Avon failure leaves US Army undeterred on next-gen body armour
VTP is intended to be a lighter weight ballistic plate solution. (Photo: US Army)
According to the US Army, failures encountered in tests of body armour plates from one supplier will not impact deliveries in the Vital Torso Protection programme.
The US Army has confirmed that deliveries of Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) Vital Torso Protection (VTP) systems are unaffected by the failure of Avon Protection body armour plates in First Article Tests (FAT).
A spokesperson for the US Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier explained to Shephard that, apart from Avon, Leading Technology Composites and Tencate had also been awarded production contracts for VTP.
Both companies passed the FAT stage and are now delivering hard armour plates under delivery orders from the army. ‘FAT failures are not uncommon and vendors typically successfully work through the issues,’ the official noted.
FAT is a battery of tests
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Land Warfare
-
![Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million]()
Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million
The systems have been purchased under a special fund which has already been tapped into for the purchase of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth up to €8 billion (US$8.7 billion) and thousands of Rheinmetall Caracal airmobile special operations vehicles worth €1.9 billion.
-
![Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans]()
Italy weighs up the challenge of its tank replacement plans
The Russia–Ukraine war has continued to be the place the world’s militaries have been watching for lessons on both the EW and uncrewed front. Its conventional war aspect, however, has also been catching the attention of leaders.
-
![The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions]()
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
-
![US Missile Defense Agency’s budget could be cut by $2.6 billion over the next three years]()
US Missile Defense Agency’s budget could be cut by $2.6 billion over the next three years
The reduction would impact several acquisition and development programmes, creating capabilities gaps in US missile defence architecture.
-
![Israel ramps up Arrow-4 development following Iranian attack]()
Israel ramps up Arrow-4 development following Iranian attack
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has fast-tracked the development of the Arrow-4 ballistic missile interceptor in response to recent Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
