Report: Army overdue on promised delivery of new body armor for Iraq, Afghanistan troops; Contract not yet awarded

A soldier with the 25th Infantry Division puts on his individual body armor prior to a patrol of the Riyahd village in March

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Army is late in delivering newer, lighter body armor to soldiers downrange.

In April, an official with Program Executive Officer Soldier (PEO Soldier) said that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan would begin to receive the Improved Outer Tactical Vests that month.

“The Army will begin fielding the IOTV April 07 as directed by [Headquarters, Department of the Army/ Army Central Command],” said Steven Pinter in an e-mailed response to questions to Stars and Stripes last month.

But the Army has not yet awarded a contract for the new body armor, according to PEO Soldier, the Army’s development center for advanced soldier equipment.

Read the rest at Stars and Stripes

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