Saving soldiers' lives?

[John A Silkstone]

SAVING LIVES

Go to the following site and watch the demonstration.

If this stuff really works, then it’s a bigger step for mankind than reaching the moon.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/newsletter/issue17/liquidarmor.html

Silky

[Reloader]

This looks promising Silky, I hope they do manage to develop it further.

[Matzos]

I would take years before any UK forces were issued with equipment like this.

[Bombardier]

Looks like good kit but as has already been said, we wont see it in operational use for a long long time.

[John A Silkstone]

THe above remarks could well be true. therefore I have sent the following letter to my MP, if all the UK members do the same. perhaps it will help to push it along. Copy and paste the letter and make whatever alterations you wish.

Silky


12th July 2006

KEVLAR LIQUID ARMOUR


Dear Edward,

I have been watching a new body armour being displayed on American television.

This new armour is flexible and is suitable for covering the arms, legs and lower torso.

The benefits of this armour are paramount for our serving personal in the field of battle.

The one question that will raise its head in parliament and the War department is the cost. However, I don’t see the cost coming into this equation for the following reasons.

1. Not all serving personnel will need the protection as it will be passed onto the next person going on active duty.
2. The saving of lives will reduce the amount of money spent of medical care.
3. Morale will be lifted and a happy service man will perform better giving a greater value for his money.

The list is endless but the top priority must be the saving of our young men and women’s lives.

I would like you to assist in getting the protection for our service personnel as quick as possible.

Many time I have stood by your side at the Gainsborough cenotaph as we have laid our poppy wreaths in memory of our fallen ones. With this new armour perhaps we will have less names to remember in the future.

To see a demonstration of this armour go to the following site:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/newsletter/issue17/liquidarmor.html


Yours faithfully



John A Silkstone

[Matzos]

Thanks Silky solthum

Just sent off a copy to my MP, lets see if I get a reply :rolleyes:

[ArcticWolf]

Thanks Silky,

I just had to figure out who my MP was first... :o

Just sent off an email to him.
Who knows, he may even reply... :eek: when he gets the time... ale;
kilt;

[Matzos]

Thanks Silky solthum

Just sent off a copy to my MP, lets see if I get a reply :rolleyes:

Just got my reply, my MP said that he would be speaking to the Shadow Defence Secretary, who in turn will pass my question on to the Defence Secretary.

I await that reply

[TankBuster]

well it sounds a lot better than that junk thats made of spider silk protiens. It looks like it maybe the thing we need for the future(Y)

[John A Silkstone]

Hi Matzos,

I have not heard from my MP yet. I know that they have been on holiday so I’ll give him another day or two.

Silky

[ArcticWolf]

Hi everyone,

I've not heard from my MP either.
He doesn't make as much public appearances as my former MP Robin Cook (rest his soul), so I'm not sure what his reaction would be to my email and this subject...:confused:

Would be interesting to see if this actually gets discussed some day in the future.
AW

[Matzos]

Well I got another reply from my MP and a letter from the Rt Hon Adam Ingram MP Minister of State for the Armed Forces, who replied to my MP with the following.

“There has been quite a large amount of interest recently through the newspapers and other media about this technology. It is based on compounds which are known as shear thickening fluids (STF) and, there is scope for them to be used in a wide range of applications. Their potential as part of body armour was recognised some time ago.

The website that Mr Gladwin refers to implies that body armour based on STF could be almost ready to enter service; also, it demonstrates (in laboratory conditions) a bullet being stopped by STF-treated Kevlar. However, both points belie the fact that the concept is still in an early stage of development and we do not believe that it has matured to a level where it is be ready to be incorporated into armour.

We, too, are considering the possibility of using STF in future body armour; it is one of a number of novel technologies that might be beneficial. However, the work is at a very early stage and much has to be done to establish which of these, if any, would really provide the desired improvements in versatility and protection. Thus, it would be some time before body armour derived from this work could be produced.

Mr Gladwin can be reassured that we seek and adopt the best future capabilities that meet our requirements. We take the protection of our service personnel very seriously. With many years experience on operations, UK training, tactics and personnel protection are among the best in the world. This has continued through the recent introduction of new combat body armour, known as OSPREY, which is a world class system. Commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan now have a range of body armours available (standard Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA), OSPREY and the KESTREL system for top cover sentries and B vehicle crews). This enables them to choose the appropriate balance between protection and mobility depending on the specific operational circumstances, threats and missions.

I know that it will be disappointing to Mr Gladwin to learn that STF-based body armour is not going to be in service soon but I would be grateful if you could pass on my thanks to him for taking time to ensure that we are aware of the existence of the technology.

Signed

The Rt Hon Adam Ingram MP”

After Tony Blair pledged "every support and every protection" to British troops on operations, I for one will be keeping an open mind until I see actions and not words.

Read more on PM’s address to the troops - BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5414974.stm)