Improved Outer Tactical Vest

Improved Outer Tactical Vest
An IOTV outfitted in a MultiCam camo scheme that has MOLLE with neck, shoulder, groin and lower back protectors attached
Type	Bulletproof vest
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	2007–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) Iraq War Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Designed	2007
Manufacturer	Point Blank Body Armor, BAE Systems, KDH Defense Systems, Protective Products Enterprises, UNICOR and Creative Apparel Associates
Produced	2007–present
Variants	Universal Camoflauge Pattern (Until 2019) Operational Camoflauge Pattern (2016-Present)

The Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) is an enhanced version of, and a replacement for, the older Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) component of the Interceptor multi-threat body armor system, as fielded by the United States Army beginning in the mid-2000s. The IOTV is compatible with the Deltoid and Axillary Protector System (DAPS) components, ESAPI (Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert), Enhanced Side Ballistic Inserts (ESBI), as well as the OTV's groin protector. A flame-resistant standalone shirt, the Army Combat Shirt (ACS), was designed in the late 2000s specifically for use with the IOTV.

The OTV design was considered insufficient and lacking in certain areas, which led to the IOTV's development and fielding beginning in 2007. The IOTV is currently produced by Point Blank Body Armor, BAE Systems,^[1] KDH Defense Systems,^[2] Protective Products Enterprises,^[3] UNICOR and Creative Apparel Associates. The IOTV first saw action in combat with U.S. Army ground combat units in from mid-2007^[4] onward and currently remains the standard body armor type used by regular U.S. Army ground combat units overseas, although the new Modular Scalable Vest is set to replace it in the coming years.