Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
4/18/2009 6:22:31 PM EDT
What Happened to Dragon Skin...I've heard some many different stories. Is it true that a certain level has been classified top secret.  I saw several stories on dragon skin tests and it looked very promising. Then the army shoots it down and says it failed... What's the scoop arfcom?
4/18/2009 6:22:54 PM EDT
[#1]
too costly?

too Heavy?
4/18/2009 6:23:15 PM EDT
[#2]
In on one.
4/18/2009 6:23:17 PM EDT
[#3]
I read is was heavy as fuck.

There was something about it failing to meet Level 4 IIRC.
4/18/2009 6:26:01 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
I read is was heavy as fuck.

There was something about it failing to meet Level 4 IIRC.


Please explain I'm not on par with level specs
4/18/2009 6:27:18 PM EDT
[#5]
It fell apart on stress tests, 150F and the glue came apart
4/18/2009 6:27:27 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
I read is was heavy as fuck.

There was something about it failing to meet Level 4 IIRC.


I read it was less heavy then Kevlar and plates.
4/18/2009 6:27:36 PM EDT
[#7]
It did not pass Army testing, I think it failed to perform at 120deg F.

Kharn
4/18/2009 6:32:24 PM EDT
[#8]
I heard it was temperature related, like people were saying. Degraded under heat.
4/18/2009 6:33:24 PM EDT
[#9]
dragons get especially pissed at adventurers wearing armor made from dragon hide and actively hunt down such people
so it's too risky

4/18/2009 6:36:08 PM EDT
[#10]
It's very expensive.  Our PD looked at it when our SWAT entry armor was due to be replaced.  This was in late 07 and the price was $5100 per set.  Crazy expensive.
4/18/2009 6:39:10 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I read is was heavy as fuck.

There was something about it failing to meet Level 4 IIRC.


Please explain I'm not on par with level specs


It 'failed' The Army's testing to stop M2 AP because the adhesive that holds the discs together could not take being heated to 120 degrees. The weight varies by model of vest. They made a number of different ones using 'Dragon's Skin' that have different amounts of 'rifle rated' coverage.

They have a youtube video that better explains it.
4/18/2009 6:39:41 PM EDT
[#12]
heard from "a source" said it was total crap.

this "source" also was the owner of a body armour co. that didnt produce dragon skin.


meh
4/18/2009 6:40:47 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
dragons get especially pissed at adventurers wearing armor made from dragon hide and actively hunt down such people
so it's too risky





Geek!
4/18/2009 6:41:33 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
What Happened to Dragon Skin...I've heard some many different stories. Is it true that a certain level has been classified top secret.  I saw several stories on dragon skin tests and it looked very promising. Then the army shoots it down and says it failed... What's the scoop arfcom?


It didn't live up to the hype in actual testing and use. It's heavy, bulky, and doesn't live up to the marketing. (Like that FutureWeapons demo where they used a trainer grenade on the vest and not a REAL M67) The NIJ actually decertified the only certified DS product.

4/18/2009 6:43:24 PM EDT
[#15]
We heard it all but I remember doing a search on dragon skin about a year back maybe less, and the correct me if I'm wrong but i believe the army was letting infantry buy (they was giving the person $1000 to help fork out for the body armor of their choice) and this guy bought it, complained it was too heavy. Sold it on ebay for $2500 when he originally paid $4500 for it. said it was way too bulky and heavy. Food for thought, We wear IBA's and it's already a bitch enough too be in 100 degree heat and the fuckers weigh 20lbs+ and dragonskin is somewhere close to 40lbs. To hell with that noise, especially when you been hearing bad things about it.
4/18/2009 6:43:32 PM EDT
[#16]
Quoted:
Please explain I'm not on par with level specs


Check out the chart here.

It essentially is a level III product which is sub-optimal in a level IV world....and that's IF the individual plates don't end up shifting around, which is what happened in the Army tests.
4/18/2009 6:44:48 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
Quoted:
What Happened to Dragon Skin...I've heard some many different stories. Is it true that a certain level has been classified top secret.  I saw several stories on dragon skin tests and it looked very promising. Then the army shoots it down and says it failed... What's the scoop arfcom?


