Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1000484
CM/ICM and the Personnel Armor System In March 1970, the Army Materiel Command (AMC) ordered the implementation of a 5-year Personnel Armor System Technical Plan. The project involved development of an improved ballistic vest and a new helmet (added in April). The new vest was supposed to be more comfortable and compact, since the ballistic inserts in the previous models tended to move within the outer case. It was supposed to cover the body more efficiently, with increased resistance to fragments, both in the case of Conventional Munitions, as well as their new types (Improved Conventional Munitions). The first model was tested in 1972. To be honest, there is little information about it, apart from the fact that, at first glance, it looked like a flat version of M69. It was still solid olive green, had identical pockets setup, straps for additional equipment, and a Velcro front. The thickness and the arrangement of the ballistic insert in previous models were strongly criticized. What is more, the whole insert was placed in a vinyl sealed "pocket" that was completely impenetrable, a cumbersome feature in hot climate. Besides, it tended to crack during use, so the ballistic nylon inside could soak in water and its protective properties could deteriorate. By looking at the available pictures, the vest at that stage, although not in its final form, constituted a complete solution for a reasonable arrangement of the inserts, with layers sewn together and fixed in the outershell. In January 1973, the Army Department submitted Materiel Need for Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops. Due to the fact it was no longer only a R&D program but a major demand, the works could undergo a significant progress. In May 1973, the TR-73-51-CE "The Carrying of Loads Within an Infantry Company" report was published. In that report, models representing various infantry specialties were equipped, among others, with the latest vest from Natick Labs. The vest was more similar to the future PASGT, although it was still produced in the solid olive. The pockets and the attachement straps for equipment/ grenades were moved a bit downwards. Also, shoulder straps were added, and they could be stabilized with straps but the fastening method slightly differed from the final one. The front flap was more rectangular shape, resembling the one from IBA Interceptor. For the first time, additional reinforcements for the rifle tock were added between the bracelets and the pockets. In August 1973, new prototypes of CM/ICM (Conventional and Improved Conventional Munitions) vests were created. It was made from 12 layers of ballistic nylon (475 g/m2).. The outershell was in ERDL camouflage pattern and an inside was solid olive-green. The ballistic nylon was hydrophobic treated, so there was no need for additional vinyl pocket to protect against moisture. The collar had six ballistic layers. The general design of the vest was almost identical to the final one. The differences included the surface of the collar and the nylon pockets that was used for M69, as well as the additional reinforcement of the bottom part of shoulder pads that had an additional layer of olive green nylon. Rifle stock reinforcements below the shoulder pads were also olive green, while the straps were black. Vests were not assigned NSNs and the contracts were not awarded, but they had tags with project order identification. The vest was described in the LP/P.DES 30-73 product specification. An important detail that was introduced in that model was the connection of the front and the back panels of the vest with four elastic straps from the outside, and four rigid nylon straps on the inside. The back panels consisted of four separate parts that overlapped each other, which increased the range of user's movements. At that stage, the target solution for the front fastening (nylon flap with Velcro) was introduced. CM/ICM Medium weighed 3.8 kilograms. Next experimental CMs/ICMs were produced according to LP/P.DES 30-73A specs from 19 August 1974. The differences were the colors and the materials. Since then, all parts of the vest were made in camouflage pattern. In order to reinforce the vest, the outer pockets were made of thick Nylon Cotton Twill (as used in M65 coats and pants) instead of plain nylon. The prototypes still had the additional reinforcement of the front-bottom part of the shoulder pads (an additional layer of material). By looking at the pictures and the way those elements were arranged, it can be considered that shoulder pads and the reinforcements for the stock were still fully made of an additional layer of ballistic nylon. With a theoretically similar weight, CM/ICM provided only slightly improved protection over M69. Tests proved that the vest is capable to stop a 17-grain fragment traveling with 375 m/s velocity. However, it came out that better protection could be offered Kevlar para-aramide, which would involve only a minimal increase of weight. Initially, Kevlar vests were EQUIPMENT