# Re the fhe failure of the Dragon Skin Armor to gain US Military certification - a question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-fhe-failure-of-the-dragon-skin-armor-to-gain-us-military-certification-a-question/758334>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 25, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-fhe-failure-of-the-dragon-skin-armor-to-gain-us-military-certification-a-question/758334 "2016-06-25T17:09:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-fhe-failure-of-the-dragon-skin-armor-to-gain-us-military-certification-a-question/758334/1 "2016-06-25T17:09:28Z")

</div>

[Wiki is here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DragonSkin)

In reading it I’m not clear on exactly what the final basis for rejection was. The wiki talks (variously) about how in the Army tests the Dragon Skin Carbide plates did not meet quality specs, the manufacturing of the vests did not meet specs and that extreme temperatures could cause the vests to fail but no info is provided as to how the vests failed when being shot at.

I’m not an engineer so maybe I’m missing a point here. The final test engineer seems adamant it’s not a good armor for a the army.

> [@](#):
>
> On June 6, 2006 in comments posted on an online discussion forum, Karl Masters, director of engineering for Program Manager - Soldier Equipment, said he recently supervised the retest and commented on it. “I was recently tasked by the army to conduct the test of the 30 Dragon Skin SOV-3000 level IV body armor purchased for T&E [tests and evaluation],” Masters wrote. “My day job is acting product manager for Interceptor Body Armor. I’m under a gag order until the test results make it up the chain. I will, however, offer an enlightened and informed recommendation to anyone considering purchasing an SOV-3000 Dragon Skin—don’t. I do not recommend this design for use in an AOR with a 7.62×54R AP threat and an ambient temperature that could range to 120 F. I do, however, highly recommend this system for use by insurgents…”[18]

It’s now 10 years later so presumably the gag order is off. How specifically did Dragon Skin poop the bed in these tests?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-fhe-failure-of-the-dragon-skin-armor-to-gain-us-military-certification-a-question/758334/2 "2016-06-25T17:40:28Z")

</div>

> **[dragon\_skin\_release\_000121may07.pdf](https://www.professionalsoldiers.com/files/dragon_skin_release_000121may07.pdf)**
>
> 4.16 MB

Does that answer the question?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-the-fhe-failure-of-the-dragon-skin-armor-to-gain-us-military-certification-a-question/758334/3 "2016-06-25T21:55:30Z")

</div>

> [@Ravenman](#):
>
> [http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/files/dragon\_skin\_release\_000121may07.pdf](http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/files/dragon_skin_release_000121may07.pdf)
> 
> Does that answer the question?

Thanks!