Taiwan's new Special Forces uniforms

[FaxModem1]

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/83792567/

I like them, they're very GI: JOE's Cobra and/or Bond villain.



Though, of course, this means that the classic Bond ploy of knocking one out and stealing their uniform is now possible against the Taiwanese military.

[cosmicalstorm]

They need to check TV tropes before designing costumes.

[Grumman]

Though, of course, this means that the classic Bond ploy of knocking one out and stealing their uniform is now possible against the Taiwanese military.

They're special forces. They're the guys who would be sneaking around and stealing other people's uniforms.

And yeah, it is an impressive look. It makes me think of Frankenstein from the Death Race reboot.

[Iroscato]

Another case of fiction preceding reality, I guess - and a pretty cool one at that.

[Dr. Trainwreck]

Though, of course, this means that the classic Bond ploy of knocking one out and stealing their uniform is now possible against the Taiwanese military.

It has been possible with a balaclava for decades anyway.

[PeZook]

It's not like they graft the mask onto the soldier's face. Most of the time they'll be just...not worn, it's propably designed to be used by people in particular danger of being shot in the face, like the point man in room clearing or something. The rest of the guys will just wear balaclavas if at all necessary.

The rest of the uniform is just a uniform.

[Irbis]

Though, for bulletproof masks, it is really weird why they didn't just fit some eye protection to it. The eye holes look like they will direct every bullet hitting its edge straight to eyes, making them more, not less vulnerable.

For comparison, Russian helmet-mounted plate seems to offer much better protection while not impairing breathing and allowing you to wear gas mask:

[Pelranius]

Not covering the eyes rules out using tear gas, I imagine.

[Thanas]

They probably have goggles.

Also, moved to more appropriate forum.

[Pelranius]

They probably have goggles.

Also, moved to more appropriate forum.

Though that sort of begs the question on why don't they simply integrate the goggles into the mask? Would make slipping on the gear quicker.

[Wicked Pilot]

Though that sort of begs the question on why don't they simply integrate the goggles into the mask? Would make slipping on the gear quicker.

That's be great and all, but there's no place that I can see to put the filters...

[Zixinus]

Why do I get the impression that the Taiwanese couldn't actually buy proper masks, made this out of junk and told the soldiers it is bullet-resistant?

[LaCroix]

Why do I get the impression that the Taiwanese couldn't actually buy proper masks, made this out of junk and told the soldiers it is bullet-resistant?

These things are the good stuff - helmets with a visor usually give a lot less protection than this. With these masks, you actually need to hit someone in the eye to hurt him.
http://www.interamer.com/ballisticfacem ... afull.aspx

BTW - the russian design also rules out wearing a gas mask with the visor down - there is simply not enough space behind it.

[Ahriman238]

It's not just the general "faceless Legions of Terror" vibe I'm getting. That specific mask looks familiar. Now where do I know it from- Oh!



That guy.

[Elheru Aran]

Why do I get the impression that the Taiwanese couldn't actually buy proper masks, made this out of junk and told the soldiers it is bullet-resistant?

These things are the good stuff - helmets with a visor usually give a lot less protection than this. With these masks, you actually need to hit someone in the eye to hurt him.
http://www.interamer.com/ballisticfacem ... afull.aspx

BTW - the russian design also rules out wearing a gas mask with the visor down - there is simply not enough space behind it.

Why does it strike me, though, that if you get shot in the face, even wearing one of those Level 3 masks, that's still not a great thing? Leaving alone the idea of bullet fragments (which would probably fly *away* for the most part), the impact would likely give you a concussion and quite possibly break facial bones. This would depend on the ammunition in question, of course. I don't really see anything behind the mask to absorb the blow; it seems to be quite close to the face.

Better than dying, granted, but not much fun for whomever gets shot in the face. Not to mention that if they get into hand-to-hand, it provides a handy grab point for the other guy (though they shouldn't be getting into hand-to-hand in the first place).

The Russian design, although it doesn't cover quite as much of the face (chin is exposed), would seem to be superior in this respect-- if a bullet impacts it, the shock is transmitted through the helmet, which has been set up to absorb just that.

Of course the ideal design would probably be some sort of one-piece helmet that covers the whole head and integrates NBC protection, but visibility would be the big problem with that. Haven't they tried things like that before?

[LaCroix]

1st. Yes - the bullet would cause damage to your face, but it won't get through. These things can stop about anything that isn't a rifle (and some rifles, as well) -> Level IIIa

These masks are compatible with helmets, and are quite effective as night- time camoflage, which is probably intentional. If the Taiwanese want a gas mask, they need to drop the BP mask (and use helmets, instead). The Russian design doesn't obstruct periferal view as much, doesn't constrict breathing as much, and easily allows for a gas mask (but with the visor up, which sets them on equal protection footing with the Taiwanese). On the other hand, the Russian design has drawbacks in protection, as it does not cover the whole face, and a visor can be knocked aside. I suppose it's also a detection hazard as the visor might be reflective.

Also, transparent visors usually do have less protection, Level II, but since the Russians probably face AK 47 when they go against armed threats, it wouldn't matter, anyway.

tl;dr - Protection is always a trade-off.
The optimum armor would look like a bomb squad suit, but that would be bad for various reason, too. And don't even start thinking powered armor. That's where real fun begins...

[Highlord Laan]

So much for peripheral vision. Wearing on of those would drive me insane inside of ten minutes.

[MrDakka]

Of course the ideal design would probably be some sort of one-piece helmet that covers the whole head and integrates NBC protection, but visibility would be the big problem with that. Haven't they tried things like that before?

All of the future soldier programs are trying to accomplish this and all sorts of other goals, but I don't think anyone has actually built and released working units for their military. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Soldier

A little dated, but I think this is one of the earlier concept mockups: http://www.cryeassociates.com/09.html

[K. A. Pital]

This still wins