Marine Corps releases solicitation for new lightweight hard armor plate

Photo By Staff Sgt. William Chockey | Marines in the Infantry Officer Course run to to their first objective during a live fire training exercise at Range 410A aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., June 9, 2018. The Purpose of IOC is to train and educate newly selected infantry and ground intelligence officers in leadership, infantry skills, character required to serve as infantry platoon commanders in the operating forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. William Chockey)  

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

11.29.2018

Story by Kaitlin Kelly 

Marine Corps Systems Command

The Marine Corps has released a request for proposal for a lightweight hard armor plate to lighten the load for Marines and allow commanders to adapt to the environment, mission and level of threat on the battlefield.

In August, Marine Corps Systems Command assessed industry’s capability to make a plate that would supplement the Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert, or ESAPI plates, and provide sufficient protection for the majority of combat environments. MCSC’s Program Manager Infantry Combat Equipment held Industry Days Oct. 17-18, and met with 12 companies to receive feedback on the draft solicitation documents.

Now MCSC is seeking proposals from industry for procurement of a maximum of 680,706 and a minimum of 60,000 lightweight plates. The lighter plates will give commanders more options to tailor Marines’ ballistic protection to the environment, mission and threat.

“These new plates will be fielded in addition to the existing ESAPI plates,” said Nick Pierce, Individual Armor Team lead in MCSC’s PM ICE. “We expect the plates to be at least 38% lighter than the ESAPI which will significantly increase the mobility of Marines on the battlefield.”

All proposals are due March 2019, and a contract is expected to be awarded in July 2019. Priorities have not yet been set, but initial fielding would likely go to combat units and could take place as early as fiscal year 2020.

"This along with other recent initiatives such as the Plate Carrier Gen III are part of a holistic effort to modernize the personal protective equipment set to give Marines better, lighter, more effective gear," said Pierce.

• Date Taken: 11.29.2018
• Date Posted: 11.29.2018 16:09
• Story ID: 301705
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, US