This video was done as part of a Discovery channel show called ‘Future Weapons”. The show is testing a body armor product called ‘Dragonskin‘. The people doing the test are using real world combat weapons some of which can pierce steel plate. They then use multiple types of weapons including the AK-47. In other words, they give this body armor a very real test at very close, nearly point blank, range. I’ll let you judge the results.

Each time Dragonskin has been submitted to the Dept of Defense it has been turned down. Why? I’ll be contacting the manufacturer tomorrow to see if I can get a phone interview and perhaps an answer.

Notice one thing, however. It appears that each of these vest has side plates. In other words, the entire torso may be protected. Our standard issue body armor can’t stand up to this test and it does not have side protection. I’m told a majority of wounds other than in arms and legs are side wounds from the waist up. The vest is capable of having the plates inserted. The soldier or Marine has to purchase them at their own cost.

Spec Ops Forces routinely buy equipment that is better than standard issue at their own cost. One family I know very well estimated that the cost for each deployment by their two Spec Ops soldiers was around $1200 each for the specialized equipment needed for that mission. It is a tragedy that gets little attention.

This is part one of two parts. Next watch the NBC investigation in 2007. Yes, NBC Dateline 2007. Today is Feb. 21 2010 and to my knowledge Dragonskin still has not be adopted. I will know more tomorrow after a talk with the company.