British soldiers in Afghanistan will be equipped new ballistic explosion protective clothing 2907112

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Defense News - United Kingdom

 
 
Friday, July 29, 2011, 11:32 AM
 
British soldiers in Afghanistan will be equipped with new ballistic and explosion protective clothing.
The final phase of the British MOD's pelvic protection system will be issued to troops on the front line in Afghanistan in the next few months along with a new Personal Clothing System.
     
The final phase of the British MOD's pelvic protection system will be issued to troops on the front line in Afghanistan in the next few months along with a new Personal Clothing System.
Private Scott Littleton, 2 Mercian Regiment, wearing the new protective clothing
[Picture: Andrew Linnett, Crown Copyright/British MOD 2011]

     

The Pelvic Protection System is designed to mitigate the effects of explosions on the front line. With Tiers One and Two already in use, the third and final phase of the system will provide additional support to balance personnel's personal safety with the necessary comfort and manoeuvrability they need to undertake operations.

Tier One is worn as underwear, manufactured from scientifically-tested ballistic silk that provides an initial level of protection to mitigate against the effects of blasts, including shrapnel.

Tier Two is a second layer of detachable pelvic body armour, worn by troops when carrying out higher risk tasks outside the wire.

The final tier of the system consists of ballistic knee-length shorts, designed for use by troops whose roles demand greater levels of protection on patrol - such as those operating the lead metal detector in teams searching for Improvised Explosive Devices.

All three tiers integrate with the rest of troops' personal kit, which has now been redesigned specifically to be worn with body armour.

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