can represent any threat... maybe?
could this article possibly be any more vague?
all it's basically saying is that the us army is developing new and improved (tho' at this point slightly heavier) body armor
everything else is just filler to justify posting it at all
@mrqs
thats how the big e rolls, man, thats how they roll!!
How do you guard against unknown threats? Obviously, with unkown protections! Perfectly logical.
I read that North Korea is secretly developing Chemical X. I'm sure this is what the army is defending against. Then again I can't help but get all giddy inside at the thought of Asian Powerpuff soldier girls.
@Eternity
Asian hookers? Sexy (for the most part), + some form of martial arts in their blood + white man's yellow fever.
There's your Asian Powerpuff Girl.
"That armor has been the subject of some criticism, however, since it actually adds some additional weight to the soldier's already heavy load"
yeah, they add some weight, but not nearly as much as the old steel plates, and they're also pretty necessary. the jacket by itself, even with all that Kevlar, is only rated to stop handgun rounds, meaning without those plates you're in serious danger if you run into guys with AK-47's. those ceramic plates can stop just about anything below a .50 caliber rifle round (up to 7.62x51 mm NATO).
@maveric101
I think the primary threat faced is shrapnel and bits of their own car flying at high speed, and odd angles.
@Wwhat
yes that is the most thing to fear. you nailed it on the head.(not sarcastic) literally that go down to fourth and main and along the way diffuse hidden bombs and then go back to base. only the next day is the same damn thing only in different sections of the road.
@Wwhat oh i don't doubt that, i was just saying that the ceramic armor is quite necessary, and is relatively light for what it does.
They once quite a while ago had a breakdown of US deaths in iraq on the CNN site and a majority was (amazingly) guys driving their humvees into water and drowning, and driving off elevated roads, I kid you not.
So I guess when you hit the water those ceramic plates and heavy doors can be a bit unwelcome.
But afghanistan is somewhat different terrain I think, so perhaps there there's less chance of that, plus you have to trust that data the pentagon released was reliable, but still, weirdest thing, cliffs and water.
@Wwhat
"guys driving their humvees into water and drowning, and driving off elevated roads"
that is... unexpected. but i remember wikipedia saying that those vests have some sort of ripcord that basically makes the vest fall into pieces. it's original purpose was to allow medics fast access if they needed it. i guess it would be rather hard to find that ripcord when your humvee is sinking, though, not to mention all they have to carry.
if this ever makes it to 'market' the cheapest bidder will win a mega deal with the govt. to build the suits, steal most of the money and provide fake body armor. This will be revealed 5 years later and no one will care.
@Nicnac Remind me of the war quote:
"Always remember that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder"
Forgot who said it, but it's the truth.
@Nicnac
Cheapest bidder of patented material.. right.
@zero1221
Distinctly recall that line from that movie masterpiece "Remo Williams"
Oh great! I'm thrilled to know that this is how the budget cut off enforced upon academic institutions in NYS by Gov. Patterson is being used(or misused, should I say?) I'm sure students from other states are suffering from a similar problem.
I'm disappointed as an American, seriously...
@Hitman
You're disappointed that the soldiers are getting improved armour.
I can understand you being disappointed at your government for getting them into an unending war in the first place, but no. You're disappointed that now they are there, the government is trying to keep them alive.
Go you.
@Rebajas
US Defense is already strong enough to destroy the world 9 times. I was against war and I will remain adamant at my stance of opposing our government's needless spending on it.
Ever watched the movie 'Team America'? If you have, you have a fairly precise idea of what my views are about war and its consequences.
I don't know where you're from but come over to US and you'll see how much financial aid we've lost since wars in the past 6 years. I commend countries like Germany for providing their citizens top quality education for a tiny price of 200-600 Euros per year. American economy is going downhill at this, and spending on quality education should be our priority. If Germany can pull it off after the devastating effects of WW-II, a strong nation like America can easily, too.
Thanks for your comment.
Why not just combine the armor with something like HAL?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/11/cyberdyne-said-to-be-mass-producing-4-200-hal-robotic-suit/
Why Halo? One would think Metroid would make a much more related image.
http://metroid.wikia.com/wiki/X_Parasite
Aren't our soldiers pretty much the most important thing to us?
Because if we're under attack, the people who are gonna actually need all this protection, are the people who are fighting.
Of course, it's very unlikely that U.S. will be under attack.. anytime soon at least.
But I think that our soldiers should have more protection, more reliability, and more mobility.
They need to think of something from like a movie lol.
something that actually works against stopping bullets
I R CAN HAZ RECONZ?
"X-Threats"=
A)Aliens
B)Homo Superior
C)Chuck Norris
@01
D) Wolverine, the Weapon-X
@sarbian I think he's covered under "2"
@01 errr, "B", forgot how I was listing there
x-threats probably means granades and little mines on the roads. of course the U.S. army always could help the soldiers by buying them dragon skin...
X-threats... ten threats at a time?
Guys i think US army is just trolling...the picture of the armor looks like screenshot from HALO or something :((
@Wwhat the material might be patented but suits that are made out of it will be contracted to the cheapest bidder. Unless you think Dupont makes all Kevlar body armor products themselves...