Noah Shachtman's site: Dragon Skin: Proven Tough?


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Edited by Noah Shachtman \| Contact

Dragon Skin: Proven Tough?

The seemingly-endlessly soap opera behind the new-fangled Dragon Skin body armor has taken yet another plot twist.

In our last episode, Army program managers in charge of a competing body armor system were publicly dissing the Dragon -- while they were in the middle of supposedly impartial tests to gauge the armor's effectiveness. "To anyone considering purchasing an SOV 3000 Dragon Skin - don't," one program manager said on an online forum. "I do, however, highly recommend this system for use by insurgents."

But the National Institute of Justice, which has long rated bullet-proofing systems, has come up with a different opinion, according to Soldiers for the Truth. Within a few weeks, the NIJ will formally certify for Level III protection -- good enough to stop AK-47 fire. If I'm not mistaken, that would make the Dragon Skin the first soft armor, without plate inserts, to get that high of a rating. And it would certainly call into question the Army managers' disparaging remarks about the armor -- after Dragon Skin went from ballyhooed to banned to grudgingly accepted for testing, all in a matter of months. Stay tuned...

Latest Comments

Wow. Old thread but thanks for using one of my coprighted pics...Just come by our forum and search dragonskin for the article.

Posted by: ct at December 6, 2007 1:50 AM

Giving the vest the Stoner treatment. When Stoner was trying to get his M16 into the military, the Army fixed the test for it to fail and in military circles attempted to rip the the system to shreds. Very cruel.

Posted by: Jason S at July 28, 2007 12:51 AM

I read in an internet article that a complete suit of Dragon Skin armor runs for more than $5,000. This includes a protective collar, an optional weight bearing rig, optional lightweight SAPI plates, backpack plates, and an armored protective blanket. However, the basic Dragon Skin vest for torso protection alone, costs about $2,000.

Posted by: victor at February 19, 2007 11:22 AM

Please cut thru this bullshit and give us a price and a source for basic protection and two upgrades. IF you want to sell this stuff quit concealing the price.

Posted by: Gary at February 16, 2007 4:37 AM

I would just like to comment about the state of what we are going to the field in Iraq wearing. I am an Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. On my upcoming deployment to Iraq I will be wearing the interceptor otv not in the desert brown color, but in the old woodland camo pattern. Supply had a groin protector, but did not have the throat or shoulder protectors. I would also like to add for the benefit of those talking about the coverage of the interceptor that the shoulder, throat, and groin attachments are not rated for ballistics. That is a big deal when that is where the snipers and insurgents aim because they no the SAPI plates don't protect there. I don't know what the answer is. Dragon skin sounds like it could be the real deal (the Discovery Channel's spot on the system was unbelievable), but without the research from a Pinnacle-free/Military free testing group it isn't proven. All I know is that when I get to Iraq myself and 75-80% of the Marines in my unit will stick out like sore thumbs because of the inadequate nature of the military's supply. I really hope SAPI plates and the interceptor are better that dragon skin, because it looks like we are going to need them to be.

Posted by: Patrick at February 14, 2007 11:38 PM

Dragon Skin: Proven Tough?

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