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Source premiered the Virtus Soldier System at DSEi 2015 40110151.


| 2015
Defence & Security News - (UK)
 
Source premiered the Virtus Soldier System at DSEi 2015
Source Tactical Gear showcased for the first time at DSEi 2015 the Virtus Soldier System. The personal protection and load carriage system will equip the dismounted soldiers of the British Army. The first kits have started being delivered after rigorous testing by the Mercian, Yorkshire and Parachute Regiments, the Royal Artillery and Engineers and the Royal Marines.
     
Source premiered the Virtus Soldier System at DSEi 2015 1
Credit: Source
     

The UK MoD has awarded a contract for 34,000 kits until 2017, whereas the total requirement is for 84,000 kits until 2027. Thus, it is expected that the whole of the Army will eventually be equipped in Multi-Terrain Pattern with it.

Source Tactical Gear is the main contractor of the programme. Other companies from the US and the UK take part in the project producing some of the 50 items in total, comprising the Virtus system. In general, Virtus consists of the Head Subsystem, the Load Carriage, the Hydration, the Extremities, the Torso Protection, the Chassis, the Pouches Subsystems and a DWD stands for Dynamic Weight Distribution. Given the fact that Revision will supply the Batlskin Cobra Plus helmet for the Head Subsystem, it is expected that the Future Soldier Vision helmet will be based on that.

Source premiered the Virtus Soldier System at DSEi 2015 2

The Virtus System offers the same protection with the Osprey system. However, it is lighter by 4.7 kg., slimmer in profile and more agile allowing the soldier to move the body more easily. Definitely, one of the most important parts is the Dismounted Weight Distribution system. It is a part in the shape of a human spine connecting the vest and the padded belt, thus transferring the weight from the shoulders to the hips.

An array of backpacks, hydration bladders and pouches are provided so that the user can customize its equipment according to the operational requirements. All of the items presented at DSEi were in Multicam or the MTP (Multi Terrain Pattern) patterns, with the exception of a few that were in Coyote.

Further improvements are expected in the future. Virtus Band 2 will bring new armour and plates that are currently under development and are expected to further reduce the weight. Finally, Virtus Band 3 will focus on the electronics databus and batteries of the system making it suitable for the future soldier vision.

Source premiered the Virtus Soldier System at DSEi 2015 3

 

 

 

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