UK Defence Forum

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arfah wrote:IIRC, every soldier will have virtus.

I'm sceptical. I expect that some units will have to acquire them short term from the loan pool.

Isn't that normal procedure for the rear-echelon parts?

downsizer wrote:DPM is retro and old skool now.

I like to throw the odd piece on when visiting Army units to make the RSM geezer go spastic.

Baiting the RASMAN was always a risky business even for ruperts!?!!!

Years ago there were ballistic shorts developed to be worn over the uniform I guess with the idea of protecting major arteries ,Ive never seen them introduced though

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Found a video...

Makes me wonder how long it will be until soldiers gain the capability fighter pilots get with their head mounted displays. Probably not too far

Soldier Systems published an in-depth look at Virtus' body armour and load carriage:

http://soldiersystems.net/2015/09/22/so ... nd-virtus/

Also on Source's site:

http://blog.sourcetacticalgear.com/virt ... tish-army/

shark bait wrote:Makes me wonder how long it will be until soldiers gain the capability fighter pilots get with their head mounted displays. Probably not too far

A great way to illuminate yourself up, as a target with the bull's eye provided?

ArmChairCivvy wrote: A great way to illuminate yourself up, as a target with the bull's eye provided?

Almost right on cue they verge posted a video on a helmet that is mighty similar to what I mentioned. Clearly could have military applications, in fact DARPRA is working on something similar.

You are right about the target thing though, I guess they will find ways around that.

shark bait wrote:Makes me wonder how long it will be until soldiers gain the capability fighter pilots get with their head mounted displays. Probably not too far

Aren't some of the SAS guys in the Task Force Black photos wearing a set of NVGs that works a bit like that?

Or was that a mall ninja myth?

The AN/PVS-21 that was used by UKSF does allow you to project display information from a SVGA/VGA or NTSC/PAL video source, on to the eyepieces as a HUD overlay. But the actual information displayed is processed by external devices rather than being an inbuilt feature of the NVG - the PVS-21 HUD feature is just a standard definition (800x600) display adaptor that you can wear over your face.

I mean you could run a standard VGA cable from a laptop to the PVS-21 and view this website on it instead of a TV or monitor, but you'd be using the laptop to actually do all the actual processing and interactive stuff. You can see a chap here hooked up his iPhone to look at some boobs trough the HUD : https://gearnerds.wordpress.com/2012/03 ... httechnik/

True HMD systems contain sensors (head tracking, eye tracking etc.) that do automatically input information to the computer that effect the information shown in the display, as well as using information from other systems - Creating a true man-machine interface, rather than just being a TV you wear in front of your eyes.

Wrekin762 wrote:True HMD systems contain sensors (head tracking, eye tracking etc.) that do automatically input information to the computer that effect the information shown in the display, as well as using information from other systems - Creating a true man-machine interface, rather than just being a TV you wear in front of your eyes.

Exactly, and as it is so complicated, sensor fusion HUDs will be first worked for specialist uses, like target acquisition where IR, laser range finding, magnetic compass bearing are all shown together, not like this
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis. ... 6608-5.png

The infantry man quick-wins are in modularly layered helmets that allow for acoustic enabling devices to be fitted when needed:
- superhearing
- sniper detection... for this latter one HUD integration would be a real bonus

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arfah wrote:Goodbye dirty, smelly, toxic heximaine

We always lead the way; the US army is onto their third fuel since the similar move in 1986
"
Reportedly - in 1986, the U.S. Army stopped using Hexamine fuel since they believed that Hexamine combustion could emit unsafe levels of Hydrogen Cyanide gas (HCN) in small 2-man tents."
- no wonder they tell the military to cook with the lid on (it is not for saving energy!)

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arfah wrote:The food in camp wasn't good. They really need a corps of chefs

You could always through the book at them
http://www.quartermaster.army.mil/jccoe ... _index.pdf
- I haven't used it as the recipes are sized for a platoon

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Another video on Virtus. This one seems to be something that Source specifically made to brief UK personnel who are receiving the kit (and appears to be censored in a couple of places in the public version of the video).

I Think the ballistic vest should be a little lower perhaps. Also, why does everyone have to carry the M4 short barrel: a truly fucking awful gun unless the enemy is right in front of you.

That was a v good summary vid. Whether you are an athlete (they mean hiking) or a soldier, the same applies (you only need a couple of the 14 items for hiking... the rucksacks are available upto 90 L sizes from Source).

The vid passes over it very fast (manufactured in x number of countries), but Source (the chosen provider) is an Israeli firm. I do not have a problem with that; why do they have to hide it?

jimthelad wrote:why does everyone have to carry the M4 short barrel

Heh-he. makes everything else that you are carrying look smaller as, intuitively, the viewer will think it is an M16 or similar.

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3 Rifles will be using it on excercise in the US next month 150 or so guys, Video on forces tv (link below)

British Soldiers Test New Lighter Body Armour


The British Army is becoming streamlined, as units have begun to receive the new Virtus body armour system.


Pictured is a front view of a soldier wearing full Virtus body armour

Pictured is a front view of a soldier wearing full Virtus body armour
It is lighter, slimmer and more manoeuvrable than older models and 3rd Battalion The Rifles (3 RIFLES) are some of the first soldiers to receive it.

Ali Gibson joined them as they tried it out on exercise in Wales.


Virtus uses the same camouflage as the old Osprey body armour, and the same plates.

However, this is a new and improved soldier. This kit weighs 5kg less, with more optional head and face protection.

Troops can balance the weight of their kit better, and only use the parts relevant to their role.

The system also employs a new quick-release mechanism - a pin positioned on the chest that when pulled releases the entire body kit.

http://forces.tv/27435910