Bill would reform testing of body armor

[unhappycamper]

Bill would reform testing of body armor
By Michelle Tan - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Apr 24, 2008 6:04:24 EDT

Legislation calling for a uniform way to test body armor for the troops was introduced Wednesday, Rep. Joseph Courtney, D-Conn., announced.

Courtney, who is sponsoring the Providing Responsible Oversight and Testing of Equipment for Combat Troops (PROTECT) Act of 2008, said at least a dozen other lawmakers had signed off as co-sponsors for the bill.

The PROTECT Act will aim to “reform the process that the Pentagon presently is using to deal with selection and testing of body armor for our ground forces, Army and Marines,” Courtney said during a conference call with reporters.

The bill will bring the testing under one agency, the Director of Operational Testing and Evaluation.

DOT&E, part of the Defense Department, is responsible for, among other things, issuing operational test and evaluation policy and procedures, reviewing and analyzing results of tests conducted for each major DoD acquisition program, and providing independent assessments to the Defense Secretary, according to its Web site.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/army_bodyarmor_testing_042308w/