The Interceptor Body Armor (IBA) was designed to replace the Personnel Armor System Ground Troops (PASGT) vest and the Interim Small Arms Protective Overvest (ISAPO).

Components

IBA consists of an outer tactical vest (OTV) and a pair of small arms protective inserts (SAPI).

The OTV consists of a combination of a soft fabric vest and para-aramid fiber panels that provide protection against shrapnel and 9mm rounds. The SAPI plates consist of a combination of ceramic tiles and polyethylene fiber that, when inserted into the vest, provide protection against rifle rounds up to 7.62mm. The vest accepts two plates, one for the front and one for the back. Attachable back yoke/collar, throat and groin protectors provide increased protection, and webbing attachment loops on the front of the vest allow its wearer to tailor loads to meet mission needs.

The OTV weighs 8.4 lbs without SAPI plates. Total system weight is 16.4 lbs, which is 8.7 lbs lighter than PASGT/ISAPO combination.

Ballistic Protection Levels

• OTV provides fragmentation protection from conventional fragmenting munitions, multi-hit handgun bullet protection for 9mm, 124 gr., Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) Remington projectile.
• OTV and SAPI together provide multi-hit small arms bullet protection from:
  • NATO 7.62 x 51 mm M-80 Ball.
  • Soviet 7.62 mm x 54 R Ball Type LPS
  • U.S. 5.56 mm M855 Ball.
• OTV and ISAPI together provide multi-hit small arms bullet protection from
  • NATO 7.62 x 51 mm M-80 Ball.
  • Soviet 7.62 mm x 54 R Ball Type LPS
  • U.S. 5.56 mm M855 Ball.
  • 7.62 x 39 mm API (Russian BZ and Chinese Type 56)
• OTV and ESAPI together provide multi-hit small arms bullet protection from
  • NATO 7.62 x 51 mm M-80 Ball.
  • Soviet 7.62 mm x 54 R Ball Type LPS
  • U.S. 5.56 mm M855 Ball.
  • 7.62mm x 63 APM 2

Enhancements

• 2004
  • Army: Deltoid and Axillary Protectors (DAP)
  • Marine Corps: Armor Protection Enhancement System
• 2005
  • Army: OTV Conversion Kit (from Wooldland or Desert Camouflage Patterns to Universal Camouflage Pattern).
  • Transition from SAPI to Enhanced SAPI.
• 2006
  • Army: Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts and carriers.
  • Marine Corps: Enhanced Side SAPIs and carriers
• 2007
  • Army: Transition to Improved Outer Tactical Vest.
  • Marine Corps: Transition to Modular Tactical Vest.

Instruction

• TM 10-8470-208-24&P. Field and Sustainment Maintainance Manual Including Repair Parts and Special Tools List for Interceptor Body Armor System
• http://www.scribd.com/doc/63723301/Use-and-Care-Manual-for-the-IBA-OTV-SAPI-Point-Blank

References

• "Researchers Work to Lighten the Soldier's Load: Advanced Technology Application and Design," Warrior, April-June 1998. [html]
• "Bulletproof bravado: Interceptor Body Armor system provides ultimate protection for front-line troops," Warrior, September-October 1999. [html]
• http://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/magazine/issues/1999/MAY-AUG/pdfs/MAY-AUG99.pdf
• IBA infopaper @Army Posture Statement [2006][2007][2008][2009]
• http://www.ausa.org/publications/armymagazine/archive/2008/3/Documents/SA_0308.pdf
• IBA factsheet @PEO Soldier [Jan 2006][May 2009][Oct 2010]
• http://peosoldier.armylive.dodlive.mil/2012/03/08/equipment-piece-of-the-week-interceptor-body-armor-iba/
• APBI PPE/IBA [2008][2009][2010][2011]
• References on Body Armor