Improved Outer Tactical Vest

The Army began fielding the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) in the fourth quarter of 2007. The IOTV is a side-opening vest that provides a greater area of coverage than the Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) and weighs three pounds less.

The IOTV enhancements over the OTV include:

a reduction in weight of 3.8 to 3 lbs depending on size,
an internal waistband which moves more of the weight from the shoulders to the waist,
a mesh lining which aid ventilation,
side-opening which increases soft ballistic coverage and adjusts for better comfort,
a quick release handle by which Soldiers can instantly remove the vest in emergency situations,
integrated side plate carriers which decrease the vest's profile and allow better arm movement,
a lower back protector which extends the vest's coverage by 52 square inches,
a higher cut in the underarm area which eliminate the need to attach the axillary (underarm) protector to the deltoid axillary protector set,
integrated throat protector, and
increased number of available sizes for Soldiers with long torsos.

one base vest assembly
- a front base vest outershell assembly with a removable soft ballistic insert
- a back base vest outershell assembly with a removable soft ballistic insert
- a left and a right side plate carrier
- a left and a right elastic internal waistband
- a quick release cable assembly
ancillary equipment
- a front and a back yoke/collar assembly
- a lower back protector assembly
- a groin protector assembly
- two deltoid protector assemblies

TM 10-8470-208-10. Operator Manual for Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) and Improved Outer Tactical Vest Gen II (IOTV Gen II), a Part of the Interceptor Body Armor System
IOTV Sizing and Fitting Procedures. 21 Apr. 2009 [pdf]
"A Commercial IOTV Cleaning Study". 2010. [pdf]

http://www.army.mil/article/2497/army-to-field-improved-body-armor/
http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/JulAug07/alog_news.html
http://www.army.mil/aps/08/information_papers/transform/Interceptor_Body_Armor.html
http://www.army.mil/article/7119/soldiers-of-europes-2nd-brigade-1st-armored-division-try-out-armys-improved-body-armor/
http://www.army.mil/article/8079/soldiers-trying-new-protective-vests-in-baghdad/
http://www.army.mil/aps/09/information_papers/interceptor_body_armor.html
http://peosoldier.armylive.dodlive.mil/2010/08/30/oefiotv/
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/iotv-interceptors-incremental-improvement-03381/
http://www.kdhdefensesystems.com/products/military/improved-outer-tactical-vest/
http://www.pointblanksolutionsinc.com/Military/iotv.php