Tactical Vest

Lore & Background

The Improved Modular Tactical Vest (IMTV) is a Marine Corps system, not widely used across all services, offering solid protection and mobility with a quick-release feature, though it has been largely succeeded by the Plate Carrier Generation II (PC Gen II) and the Scalable Plate Carrier (SPC). The Marine Corps developed the Scalable Plate Carrier (SPC) for troops in Afghanistan because of concerns of excessive weight limiting mobility, especially in mountainous terrain. The Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) vest remains in some limited use in training and non-deployable units. The Full Spectrum Battle Equipment kit includes a quick-release ballistic vest and load bearing equipment, but breathing apparatus and flotation devices are separate items. The Combat Integrated Releasable Armor System (CIRAS) is a different system used by special operations, not a replacement for the FSBE AAV, which is a specific vest variant for AAV crewmen. The PRU-70 for aviators and aircrew is a survival/flotation vest worn over or separate from body armor, not an integrated body armor system.

In Their Own Story

The IMTV is the newest and most advanced vest in Marine inventories, with better protection and mobility than previous vests and a quick-release. The Improved Scalable Plate Carrier was developed for troops in Afghanistan because of concerns of excessive weight limiting mobility, especially in mountainous terrain. The PASGT vest remains in some limited use in training and non-deployable units. The FSBE kit includes a quick-release ballistic vest, integrated breathing and flotation devices, as well as load bearing equipment. The CIRAS has replaced the FSBE AAV for some units. The PRU-70 for aviators and aircrew combines body armor, survival vest, and flotation device.

Reader's Guide

The IMTV is the newest and most advanced vest in Marine inventories, with better protection and mobility than previous vests and a quick-release. The Improved Scalable Plate Carrier was developed for troops in Afghanistan because of concerns of excessive weight limiting mobility, especially in mountainous terrain. The PASGT vest remains in some limited use in training and non-deployable units. The FSBE kit includes a quick-release ballistic vest, integrated breathing and flotation devices, as well as load bearing equipment. The CIRAS has replaced the FSBE AAV for some units. The PRU-70 for aviators and aircrew combines body armor, survival vest, and flotation device.

Did You Know?

• The Improved Modular Tactical Vest (IMTV) is a Marine Corps system, not widely used across all services, though it has been largely succeeded by the Plate Carrier Generation II (PC Gen II) and the Scalable Plate Carrier
• The Marine Corps developed the Scalable Plate Carrier (SPC) for troops in Afghanistan because of concerns of excessive weight limiting mobility, especially in mountainous terrain.
• The Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) vest remains in some limited use in training and non-deployable units.
• The Full Spectrum Battle Equipment kit includes a quick-release ballistic vest and load bearing equipment, but breathing apparatus and flotation devices are separate items.
• The Combat Integrated Releasable Armor System (CIRAS) is a different system used by special operations, not a replacement for the FSBE AAV, which is a specific vest variant for AAV crewmen.