Posted on 05/08/2006 6:51:57 PM PDT by blam
Armoured suits are 'too goofy' say US troops
By Francis Harris, in Washington
(Filed: 09/05/2006)
American troops have complained that a new armoured body suit designed to be worn in Iraq makes them look "goofy".
The water-cooled "alien spacesuits" are being handed out to turret gunners in their notoriously vulnerable Humvee vehicles.
The new suit is designed to protect against roadside bombs but has had mixed reviews from soldiers
The protective suit, based on those worn by bomb disposal officers, was intended to cut spiralling casualties for one of the most dangerous jobs in modern warfare.
But some troops have complained that the armour and headgear is inelegant. Others say the water-cooling system, designed for the soaring temperatures of an Iraqi summer, regularly breaks down.
Nonetheless, the suits being tested in combat by US military police units in northern Iraq have produced good results.
Capt Larry Bergeron told the military newspaper Stars and Stripes that the armour was credited with saving the lives of three men sprayed with shrapnel from roadside bombs.
"One soldier's visor stopped a piece of shrapnel that hit dead centre," he said. "If he had not had that suit on, the effects could have been catastrophic."
Gunners on Humvees have high casualty rates. While newly-installed armour protects those inside, the gunner stands with the upper half of his body exposed, making him far more vulnerable to roadside bombs and gunfire. Others have been crushed as vehicles overturn.
But Specialist Michael Floyd, 19, said: "I am not a big fan of this thing. It is really hot and hard to move around in. I do feel safer, but only in an explosion. I would not feel safer in a rollover or in small-arms fire."
Critics say the heavy suits also restrict movement during combat.
It made me laugh!
LOL!!!!!
There is absolutely no way my son will wear this!
screw that...
I wouldn't have wanted to wear anything like that....
and unless I miss my guess, most of our soldiers in Iraq wouldn't want to wear that stuff either.
This is the most outstanding "ANTI-RAPE" device ever invented.
OMG. I'd like to see them try to make my Marine Gunny Sergeant son-in-law wear something like that.
What's that turtle armor soldier thingie?
Super Ninja Turtles!
Hey, if it saves lives, it's all good - but I don't think any self-respecting soldier would voluntarily wear one! The guy ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT look like a soldier! It definitely does look like a space suit.
I nwonder what the Iraqis would think if they saw one of those Americans walking around in that.
First it was those infidel Americans, now it's infidels from another planet! What's next???
May look goofy but.. where can i buy a suit? :)
So if he died tomorrow.....you'd be happy knoing he didnt die looking like a dork?
I prefer the CROWs system myself. It is much safer for the crew, though it is much more expensive and requires modification to the vehicle. http://www.defense-update.com/products/c/CROWS.htm http://www.roi.bourns.com/weapon/crows.asp http://www4.army.mil/ocpa/read.php?story_id_key=7137
Note: All links are open source and approved for distribution. 
But do they actually work?
If it works then it may not be so goofy.
But do they actually work?
If it works then it may not be so goofy.
He would
For the average soldier in a combat environment, this would cause more casualties than it could prevent. If anything, it may actually case some deaths.
The ability to rapidly move and locate shelter (hide behind a wall), is a soldier's best form of protection.
However, as an "ANTI-RAPE" device for our military women in Iraq, this outfit may be useful.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
