spine system, which is linked to the waist belt and helps spread the load of the body armour or daysac across the back, shoulders, and hips, which can be adjusted through a hand controller to their preference. Virtus was officially issued in May 2016. Design The body armour system is designed and manufactured by CQC Ltd, a long-standing UK-based manufacturer that has provided various items for the Ministry of Defence, with some additional batches produced by Solo International Ltd. The Osprey system is modular and built around two vest halves which, when assembled, cover the wearer's torso. The vest has Pouch Attachment Ladder System-type webbing loops stitched to the outside to act as attachment points for compatible pouches and accessories, removing the need to wear a webbing harness or assault vest over the armour (though a "Load Carrying Tactical Vest" was issued with early iterations of the armour). A grab handle on the rear of the vest allows an injured wearer to be dragged behind cover by their comrades. Fastex buckles on the vest may be used for the fitting of a hydration bladder or a PLCE daysack pouch on the rear and a respirator haversack on the bottom left, and there is also provision for attaching a rank slide to the vest. The body armour consists of front and rear soft armour panels, which are inserted into the vest (preferably after the hard armour plates have been added) and secured with the aid of Velcro hook and loop fasteners, and front and rear ceramic hard armour plates which are inserted into dedicated pockets (external pockets on Mk 1 to Mk 3A vests, internal pockets on Mk 4 and Mk 4A vests) and protected by a rubber-edged cover intended to avoid wear and tear in routine use. These plates are of sufficient size to cover both the upper and lower torso. The smaller hard armour plates that were used with Enhanced Combat Body Armour are inserted into side pockets (integral to Mk 1, Mk 2, Mk 3, and Mk 3A vests, integrated into cummerbunds issued with Mk 4 vest) or dedicated side pouches (Mk 4A vest) for additional lower torso protection, though they can also be used as an alternative to the larger Osprey front and rear armour plates, with the relevant pockets being located in the same place as those for the Osprey-specific plates. Optional collar attachments (available in