Blackhawk Omega Vest

The omega vest is made of nylon material, the body of the vest is mesh with solid seems that are double stitched. A single ykk zipper runs the full length of the front of the vest, it is durable, hard wearing and seems to be of a plastic material construction. Black in colour and does not loose its colour due to wear, unlike metal coated that eventually show a silver colour. All fastenings are velcro, not ideal for silent opening, but secures the contents well and are not prone to snagging open. The front and rear panels of the vest are physically joined together at one point only, this being the shoulder straps. There is a 7 x 3inch velcro strip running from the top seem were the front and rear halves meet rearwards towards the back of the vest. Over this there is a similar strip that is made out of the same material as the pouches that measure 5.3/4 x 3inches, one end being permanently attatched at the shoulder seem. This is used to shorten the overall length of the vest so that a better fitting can be achieved, though this makes for a raised pleat that some people may find uncomfortable.

The rear of the vest has three 2inch wide stips of elasticated material, this has 3inch wide loops on a base of 3inch nylon material that cover the whole of the rear panel. There are 3 sets of these strips evenly spaced 3inches apart, they are there to attach extra carry systems, though i use mine to carry 6 first aid field dressings. On the hem of the vest there are a total of 6 belt loops, 2 on either front panels and 2 on the reverse, this allows a belt order to be carried, or just to stop it rising. The vest is attached at the sides by nylon cord, with spring closers so that the size maybe adjusted. The cord is thread through 6 re-inforced eye holes. On the shoulder seems, there have been sewn 2D rings, one on either side, this is to attach hydration bags or small day sacks. At the top of the rear section is a re-inforced drag handle so that an injured wearer can be dragged to safety.

The vest has 6 ammunition pouches on the front face, 3 on either side. They are 4.75inches deep and 3inches wide with 5x2inch velcro strip that rises 2inches up from the top hem of the pouch. The pouch cover is a 11x3inch nylon strip that has a 3x2inch velcro pad at the end to secure over the magazines. Each pouch will hold 2xM16 magazines or 1xAK47 magazine. There is a 11.5inch wide strip of elasticised material that runs from one side hem to the other and is looped under the velcro securing pad on the front face of each pouch, this can accommodate knives or other equipment that requires securing temperarily. At the bottom of each ammuntion pouch is a metal eye hole for drainage if immersed, these eye holes are found on the other 3 utility pouches found on the front face of the vest, 2 on the left front panel, top most being the smallest and the lower left being the largest. On the right you have a large padded hawktex sniper shoulder pad, with a medium utility pouch located below. Inside each section of the vest there are compartments where ballistic panels or maps and other pieces of equipment maybe stored, each front panel has a 11inch long x 8inch high poachers pouch with a zipper fastener while the rear panels pouch measures 13inches wide x 17inches high.

It has to be remembered that any LBE is only a frame that has been put together to carry required equipment on specific tasks. There are few vests that are/or could be called all round performers. On this vest you will notice that i have converted the vest to carry a smoke grenade on either side of the vest. I choose to carry magazines in the pouches instead of other equipment. On the whole this vest is ideal for carrying large ammunition loads like 12xM4 magazines for example.

It is ideally suited to use in enclosed spaces and for vehicular use, though with a belt order attached this would cause some problems. This vest would be ideal for a game that doesn't require a large amount of equipment to be carried. A day sack could be carried but due to the design of the vest it could be uncomfortable over prolonged periods.

The vest is available in Black, Tan or OD Green. The model shown is no longer available in this form, it has been improved from ideas that Blackhawk customers have given due to its popularity in Iraq.

To this one I have added a single magazine pouch that is attached to the nylon adjusting cords on the left side to use as a radio pouch.

As stated this vest is definately an ammunition carrier, for CQB or a small commercial site that has high intensity games, this vest would be ideal, bu for a longer game where more equipment is needed (rather than just ammo) this vest is not the best design. Though with a bit of thought and sewing you could convert it to a reasonable tactical vest for use at AOA.