At 1.15 kg / 2.54 lbs empty, the A-18 Skanda is one of the lightest full-coverage carriers in the Ars Arma lineup. Light does not mean stripped down. The rectangular plate bags extend fragmentation coverage roughly 25% beyond the plate footprint, so soft armor panels protect areas most lightweight rigs leave exposed. Both plate bags and cummerbunds accept soft armor inserts, stacking layered ballistic protection across the full carrier footprint.

Swap your placard in seconds with the QASM and G-Hook interface, drop in your SAPI / ESAPI plates, and you have a rig that handles range day and weekend MilSim ops without bogging you down. AirMesh 3D-woven shoulder straps spread pressure across a wider contact area, so your traps stay comfortable through long sessions. A left shoulder Fastex buckle and elastic waist adjustment straps let you dial fit on the fly. Dual-circuit emergency doffing and a retractable extraction handle round out the safety side.

Features

1.15 kg / 2.54 lbs empty / one of the lightest carriers in the Ars Arma lineup.
Extended plate bags / rectangular design extends fragmentation coverage approximately 25% beyond the hard plate edge. Soft armor panels install in both plate bags and cummerbunds.
QASM + G-Hook placard interface / compatible with QASM and G-Hook front placards.
AirMesh 3D-woven shoulder straps / large-cell mesh distributes pressure across a wider contact area and provides ventilation.
Dual-circuit emergency doffing / two independent release circuits provide redundant rapid-removal capability. Retractable casualty extraction handle stows flush and deploys for casualty drag.
4-Way Stretch panels / stretch panels conform to the torso during movement in prone, kneeling, and transitional positions. Left shoulder Fastex buckle opens for don and doff. Elastic waist adjustment straps allow compression tuning.
Soft armor in plate bags and cummerbunds / soft ballistic panels sized larger than the hard plate extend fragmentation coverage beyond the plate footprint.

Specifications

Weight	1.15 kg / 2.54 lbs
Primary Material	500D Cordura (US-made Multicam / licensed A-TACS FG)
Shoulder Straps	AirMesh 3D-woven mesh
Hardware	Duraflex
Plate Bags	Universal (SAPI/ESAPI plates, one size)
Armor Compatibility	Hard plates + soft armor panels
Sizing	Cummerbunds: S/M / L/XL. Plate bags: Universal

Plate & Soft Armor Compatibility

The A-18 Skanda accepts SAPI/ESAPI plates in universal plate bags. One bag size fits medium through large. Soft armor panels install in both plate bags and cummerbunds, extending fragmentation coverage beyond the hard plate edge.

SAPI Size	Dimensions (in)	Dimensions (mm)
Medium	9.50" x 12.50"	241 x 318
Large	10.25" x 13.25"	260 x 337

System Integration

The A-18 Skanda is compatible with Ars Arma load distribution and protection accessories.

Load distribution (sold separately): The A-22 Half Harness Insert and telescoping struts transfer carrier weight to the A-24 Needletail Belt or A-19 Atlas Belt.

Ballistic protection modules (sold separately): The Skanda accepts the A-21 Gorzhet Neck Protection, A-23 Aylet Shoulder Protection, A-22 Plantain Abdominal Protection, and A-21 Clover Groin Protection.

Classic Carriers