Armor ordered for Iraq-bound vehicles
Marine Corps News
Release Date: 1/15/2004
Story by Sgt. Colin Wyers
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(January 15, 2003) -- Adapting to a threat that has left scores of soldiers riding in vehicles dead or maimed in Iraq, the Marine Corps is applying armor to its humvees and 7-tons.
Much like the armored inserts in flak jackets saved Marines on the road to Baghdad during phase I of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the I Marine Expeditionary Force is investing in new armor to protect Marines in humvees against improvised explosive devices used by enemy fighters in Iraq.
"Once the MEF had the word they were going back, it's been a number one priority," said Steve Fisher, Marine Corps Warfighting Labs, liaison officer, Science and Technology Department for IMEF.
The development effort has included input from the Army, he said.
"We"ve been talking to not only Army units that are over there, but Army (combat) development in the States," Fisher said.
According to Fisher, a variety of armor systems is being tested for use in vehicles being deployed to Iraq. Moreover, 110 "hard armor" kits already have been ordered.
"We're looking at prioritizing the requirement," Fisher said. 'some need hard, some need medium, depending on the operational requirements. But all vehicles will have some kind of hardening."
The on-order hard-armor kits will be installed on humvees in Iraq, according to Master Sgt. Steven Snow, motor transportation chief with I MEF Headquarters Group.
The armor, designed to be mounted on a M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, was installed by motor transportation Marines on two vehicles last week, under supervision of technical representatives from O"Gara-Hess and Eisenhardt, the armor's manufacturer.
"We"ve developed a kit that is field installable," said David Wolf, a senior designer with O"Gara-Hess. "Instead of driving around in thin-skinned vehicles, they're driving around with protection from blasts and certain rounds that are fired at them."
The kits, tested at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, have been designed to protect occupants from a variety of threats, including anti-tank mines.
Motor transportation Marines with a variety of units in I MEF talked with the manufacturer's representatives and received hands-on installation experience. Two finished vehicles rolled off the lot Friday.
"It's a lot of work, but from what we"ve seen, I think it's a really great system," said Gunnery Sgt. Scott R. Boivin, Marine Wing Control Squadron 38's motor transportation chief. "If we're going to save lives, this is going to be a great asset."
According to Wolf, a team of four properly trained Marines can outfit a vehicle in roughly 10 hours.
"Without the training to put these vehicles together, it would have been extremely hard. Now that we"ve been through the process, it will be easier for me to go back and train my Marines," Boivin said.
Many more vehicles will be outfitted with medium armor, which is easier to install in the field, according to Fisher.
Two such armor systems were tested at Range 600 here Tuesday.
"(The test) was successful against the threat encountered in Iraq, which is an AK-47 at 100 meters," said Fisher.
The armor systems were also tested for their ability to withstand explosives similar to the ones being used in Iraq.
According to Fisher, a decision on the medium armor types will be made in several weeks.
Marines will begin to receive the gear within a month thereafter, he said.
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