Honeywell Spectra-Shield Body Armor Takes A Bigger Hit

When I hear the buzz phrase "improvised explosive device," I think of this kid I knew growing up. He was fascinated with explosives. One day while packing match heads into a pipe, he blasted a fist-size hole in his thigh. It ended happily enough. The doctors managed to save his leg. The improvised explosive devices (IEDs) being used against our troops in Iraq pack far more of a wallop. Instead of being fueled by kitchen matches, they typically consist of a pair of artillery shells that are set off by a remote-control detonator. Fortunately, the many soldiers who have crossed paths with Iraqi IEDs have been clad in armored jackets, and have had fast access to medical treatment. This has saved their lives. As the first year of the war draws to a close, the death toll stands at about 600. For the families and friends of each fallen soldier, the deaths are personal tragedies. For the Pentagon, the number of fatalities is astounding--astoundingly low.

Estimating casualties is as basic to the combat equation as estimating ammunition. During the Civil War, generals expected two soldiers would be wounded for every fighter killed. By the war in Afghanistan, the ratio of wounded to killed improved to about 3-to-1. Better medicine kept ahead of more powerful weapons. In Iraq, the ratio is an impressive 6-to-1. Body armor made a difference.