Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/929822
shorter time by USMC. There have been two generations of the system already, not to mention minor upgrades and dif- ferent color versions of it. Other armies may not boast such a spectacular and dynamic development of their sys- t e m s , but not many of them still use equip- ment of almost 25 years of age. We need a basic system that would be issued to virtually every soldier. In the case of crew-served weapons or other specific functions (e.g. a paramedic), the basic elements could be replaced or supplemented with other according to requirements. Such a system would be based around "modular platform" – a tactical vest, a chest-rig, or a so-called beltkit). The current standard body ar- mor especially UKO and Kandahar,is modular, but there are two things to bear in mind. First – UKO was a temporary an- swer to what was lacking in modern ballis- tic protection. It's hard to call it contemporary because it's just a copy of the IBA Interceptor, and so it should not be considered an element of equipment in the near fu- ture (not to mention the Tytan system). UKO-M (Kandahar) is quite modern, but it's only one of the three system elements; the other two are a low pro- file vest and a plate carrier. And this is what the second, more complex issue is about. Using a plate carrier or a low profile vest limits – compared to an in- tegrated vest – the amount of space for pouches, but it seems that it's becom- ing more and more common, especially when it comes to light infantry equip- ment. A plate carrier offers a slightly lower level of ballistic protection than an vest, but is way lighter, ensures much better ventilation and greater degree of mobility, which is essential. What's more, the increasing weight of additional individual equipment (e.g. all systems of the soldier of the future) makes it necessary to limit the weight of particular elements, with ballistic plates Wojsko Polskie rzadko używało w Afganistanie moździerzy, co było pokłosiem dramatu z Nangar Khel. Zdjęcie ilustracyjne. Prowincja Ghazni, październik 2013 r./fot. Marcin Ogdowski Mundur wz. 93, popularna „panterka", nie cieszył się uznaniem żołnierzy pododdziałów bojowych. Narzekali oni na jakość materiału, właściwości wentylacyjne, czy kamuflaż. Zaczęli więc organizować umundurowanie we własnym zakresie. Zwiadowca z Zespołu Rozpoznawczego X zmiany PKW. Okolice miasta Ghazni, marzec 2012 r./fot. Marcin Ogdowski www.fragoutmag.com