Features of the Improved Outer Tactical Vest
The Improved Outer Tactical Vest or the IOTV as it is commonly known, is a result of continous research and development by the army which began the spring of 2006. The US Army shortlisted seventeen vendors who had come forward with designs of improvement in Body Armor. Of these seventeen, six vendors were selected and asked to provide their prototypes of their designs for a user evaluation which was conducted in the month of January and February of the year 2007. These new Body Armor were then subjected to various tests by soldiers in Fort Lewis, Washington.
One of the six designs was selected and orders issued for production. The selected design of the IOTV aimed at providing the required comfort by reducing the overall weigh by three pounds all the while increasing the coverage area of the Body Armor by 52 square inches. The enhanced utility designs with a quick release system in case of emergency and the overhead opening of the Body Armor is the most notable of utility enhancements incorporated in the design of the IOTV Body Armor. The internal waistband design is another innovation which moves a lot of weight from the shoulders to the waist of the wearer.
Other features include:-
- The availability of multiple sizes and variants from medium through extra large. This extension of the size range provides for a near-custom fit for Soldiers.
- Availability of the additional modular design lightweight load-carrying attachments are a as a result of changing the opening from the front. All these attachments are now available in the universally used camouflage pattern.
- Availability of enhanced ballistic insert pockets which have four inches of vertical movement for adjustability, allowing for better placement and securing of the protective plates based on the wearer’s body proportions.
- Provision for additional pockets for storage.
- A refreshing mesh lining to provide ventilation.
- Provision for vertical adjustment of side plate carriers.