In the army and stuff?

Question

Why don't they wear body armour?

And if they do, it isn't very safe looking...

Answer 1

They wear body armor when the situation calls for it. It isn't requires all the time... It would be cumbersome to wear when they aren't on patrol but in their barracks.



g-day!

Answer 2

They do now in combat zones , but kevlar isn`t much good against against high velocity ammo or bombs.
Unfortunately the British tend to get issued second rate equipment (always have always will) because the govt will always go for the cheap option.
Body armour is only like a vest and won`t protect the lower body from the waist down anyway.

Answer 3

body armour is available and is issued when a unit posted to an area of operations where conflict is inevitable and risk of injury is prevalent,ie,the middle east,war in irag,any country involved in a shooting war,as for the safety issues involved,the current body armour issued to troops in combat contains Kevlar and is only effective at short range against certain calibres of ammunition and would not for instance stop a .50 round,however it is a proven fact that the greater the distance the firer is from the intended target then the risk of penetration is reduced,in short,armour is subject to several variations of firepower but the long and the short of it is that better to wear it then not to,not that there is any choice in the matter except where as in the case of British ministry of defence there is never enough to go around and people die because of the lack of it.

Answer 4

The British Army does. You get different types depending on what your role is. Combat Body Armour(CBA) has improved a great deal since we started the war in Iraq and Afghan.
I had the old type when I was in Iraq in 2003. We were hit by an IED and my vehicle smashed into another. My CBA saved my ribcage and my helmet protected my bonce. If I wasn't wearing it I definitely would have been sent home with pretty bad injuries.

Answer 5

There are many different types of body armour (biological/chemical, ballistic, explosive, stab, etc.) made out of a variety of materials. The British Armed forces wear each of these when and if the situation requires. Unfortunately there isn't enough to go around for everyone to get them because this trecherous government won't pay for kit. (Many soldiers have to end up buying their own.)

Answer 6

The United States Army issues body armor to soldiers. Sadly, the armor is of inferior quality. Dragon skin armor is superior in protection vs weight compared to standard issue. Most armor is in the form of a helmet and vest. Armor levels vary. As many others have stated, mobility is important. As such bulky heavier armor is usually not used. Vests can be modified to be of more protective value with the addition of a trauma plate which is a hard plate inserted into a pocket on the vest which will help stop larger caliber rounds. The plate adds weight and can restrict some movement due to its size and shape. Neck and throat protection can also be added but will also limit mobility. A groin protector can also be attached to the vest. This is important since the femoral artery is on the inside of the thigh. If that is severed you will bleed to death very quickly. Of course, as you can imagine, a large bulky triangular plate hanging around your waist and groin will also restrict mobility. Shoulder and upper arm pads can be added for more protection as well, but as suspected this will add weight and restrict movement. For the most part, your vital organs are located in the thorax and cranium. The armor vest and helmet protect those. This is a minimalist view on protection, since you can still lose your arms and legs thus rendering you as effective on the field as someone who is dead.

Answer 7

They do! I have many photos of friends and family out in Iraq out on patrol with their body armour on. Obviously while on camp they don't need to wear it but still have to be able to put it on within a given time (think its 10 seconds) should the sirens go off indicating incoming mortar fire.

Answer 8

Well, the last time I bought body armor it cost about $500+ without the metal plates and it was heavy with the plates. Can you imagine the cost of giving every soldier one and how the democrats would howl at the cost? Also, body armor doesn't stop a pointed round like most rifle rounds are. I've owned both M-16s and AK-47s and shot at 1/4 inch think plate steal and they went right through it.

Body armor doesn't work in war.

Answer 9

They try and wear it when it's appropriate and when it's available. As for not being very 'safe looking', the more protection it gives the heavier it becomes and the less mobile the soldier becomes - making him ineffective and more likely to get shot, so you have to strike a balance.

Answer 10

They wear Kevlar under they're very bulky battle dress uniforms.

You have to remember, that the more body armor they have on, the less mobile they are. and that can be even more deadly then not having armor in the first place!