1 Armor Protection Levels Information Briefing for EOS

Purpose EOS Task #14 Provide an information brief that identifies a plan that articulates the need for Armor Protection Levels (APL) and the importance of balancing the “Iron Triangle”. A “one size fits all” solution does not provide the flexibility required by commanders in the field in the execution of their widely varied mission sets. Agenda Where we are today Where we want to go…APLs Recommended APLs What activities are underway Way ahead

Where we are today Protection/Weight Trade-offs There are no significant technological advances in lightweight armor just around the corner. Dismounted movement challenge = how to balance the "Iron Triangle" TTPs, METT-TS evaluation = Protection Armor is scalable, but only to a degree BALANCED FOR MISSION REQUIREMENTS PERFORMANCE PROTECTION PAYLOAD

Where we are today Combatant Commander, JTF Commander or Component Commander prescribe a certain level of PPE (some delegate PPE levels). The Modular Tactical Vest (MTV) and Scalable Plate Carrier (SPC) have soft armor that protects against fragmentation and handguns (9mm). E-SAPI protects against ballistic protection to include 7.62mm armor piercing rounds The Light Weight Helmet protects against fragmentation and handguns (9mm). In the CENTCOM AOR all Marines must wear Flame Resistant Organizational Gear (FROG) as the outer layer. FROG when worn in conjunction with the vest and other approved PPE (helmet, goggles, etc.) provides increased protection against flame/fire hazards that are associated with IED blasts.

Where we want to go…APLs The intent of incorporating APLs is to provide guidance to commanders and enable them to tailor armor protection based on their estimate of the situation. Higher APLs provide increased ballistic protection through the addition of modular armor components increasing the areas of coverage and/or ballistic protection. Higher APLs correspond to greater weight, increased thermal loading, and reduced mobility; thus degrading individual and unit performance over extended periods of time. APL effectiveness is directly correlated to weight.

APL-0 MTV APL-2 MTV APL-3MTV APL-4 Recommended APLs MTV APL-1 -Helmet -MTV without attachments -Helmet -MTV with attachments -Helmet -MTV with attachments -Front & back SAPI -Helmet -MTV with attachments -Front SAPI -Back SAPI -Side SAPI No body armor at the commander’s discretion

APL-0 SPC APL-2 SPC APL-3SPC APL-4 Recommended APLs SPC APL-1 -Helmet -SPC without attachments -Helmet -SPC with attachments -Helmet -SPC with attachments -Front & back SAPI -Helmet -SPC with attachments -Front SAPI -Back SAPI -Side SAPI No body armor at the commander’s discretion

What activities are underway PP&O (POG-21) with input from CDI is drafting a policy on the wear of PPE. Will publish one MarAdmin to supplement MarAdmin 262/07 (provided direction on the wear of PPE) and another MarAdmin to publish the policy identifying specific APLs. Will give “Operating force commanders at the Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) level or higher, are authorized to determine the required level of PPE (or APL when established) for wear by assigned personnel. This determination will be informed by mission, threat, and environmental factors. “ Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory conducting a lighten the load study.

Summary APLs will enable commanders to tailor armor protection based on their estimate of the situation It is impractical to attempt to protect against all conceivable threats. Leadership is fundamental to the effective use of APL.

Questions