[OXENinFLA]

Saving Lives & Limbs with New Armor

[There's a short video at the link, but get your barf bag ready.]

Jacksonville, FL -- More than 11,000 soldiers return home from Iraq with injuries. Many have lost limbs or lost vision.

"Vests are saving the lives of our soldiers right now because they are protecting the vital organs," said U.S. Senator Bill Nelson. "But they're coming back alive without arms and without legs."

That's because there isn't much armor available, and what is available is too bulky for soldiers to move around comfortably or react quickly.

The armor is also very thick, which many soldiers don't want to wear in Iraq's high temperatures.

That's why Jacksonville-based Armor Holdings has teamed up with Florida State University to design better body armor for troops.

The research team showcased prototypes to Senator Nelson Monday morning.

"It looks a little bit like a football outfit," said Senator Nelson. "But it's going to be a much lighter material."

The new armor is also resistant to rifle fire.

It covers the soldier's neck, arms and legs, as well as the head and torso.

It will also let the soldier move around easier.

On top of new armor for limbs, the research team is working on better eye protection.

The new armor is still in the research phase. It should be ready for troops within one year.

[Gucho]

short video at the link


Bump

[Gucho]

Attack on fuel pipeline south of Baghdad

Published: 3/8/2005:

HILLA, Iraq - An oil pipeline feeding Al-Dura refinery south of Baghdad was blown up Tuesday near Jorf al-Sakhr, 60 kilometres (35 miles) south of the capital, an Iraqi oil official said.

"Unknown assailants placed explosives on the 'strategic' pipeline," said Muayyed al-Shemmari, a local oil official.

The blast occurred at 1 pm (1000 GMT) and firemen were called to the scene, Shemmari said.

It was not immediately clear how the rupture would affect the Dura refinery, which feeds a neighboring power plant that supplies electricity to Baghdad.

In recent months insurgents have intensified their attacks on Iraq's oil infrastructure, targeting crucial pipeline sections and vehicle convoys carrying fuel.

03/08/2005 13:41 GMT

AFP and Turkish Press

[texasflower]

I like the look of the new armor they showed on the screen, but I SURE wish I hadn't seen Nelson playing dress up. Ugh.

You warned us, but did I listen? Nooooo.