The Army’s top gear-buying office announced this week it has begun fielding an updated version of the Improved Outer Tactical Vest to Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan.
The Gen. II IOTV incorporates more than a dozen improvements over the already pretty well tricked out IOTV.
Improvements include a totally redesigned and removable yoke and collar, reversible and detachable side carriers and universal side pouch, and equipment anchor points on the front and rear which interface with items such as hydration systems and the Tactical Assault Panel or (TAP).
Finally, the Army has fielded a vest that can go from a full one moon suit for roof gunners down IED Alley to a slimmed down “operator cut” for door kickers humping into mountain qalats. And the service has an added bonus to the new vest: They’re fielding it in both OCP and UCP.
The vest is also more adjustable, so anyone from Popeye to Andre the Giant can tweek it to their liking.
In addition, we’ve incorporated increased adjustability in the shoulders and hips, as well as a newly designed location for the sideplate that is now adjustable to the wearer. All these improvements are included in the Gen-II IOTVs, including the UCP IOTVs produced since April of this year.
(A big thanks to the Dirt Dart for the tip)
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m sry but no amount of improvements will make the IOTV a good vest unless that improvement is to light it on fire. The quick release doesn’t work, the Medic access panel is garbage, oh and it don’t matter how well you try to adjust that vest all the soft Kevlar rolls up on you and makes uncomfortable buldges on the inside not too mention soft Kevlar is useless and doesn’t stop ****. The Army should just go with the Eagle Industries Plate Carrier with Cummerbund and and if they are so determine to have soft Kevlar then guess what those vest can have it sewn into the vest and have attachments for the groin, neck and throat just like the vests now do.
I have the Gen 2 and its great. If the quick release does not work for you it is most likely because you did not feed and adjust the cable correctly. If you have had it fitted to your correct size, it will not roll up or make bulges. When we got ours, they took time to fit us correctly and chose the right size and showed us how to adjust the straps to our actual body type to be comfortable..
hey i got a question i recently recieved the plate carrier and its only like 8 pounds they said its bullet resistant without the plate to pistol round but it seems kinda crazy to me you know anything bout this
Hmm we're still waiting for the OTV in our unit. I understand that we're last in the "food chain" per say with any kind of tactical gear (we just got CCO's for our M16A2's), but it would be important to have to train with and use in our QRF missions. It would also be nice to get some damn cold weather gear since we're in Vermont with only wet weather gear!!
Hey Im up in vermont too! I go to Norwich University. Oohrah
What about Dragonskin? Isn't it much better?
Only on the Future Weapons show. Turned out it failed a lot of military testing.
theres evidence that the army tampered with the vest to rig the results of the testing. When Pinnacle Armor called them on it, the Army screwed over their ability to sell to the military http://www.defensereview.com/army-acquisition-cap…
this should explain it
A friend of mine attended the Congressional hearing on this matter. Wikipedia talks a little about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Skin_body_arm…. The story is completely true. Doc – I'm sure your story is true as well, but the government showed actual footage of the CEO at the testings done by the Army and the vests not working. We had a pretty good laugh at the guy when that happened.
Dragonskin is waay to heavy and very cumbersome. The wearer is prone to overheating and does not lend itself well to mobility operations or, mountain patrol operations. Troops in the mountainous areas really should be using plate carriers rather than the heavier, turtle-like IOTVs and the like.
thats depressing it seemed like a great idea tho
actually Dragonskin is better when it comes to wearability and straight up protection.
the problem is when projectiles hit diagonally they can fly in between the layers and penetrate much deeper.
and the problem with enemies is they don't always shoot from the front…
Sorry to hear you guys might not received it soon VTGunner.
But, is it just me, or was this damn fast? :0
I hadn't heard of any new about the Army deploying a new version of the OTV. I mean, didn't they just updated it not too long ago? This is actually pretty cool considering they just updated the uniform as well. it's truly odd to see the Army due changes this damn quick. In some ways it makes me damn happy, and a bit exited :]
This is an update of the IOTV first fielded in '08. I wore one in Iraq, they sucked so bad that alot of guys were ripping them so they could turn them in for IBAs. Biggest problems were the plate's slipping down in the carrier, back pain, side plate didn't allow you to lift your arms over you head, and the neck protector strangled you when seated. But I'm sure they fixed ALL of that in this version…
What ever happened to dragon skin armor? The CIA, DIA, diplomats, and almost all the security forces use it and swear by it. My friends in RECON were issued it, but not allowed to wear it.
it freaking heavy
Not as heavy as that damn IBA
Are there any pictures of the vest with the extra protection added?
Looks alot like the SPC that Eagle makes for us.
I agree Vest in general are heavy and i know they seemed to get heavier instead of better protection. today vest are a huge leap forward from the one I wore in Desert Storm and the early part of Iraq. believe it or not when I first left the military and went into law enforcement, they still had the old Vietnam vest around and were still using them.
…but the old saying. It is better to carry the vest then to be carried in the aluminum box.
my nephew left almost 2 years ago, he had a pretty high speed piece of gear. i wish i would have had the first aid release handle to work with back then. (Combat Corpsman)
but 7 years and it looks like they just changed the colors and the complaint from the feild (as in the above post). I guess DOD want fashion over function.
To my brothers and sister in arms, its heavy, its hot, but we all want you to be able to do your duty and come home safe.
To my fellow Vets, I guess we left before to gear got good. (as compared to some of the old WWII looking stuff).
Just my opinion i could be wrong
Doc LZ
the throat collar is pressed against his neck and hes not even looking down.
no it's not. it's somewhat loose. what's the point of having the kneck collar though? it just limits the movement of his head
The throat collar does not limit the movement of your head. Hell, I'll be wearing my IOTV tomorrow and I can guarantee that it won't, along with most of the other bullshit complaints about the IOTV in this thread.
The only way the IOTV's side armor panels could keep your arms from going over your head is if you strap the cummberbund over your arms, so I guess whoever posted that needs the class on wear of the IOTV again. Pay attention better at RFI next time, mmkay?
Iotv sucks no matter what they do to it. Its heavy, bulky and extreamly uncomfortable.I have a plate carrier and it is ten times better than any iotv.
wassup, this is good stuff, Im happy I clicked on this article cuz i been looking for something like this since last weekend. thank you.