Army defends choice of unproven plate carrier

[unhappycamper]

The KDH Plate Carrier with all protective inserts in place.



Posted : Monday Dec 21, 2009 14:27:52 EST

The Army is trying to quell criticism of its decision to buy an unproven plate carrier for soldiers in Afghanistan rather than the combat-tested model special operations forces wear today.

Soldiers have been questioning why equipment officials chose KDH Defense Systems to make the Army’s new plate carrier.

Launched in May, the plate carrier effort came as the Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group and other Army commands searched to find ways to reduce the 130-pound loads soldiers shoulder in the mountains of Afghanistan.

The most vocal critic so far has been Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Miller, who asked Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston to look into the issue, Miller wrote in a Nov. 5 Internet forum post on www.lightfighter.net.

Miller questioned why the source selection board in charge of choosing a new plate carrier tapped KDH after soldiers who participated in a “soldier protection demonstration” at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., told Army officials they preferred the Eagle Industries’ Modular Body Armor Vest, “a proven system” that is issued to the 75th Ranger Regiment.