The IOTV and IOTV Gen II consist of a front piece and a back piece held together by a cable release assembly. The IOTV and IOTV Gen II design distributes the weight of the IBA system more evenly than previous versions of IBA.

Features

The IOTV enhancements over the OTV include:

reduced weight

by more than three pounds by eliminating overlap

an internal waistband

which moves more of the weight from the shoulders to the waist.

a mesh lining

which aid ventilation.

side-opening

which increases soft ballistic coverage and adjusts for better comfort.

a quick release handle

by which Soldiers can instantly remove the vest in emergency situations.

integrated side plate carriers

which decrease the vest's profile and allow better arm movement.

a lower back protector

which extends the vest's coverage by 52 square inches.

a higher cut in the underarm area

which eliminate the need to attach the axillary (underarm) protector to the current deltoid axillary protector set.

integrated throat protector

increased number of available sizes

tall sizes available in medium, large, and X-large.

Component

• base vest assembly
  • front and rear carriers with soft ballistic inserts
  • two side plate carriers with side plate pouches
  • elastic internal waistband
  • quick release cable
• ancillary equipment
  • front yoke and collar assembly
  • back yoke and collar assembly
  • lower back protector assembly
  • groin protector assembly
  • deltoid protectors

Description

The IOTV and IOTV Gen II vest are completely interchangeable. Any component of the IOTV can be interchanged with any IOTV Gen II component of the same size. The IOTV Gen II vest provides several design improvements but the sizing and interface between components are identical.

Base Vest

The IOTV vest has a mesh material (FG504-colored raschel knit nylon cloth conforming to MIL-C-8061 Type I or II, 11 or 12 oz/sq yard) for the interior of the vest. The IOTV Gen II vest has solid fabric for the interior of the vest.

The front carrier has two shoulder straps with attached buckles. On the right shoulder is the aft guide channel used for routing of the cable release. The left shoulder has a hook and loop fastener attachment point and is referred to as the medical access point. In the center of the neckline is the location for rank placement. Behind the rank placement is a pocket for storage of the quick release handle of the cable assembly. There is also a location for the name tape placement on the right side of the chest area.

PALS webbing is sewn on the vest for attaching items such as MOLLE pouches.

There is a pull tab attached to the front flap for raising the flap. Lifting the flap exposes the hook and loop fastener tapes used to attach the side plate carriers. On the inside of the front carrier, there is webbing for attaching the ballistic groin protector. The data plate containing essential information is also located on the inside of the front carrier.

The IOTV Gen II vest has added equipment attachment rings at the left and right shoulders. These rings are designed for attachment of the Tactical Assault Panel (TAP) and other equipment.

The IOTV Gen II front carrier also has several improvements to the quick release system. The IOTV Gen II front carrier cable routing channels and cable release handle pocket are designed to minimize the chance of misrouting. The loop tape for the rank is larger on the IOTV Gen II vest.

The front ballistic insert is located inside the front carrier and provides ballistic protection. The front ballistic insert has loop fastener tape and a data label.

On the upper portion of the Back carrier are the shoulder strap guides used for routing the shoulder straps of the front carrier. There is a casualty drag strap located on the upper center portion of the carrier. There is webbing with hook and loop material for securing the strap. Keep the strap secured when not in use to prevent snagging.

There are two flaps a smaller upper access panel and a larger, lower access panel. The upper access panel has slits for routing the shoulder straps. In the upper compartment, there is a series of webbing used for attaching the front carrier to the back carrier.

There is a right shoulder webbing loop, a center cable guide, and the left shoulder webbing loop. The two olive drab straps with an attached buckle are for use with the Land Warrior System. There is a cable retention loop located on the left side for storing the excess cable.

Under the lower flap, there is additional webbing to attach the elastic internal waist band and the side plate carriers. There is a cable retaining pocket on the very bottom of the pocket for stowing excess cable.

The back ballistic insert is located inside the back carrier and provides ballistic protection. The back ballistic insert has loop fastener tape and a data label.

The side plate carriers attach the front and back carriers, help distribute the load of the vest and carry the ESBI plates. The side plate carriers are attached to the back vest using the quick release system and with the front carrier using hook and loop fastener tape.

The IOTV vest has a left and a right side plate carrier with integrated pockets to hold the ESBI plates.

The IOTV Gen II side plate carriers are universal and have removable side plate pouches. Additionally, the IOTV Gen II universal side plate carriers have a stiff plastic liner that provides better support and load distribution.

The internal elastic bands help distribute the weight of the equipment and keep the vest secured when the front carrier is lifted up for medical access. The internal elastic bands only attach to the back carrier and attach to each other on the front using hook and loop fastener tape.

On the IOTV, one of the internal elastic bands is semipermanently attached to the back carrier. On the IOTV Gen II, both internal elastic bands are detached.

The cable release assembly comes in four different sizes, depending on the vest size. The assembly features the quick release handle that the user pulls to activate the quick release function. The data plate is located on the handle. The assembly includes the two cables; one slightly longer than the other.

The IOTV Gen II cable release attaches to the cable release handle on the side instead of the center as on the IOTV. The IOTV Gen II no longer requires a cable stop.

Purchase Description

• FQ/PD 07-05

Instruction

• http://www.kwikpoint.com/images/pdfs/vug_iotv.pdf
• TM 10-8470-208-10. Operator Manual for Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) and Improved Outer Tactical Vest Gen II (IOTV Gen II)
• TM 10-8470-208-24&P. Field and Sustainment Maintainance Manual Including Repair Parts and Special Tools List for Interceptor Body Armor System
• IOTV Sizing and Fitting Procedures. 21 Apr. 2009 [pdf]

Improvement

• IOTV Gen III in development

References

• https://peosoldier.army.mil/docs/BugularNewBodyArmor.pdf
• http://peosoldier.armylive.dodlive.mil/2010/08/30/oefiotv/
• http://www.army.mil/-news/2007/04/02/2497-army-to-field-improved-body-armor/
• http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/01/25/7119-soldiers-of-europes-2nd-brigade-1st-armored-division-try-out-armys-improved-body-armor/
• http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/01/25/7122-soldiers-try-out-improved-body-armor/
• http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/03/24/8079-soldiers-trying-new-protective-vests-in-baghdad/
• http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/JulAug07/alog_news.html
• http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/iotv-interceptors-incremental-improvement-03381/
• http://www.baesystems.com/ProductsServices/bae_mps_prod_iotv.html
• http://www.baesystems.com/BAEProd/groups/public/documents/bae_publication/bae_pdf_mps_indv_iotv.pdf
• http://www.pointblankarmor.com/MILprod_IOTV.html
• http://www.kdhdefensesystems.com/products/military/improved-outer-tactical-vest/
• http://www.kdhdefensesystems.com/images/stories/products/downloads/military/iotv-product-sheet.pdf