The body armor that U.S. forces wear in Afghanistan is effective against ballistic threats: there have been no reported penetrations of the body armor or fatalities when the currently issued body armor was struck by the projectiles it was designed to stop. However, current body armor is heavy in weight and makes up a large portion of the load that Soldiers and Marines carry on patrol and into combat. This report summarizes a Congressionally directed study of how body armor weight can be reduced. The research examined four approaches to lightening body armor: refining requirements, using modular configurations, improving testing, and improving materials. The study found that a 10 percent reduction in weight appears to be about the most that is realistic in the short term if overall protection is to remain constant; nonmateriel approaches can result in a greater than 20 percent weight reduction, but such approaches pose difficult choices about the amount of protection provided to Soldiers. The report concludes with a comparison of the four approaches, general conclusions and recommendations, and responses to each of the eight Congressionally raised issues.

"Arroyo Center"--T.p. "TR-1136-A" "Rand Arroyo Center."

Introduction -- Background -- Four approaches to lightening body armor -- Conclusions -- Recommendations -- Appendix: Army, Marine Corps, and SOCOM processes for procuring body armor.