Why then is this issued to select CIA, State Dept, and Spec Ops personnel on security details? How do I know? I happened to run across a couple of spec ops guys while doing convoy escorts. These guys had the Dragonskin armor, frangible bullets- which also “fail” US Military ballistics tests, and other goodies that regular Joe’s can only dream of.
Dunno ‘bout the CIA and State Department, but I’ve read somewhere that Special Operations has a budget that allows there troops to buy what they want, right now, rather than going through regular channels, and having to wait for it.
That is probably how they ended up with Dragonskin and frangible bullets. If it does well by them, despite an extra 20 lbs weight, then great! However, I doubt their needs are entirely the same as regular troops.
And an SF trooper might not notice 20 more pounds of armor!
Also, was this before or after the Future Weapons episode?