DefenseWatch has learned that U.S. Army's Natick Soldier Systems Center, MA, in conjunction with the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) at Aberdeen, Maryland, is spending $12 million to figure out how to perfect its "new" magnesium-backed E-SAPI plates used in the Interceptor OTV body armor system. Magnesium burns at more than 2,500 degrees when ignited. Sources familiar with the new magnesium-backed E-SAPI said it burned furiously when struck by armor piecing incendiary (API) bullets.
Sources told DefenseWatch that at least one magnesium hybrid E-SAPI plate was turned into a six-inch smoking hole when it was struck by an API round during ballistic tests conducted under the auspices of the Interceptor OTV program managers at PEO Soldier at Ft. Belvoir, VA. The exact composition of the new E-SAPI armor is classified.
To prevent more flaming E-SAPI incidents PEO Soldier scientists have degreed that all future tests will use a bullet designated the APM-2, an old 30.06 cal. round that does not contain an incendiary core, said a source who spoke to DefenseWatch upon assurances of anonymity.
http://www.sftt.org/main.cfm?action...nKey=cmpDefense&htmlCategoryID=30&htmlId=5109
hrmmm.....wonder if our enemies will delcline to use AP ammo also
Sources told DefenseWatch that at least one magnesium hybrid E-SAPI plate was turned into a six-inch smoking hole when it was struck by an API round during ballistic tests conducted under the auspices of the Interceptor OTV program managers at PEO Soldier at Ft. Belvoir, VA. The exact composition of the new E-SAPI armor is classified.
To prevent more flaming E-SAPI incidents PEO Soldier scientists have degreed that all future tests will use a bullet designated the APM-2, an old 30.06 cal. round that does not contain an incendiary core, said a source who spoke to DefenseWatch upon assurances of anonymity.
http://www.sftt.org/main.cfm?action...nKey=cmpDefense&htmlCategoryID=30&htmlId=5109
hrmmm.....wonder if our enemies will delcline to use AP ammo also