NSRDEC-Developed Body Armor Saved Lives in the Battle of Mogadishu

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October 23, 2018 | Originally published by Date Line: October 23 on

On the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu, Matt Daly — who currently works in the Research, Development and Engineering Command Soldier Center”s Soldier Protection and Survivability Directorate at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center — reflected on his time at NSRDEC years ago as a captain in the Army and the role NSRDEC played in the development of the body armor used in the Battle of Mogadishu, which took place on Oct. 3-4 1993.

One of Matt’s duties while working at NSRDEC was to support the Ranger Body Army Project and design a new improved armor from what was commercially available.  Prior to fielding the Ranger Body Armor, no Army units had individual body armor as it was considered too expensive to outfit every Soldier in every combat arms unit.  NSRDEC succeeded in timely developing the new body armor.