Improved Outer Tactical Vest
The Army began fielding the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) in the fourth quarter of 2007. The IOTV is a side-opening vest that provides a greater area of coverage than the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) and weighs three pounds less.
The IOTV enhancements over the OTV include:
- a reduction in weight of 3.8 to 3 lbs depending on size,
- an internal waistband which moves more of the weight from the shoulders to the waist,
- a mesh lining which aid ventilation,
- side-opening which increases soft ballistic coverage and adjusts for better comfort,
- a quick release handle by which Soldiers can instantly remove the vest in emergency situations,
- integrated side plate carriers which decrease the vest's profile and allow better arm movement,
- a lower back protector which extends the vest's coverage by 52 square inches,
- a higher cut in the underarm area which eliminate the need to attach the axillary (underarm) protector to the deltoid axillary protector set,
- integrated throat protector, and
- increased number of available sizes for Soldiers with long torsos.
Component
- one base vest assembly
- a front base vest outershell assembly with a removable soft ballistic insert
- a back base vest outershell assembly with a removable soft ballistic insert
- a left and a right side plate carrier
- a left and a right elastic internal waistband
- a quick release cable assembly
- ancillary equipment
- a front and a back yoke/collar assembly
- a lower back protector assembly
- a groin protector assembly
- two deltoid protector assemblies
Specification
Instruction
- TM 10-8470-208-10. Operator Manual for Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) and Improved Outer Tactical Vest Gen II (IOTV Gen II), a Part of the Interceptor Body Armor System
- IOTV Sizing and Fitting Procedures. 21 Apr. 2009 [pdf]
- "A Commercial IOTV Cleaning Study". 2010. [pdf]
Logistics
- IOTV complete, UCP:
- X-Small: 8470-01-551-7640
- Small: 8470-01-551-7642
- Medium: 8470-01-551-7643
- Medium-Long: 8470-01-551-7647
- Large: 8470-01-551-7648
- Large-Long: 8470-01-551-7652
- X-Large: 8470-01-551-7653
- X-Large-Long: 8470-01-551-7654
- XX-Large: 8470-01-551-7655
- 3X-Large: 8470-01-551-7656
- 4X-Large: 8470-01-551-7658
Improvement
References
- http://www.army.mil/article/2497/army-to-field-improved-body-armor/
- http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/JulAug07/alog_news.html
- http://www.army.mil/aps/08/information_papers/transform/Interceptor_Body_Armor.html
- http://www.army.mil/article/7119/soldiers-of-europes-2nd-brigade-1st-armored-division-try-out-armys-improved-body-armor/
- http://www.army.mil/article/8079/soldiers-trying-new-protective-vests-in-baghdad/
- http://www.army.mil/aps/09/information_papers/interceptor_body_armor.html
- http://peosoldier.armylive.dodlive.mil/2010/08/30/oefiotv/
- http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/iotv-interceptors-incremental-improvement-03381/
- http://www.kdhdefensesystems.com/products/military/improved-outer-tactical-vest/
- http://www.pointblanksolutionsinc.com/Military/iotv.php