US military police officers test new body armour vest

The US Army Military Police Corps’ Fort Leonard Wood police officers have tested latest Family of Concealable Body Armor (FoCBA) vests, which are aimed at offering improved ballistic and stab protection.

Developed by Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) within Program Executive Office Soldier, the new body armour comprises two types of vests that offer more protection and manoeuvrability.

Capability Development Integration Directorate, Requirements Determination Division program action officer Connie Respress, said that the FoCBA’s vests will be fielded to military police, DOD civilians, criminal investigation division (CID) agents and correctional soldiers.

"This is a much-needed capability that will give military police Soldiers and [Department of the Army] civilian’s top-of-the-line protection, which enhances their ability to perform law enforcement duties." Respress added.

Claimed to be lighter and more concealable, the FoCBA vests facilitate easy integration with police equipment, compared to legacy systems.

PM SPE assistant programme manager Maj. Michael Fowles said that the new vests are currently being evaluated by 22 MPs, with 12 of them being female.

"We are introducing female-specific sizes, to ensure the vests are comfortable and fit properly for the entire force," Fowles said.

As part of the assessment, soldiers have been executing various tasks that offer feedback to fit, form and function of the vest, while also assessing the vests’ range of motion, concealability, uniform and vehicle integration, in addition to their performance during various firing positions and physical drills.

Feedback obtained from the assessment will be used in developing a vest that complies with performance requirements and soldier acceptability.

"Their feedback will be used to make design improvements and ultimately result in more comfortable, functional, and suitable vests for operational use," Fowles added.

The new vests are also offered in different size options for a better, safer fit.

Image: The 92nd Military Police Battalion Pfc. Misty Ortiz testing the new concealed body armour vest. Photo: Courtesy of Dawn Arden.