Scalable Plate Carrier

Plate carrier developed and used by the United States Marine Corps
A USMC Brigadier General wearing a Scalable Plate Carrier in Afghanistan in 2011.

The Scalable Plate Carrier (SPC) is a plate carrier used by the United States Marine Corps as an alternative to the heavier Modular Tactical Vest (MTV).

History

Design

It is a lightweight plate carrier intended to supplement the Modular Tactical Vest. Key issues with the previous MTV, specifically ergonomics, have been remedied with the addition of new features such as adjustment buckles and improved padding on the shoulders. These new improvements are intended to make the vest much more comfortable to wear in comparison to the MTV. It resembles the Eagle Industries MBAV and has staggered MOLLE webbing on the chest.

First generation

The SPC was fielded to combat units operating in the War in Afghanistan in 2008 as a lightweight alternative to the MTV, where it has proved popular because of the region's mountainous terrain. Marines now typically deploy with both the MTV and SPC, with commanders setting the requirements for which vest should be worn based on threat levels. The Scalable Plate Carrier was analyzed for the U.S. Army's Soldier Plate Carrier System demonstration.[1]

Improved Scalable Plate Carrier

The Improved Scalable Plate Carrier (ISPC) was introduced in 2011; it is expected that the Improved Modular Tactical Vest (IMTV) will replace the ISPC.[2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scalable Plate Carrier (United States Marine Corps).

References

  1. ^ PEO Soldier (15 October 2009). "Army looks to lighten load for Soldiers in Afghanistan". Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  2. ^ Dan Lamothe (13 January 2010). "Corps: New body armor more comfortable". Gannett Government Media Corporation. Retrieved 13 January 2011.


  • v
  • t
  • e
Armour types
  • Body armor
  • Vehicle armour
  • Barding
Historical armour types
Modern armour types
Bullet-resistant armour
Ballistic plate
Ballistic fabrics
Armor systems
Components
Fictional armour types
  • v
  • t
  • e
Individual
historical
helmets
Combat
Ancient
Medieval and
Early Modern
Late Modern
1914–1945
1945–1980
1980–2000
2001–present
Athletic
Work
Other
  • Portal
  • Category:Armour