I was a little surprised to learn that the standard issue G.I body armor isn't really designed to stop the sort of attacks our soldiers are suffering in modern-day battle. It makes sense, I suppose, since vests designed to stop bullets doesn't do much to deflect "superheated ... tiny liquid balls of metal that melt the skin, muscle and tendons right off." Fortunately, Sandia National Labs and the Army are testing out new body armor add-ons (sort of like aftermarket ground effects, minus the neon lights) that are designed to protect exposed soldiers' extremities against rocket-propelled grenades and roadside bombs.

DefenseTech has a full story on the armor peripherals, including a lovely anecdote about a dead pig's leg encased in an armored gauntlet, then placed two-and-a-half feet away from an exploding anti-tank shell. Now that's good eatin'.

Read - In the Pod House [DefenseTech]

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