The Soldier Plate Carrier System (SPCS) is designed as a lightweight alternative, not a replacement, for the Improved Outer Tactical Vest, the core of the Interceptor body armor system. It is intended to increase mobility and maneuverability by lightening the Soldier's load when operating on foot in mountainous terrain or at high altitude.
An alternate cummerbund configuration adds a cummerbund with soft ballistic and hard plastic inserts and side plate pockets with soft ballistic inserts to the SPCS base vest assembly.
The most basic configuration of the SPCS consists of the front and rear carriers with soft ballistic inserts, two shoulder straps, four attachment straps, four quick release buckles, and the quick release cable. The side plate carriers are not worn in this configuration.
For increased protection, left and right side plate carriers with soft ballistic inserts can be added to the SPCS base vest assembly.
Purchase description AR/PD 10-04 provides for a multiple threat body armor system consisting of a base vest, cummerbunds and side plate pockets for tailoring protection levels to defeat multiple ballistic hazards across the battlefield continuum and manage armor weight. The SPCS is a critical safety item. This specification delineates system, subsystem, component, and subcomponent level performance requirements to accomplish the end item body armor performance. SPCS is functionally integrated with Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE).