For countless years now, various manufacturers have been searching for different ways to achieve a super protective yet highly functional and light weighted plate carrier. The Soldier Plate Carrier System is a step closer to achieving this; a product of several attempts. Developed by the U.S. Army, the Solider Plate Carrier System (SPCS) was created to provide better protection, increased mobility as well as high level of comfort.
Also known as the KDH Magnum TAC-1, this special plate carrier is known to be the successor of the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV). It has much lighter weight and offers better agility without taking out the protective features of the vest.
The emergence of the SPCS can be traced to 2009 when the Army of the United States where in search of a better replacement for the IOTV. They tested a number of commercial vests and off-the-shelf plate carriers from different manufacturers. The carrier was to be used by the troops that were being deployed to Afghanistan.
At the end, the KDH Defense System Magnum TAC-1 plate carrier (SPCS) was favored over various competitors as a comfortable and easy-to-use alternative to the IOTV. The manufacturers were awarded with an initial $18.6 million contract for the production of about 57,000 plate carriers for the troops.
The SPCS is designed as a combination of soft armor carrier with Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPI). Although these plates were also used in the IOTV, it comes with more protective features in the SPCS. The plate carrier also allows the insertion of Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBI) for increased protection as well. Depending on the model of plate carrier, the ESBI can either be inserted in a side plate pouch or it can be used with a cummerbund.
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