It didn't live up to the hype in actual testing and use. It's heavy, bulky, and doesn't live up to the marketing. (Like that FutureWeapons demo where they used a trainer grenade on the vest and not a REAL M67) The NIJ actually decertified the only certified DS product.



We used M67's in BCT as training grenades. Army doesn't use grenades anymore. At least we never have and I'm 21B (combat engineers) Blowing shit up is what we do.
4/18/2009 6:45:16 PM EDT
[#18]
Junk and hype, with a good marketing department, and a 'anti-Bush military' Media...
4/18/2009 6:47:35 PM EDT
[#19]
I believe maybe Dragonskin *may* have potential. I never even seen it so personally I don't know. I just have to go with what the higher ups say, however the AA12 now that's something I would like to get my hands on.
4/18/2009 6:49:59 PM EDT
[#20]
seems like if it got hit at an angle the bullet could slide threw the scales.
4/18/2009 6:50:38 PM EDT
[#21]
It was very heavy, very expensive, and it didn't hold up to heat.

The Army banned it after Pinnacle refused to provide testing samples to prove that it would do what they said it did. The NIJ also revoked their certification.
4/18/2009 6:54:38 PM EDT
[#22]
It also didn't help when DS's owner/inventor was a raving lunatic.  When he tried taking his shenanigans to public via web forums, the jig was up.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
4/18/2009 6:59:50 PM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
seems like if it got hit at an angle the bullet could slide threw the scales.


IIRC there was indeed an issue with shots from an angle when DS was tested.
4/18/2009 7:02:10 PM EDT
[#24]
Quoted:
Army doesn't use grenades anymore.


Huh? What planet do you live on?

4/18/2009 7:02:51 PM EDT
[#25]
They are talking about it now on the military channel right now!
4/18/2009 7:11:43 PM EDT
[#26]
Somebody dicking around with the time machine again?
4/18/2009 7:21:09 PM EDT
[#27]
Oh, it passes all the tests and then some!

Dragonskin IS expensive. It weighs about the same as the interceptor system. It is custom made for each individual and there are tons of options available IF you have the cash. It does stop just about everything. It doesn't fall apart at 120F. It doesn't let projectiles through at an angle. It IS the best system on the market that isn't on the market. LEO and Military Only!

It is made by Pinnacle Armor out of Fresno. There are several levels and several series within the levels. I have seen it, and seen the science and seen it under test. It works. The army won't buy it because the almighty dollar is worth more in their pockets than protecting the guys in the field. The tests were BS.

Ask the guy who invented the Interceptor Armor which is currently fielded by the Military what he would wear if he was in harms way. He said Dragonskin.
4/18/2009 7:38:43 PM EDT
[#28]
I watched News video's after the Army said Dragonskin was inferior where they had independent tests done and the armor performed flawlessly, much better than the interceptor system ever could.

Whats more, the very man who invented the interceptor system said plainly that if he went into combat tomorrow he would damn well be wanting to wear dragonskin.

Even after the Dragonskin "Failed" the tests supposedly. A certain general's personal guards were all wearing it for some odd reason. When found out, the general claimed "He wasn't aware of it"

Defense contractors are making heavy money off of the current system, and they have political clout. They very much want to protect their moneymaker and probably influenced dragonskins "failed tests"

Remember your talking about the same equipment procurement system that didn't pass out cleaning kits with the original AR's because they "didn't need to be cleaned"

4/18/2009 7:54:36 PM EDT
[#29]
yeah i heard stuff too. its heavy and looks like you get bad elbow clearance, scales delaminating, but ive never worn it, and i wont. i prefer the ceradyne plates. besides dragons are teh dork.
4/18/2009 8:30:03 PM EDT
[#30]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Army doesn't use grenades anymore.


Huh? What planet do you live on?

Ya... I was issued two frags when in Iraq......