![]() ![]() A grab handle on the rear of the vest allows an injured wearer to be dragged behind cover by their comrades. The vest has Pouch Attachment Ladder System-type webbing loops stitched to the outside to act as attachment points for compatible pouches and accessories, removing the need to wear a webbing harness or assault vest over the armour (though a "Load Carrying Tactical Vest" was issued with early iterations of the armour). The Osprey system is modular and built around two vest halves which, when assembled, cover the wearer's torso. The body armour system is designed and manufactured by CQC Ltd, a long-standing UK-based manufacturer that has provided various items for the Ministry of Defence, with some additional batches produced by Solo International Ltd. The wrap around fasteners clearly visible on the rear half (left) were introduced on the Mk 2 covers and help provide the wearer with a more secure and comfortable fit. It has subsequently been subject to modification, with a fourth version being issued to personnel serving in Afghanistan on Operation Herrick in 2010. A later version known as Enhanced Combat Body Armour was developed in 1991 and allowed for the soft body armour to be augmented with ceramic hard armour plates for improved ballistic protection, but the small size of these plates meant that only the upper torso was protected.įollowing lessons identified in Iraq by both British and US forces the Osprey armour system was released in 2006 for general use. ![]() ![]() A vest known as Combat Body Armour was introduced for general issue outside of Northern Ireland in the 1980s, but consisted purely of soft body armour since the focus was on preventing injury from fragments generated by explosive blasts. A soldier from 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, wearing Enhanced Combat Body Armour during Operation Telicīritish forces first began using body armour on a widespread basis when combatting terrorist activities in Northern Ireland during Operation Banner, with this initially consisting of M52 and M69 flak vests and then the Individual Northern Ireland Body Armour vest which could be worn under the combat jacket. ![]()
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