The US Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) has tested two different variants prototypes of the modular scalable vest (MSV), aimed at providing better fitting armour solutions to meet needs for different missions.
The two variants of the MSV assessed are the fighting jacket and the plate carrier (PC) with load distribution system (LDS).
The fighting jacket is the sleeker and lighter when compared with the PC and has been designed for use with smaller loads, while the PC with LDS variant is bulkier than the fighting jacket and is suited for Marines carrying larger loads for a longer time.
The testing aimed to get the best possible feedback from the Marines about the MSV, which, according to Marine Corps Systems Command biomedical engineer Rebecca Jaworski, regularly comes from spur-of-the-moment comments.
"We’re getting away from the sterile testing, which is designing things on a computer and testing those things in a controlled environment," Jaworski said.
The lighter fighting jacket was preferred by the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) battalion, over the PC with LDS variant.
To ensure marines are protected, the MCSC employee Mackie Jordan and Jaworski will apply the data collected to both variants of the MSV while aiming for optimal comfort and an acceptable weight.
Image: A US Marine Corps Systems Command biomedical engineer explains the fighting jacket variant of the modular scalable vest. Photo: Photo: courtesy of Carden Hedelt, MCSC Corporate Communications.
