CANINE COMMANDO

SEAL Dogs' $30,000 Armor

Furry soldiers wear Kevlar, headphones, cameras in battle.

War dogs are a Navy SEAL’s best friend, but the dogs’ best friend? High-tech body armor. The tactical vests that a canine commando was wearing when it took part in the operation that killed Osama bin Laden cost as much as $30,000 and included headphones for receiving commands, night-vision cameras, and armor that can stop bullets—all in less than seven pounds. A Canadian company called K9 Storm provides the vests for the U.S. and other countries, as well as a special harness that allows a handler to rappel from a helicopter with a dog strapped to his chest. And while some models even include stealth technology, there are even more elaborate versions, including delivery systems for medical supplies.