Protective armor plate exchange underway Published June 28, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Phyllis Hanson Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- A small number of Air Force-issued enhanced small arms protective insert plates are being exchanged this summer due to an unauthorized modification by the manufacturer, according to an Air Force logistics official. Initial records review indicates fewer than 600 plates are affected. While the armor plates, designed to stop multiple 7.62mm AK-47 rounds and resist armor-piercing bullets, have been tested and provide full ballistic protection, the manufacturer, ArmorWorks, will replace them in order to meet warranty requirements as well as all the physical characteristics specified in the contract, said Lt. Col. Shawna McGowan, the chief of the future programs branch in the materiel support division at Headquarters Air Force Logistics, or A4. The inspection, identification and segregation of affected plates will occur during transitions such as at the time of issue or turn in, and by command-wide inspections of existing inventories. Completion of all inspection actions is set for Aug 31. As there is no loss of ballistic protective capability on these plates, if replacements are not immediately available, affected plates will be used until replacement assets are available. Similar action was taken by Army and Navy officials regarding modified plates from ArmorWorks, Colonel McGowan said.