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MultiCam - What You’ll Get

Friday, March 5th, 2010

In a recent interview with PEO Soldier’s COL William Cole and LTC Mike Sloane they detailed efforts to field complete ensembles of clothing and equipment in MultiCam required for combat patrols in Afghanistan. This first article will discuss what is being issued.

In addition to four FR ACUs and Army Combat Shirts in the new pattern each Soldier will receive an accessory kit consisting of name tags, rank, and shoulder sleeve insignia. The Army Institute of Heraldry still has to weigh in on the colorway and designs of individual SSIs. Other uniform components include Generation III Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System. PEO-Soldier is also hard at work getting Patrol Caps, Sun Hats, Knee and Elbow Pads as well as entire MOLLE sets into production. These will include Individual First Aid Kits in addition to the new Tactical Assault Panel seen in the accompanying photo supplied by the program office. IOTV covers and Helmet Covers as well as Nape Pads will also be produced in MultiCam. Every detail is being seen to in order to meet their fielding goals of mid-summer.

In order to meet this deadline a new contract will soon be let by PEO-Soldier for FR ACUs. Rather than relying on the current sustainment contract managed by Defense Supply Center Philadelphia for FR ACUs in UCP, this will allow the numerous improvements to the ACU design we wrote about last year to be cut in early to this new purchase along with the change to MultiCam.

Photo: Alexandra Hemmerly-Brown

What you won’t get are MultiCam ACUs. Lots of guys are already running out and purchasing several sets in the hopes that one day they will be able to wear them. However, this isn’t the case. Although specific wear policy hasn’t yet been released for troops in Afghanistan, this has the potential for being a dream scenario for uniform nazis. If you thought it was hard to sneak into the chow hall after a patrol in your Army Combat Shirt, don’t even think about wearing your ACUs in MultiCam. Current in-theater policy requires Soldiers to protect themselves by wearing FR ACUs, whether UCP or MultiCam. If you are in the wrong uniform you will stick out like the proverbial sore thumb.

Certain organizations on the other hand have fielded standard 50/50 NYCO (50% nylon/50% ripstop cotton blend) uniforms for some time. However, these do not provide the same level of Fire Resistant protection afforded uniforms manufactured from Tencate’s Defender-M like the issue FR ACU. Already industry is hard at work producing clothing and equipment on MultiCam that are designed specifically for use in Afghanistan. This includes FR products. Over the next several weeks Soldier Systems Daily will begin to unveil these products to you.

Posted in ACU, Clothing, FR, Materials, Multicam, PEO-Soldier | No Comments »

Sleeping Coat

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Treehugger.com has a cool article on the Sleeping Coat which won an award from Germany’s Red Dot Institute for designer Lin Tsui-Wei. As you can see in the photo, the lower section is folded and carried by snapping to the coat. It can inflated and used as a mattress as well as for insulation.

But what is REALLY wild is the Suitaloon dating from 1968. What little literature available on the Suitaloon claims, “Comfort for Two.”

Anyone remember the Secret Agent Matt Helm movie where a spy pad complete with fully stocked bar inflated out of the trunk of his Lincoln? Ahhhh, those were the days. I mean it was the 60s. They had to be on something to come up with these crazy ideas.

Posted in Clothing | No Comments »

BAA for Warfighter Developmental Protective Clothing and Devices

Monday, March 1st, 2010

If you’ve got a great new widget that fits any one of the categories below then Naval Air Systems Command at Pax River wants to hear about it. What’s great about a Broad Agency Announcement is that they last all year so it’s easy to make the deadline and are intended to cast a wide net in search of solutions for issues facing a command. There aren’t any pesky requirements that you have to meet. They want to hear about your good ideas and see if they fill any of their capability gaps.

(1) protection against G-induced loss of consciousness, loss of situational awareness, spatial disorientation, and high altitude hypoxia; (2) micro / nanotechnology applicable to life support and protective devices; (3) protection against hypothermia / hyperthermia; (4) auxiliary or integrated human cooling and heating systems; (5) integrated helmet mounted displays, multi-mode helmet vision system technology; (6) advanced filter / device development for eye and / or sensor protection; (7) warfighter / equipment compatibility; (8) breathing systems and advanced concept approaches for current and future applications; (9) crash protection, advanced restraint systems (all axes of restraint), accelerative loads reduction and seating concepts; (10) emergency egress / escape concepts such as but not limited to improved signaling / locating, thermal signature reduction, and day / night cloaking technologies (11) integrated communications systems; (12) hearing protection and communication capabilities in high noise environments (13) integrated floatation systems; (14) human strength enhancement technologies; (15) garment textiles / materials, flame resistant / melt-proof fibers, webbings, water-proof, high-stretch, breathable fabrics, durable, malleable, lightweight conductive-network fabrics, low-bulk / high flexibility vascular compression mechanisms for acceleration protection, fast-response cooling / heating textiles; (16) crew / workstation design; (17) lightweight, portable power sources, recharging and scavenging technologies, and (18) other personal protective technologies.

As you can see this pretty much runs the gamut of Soldier Systems as well as some aviation technologies. If you think you’ve got what they need you will need to submit a white paper. Check out the entire solicitation at www.fbo.gov for further guidance.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, Industry | No Comments »

Tactical Pants Blog Interviews Fernando Coelho

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Tatical Pants Blog interviews EOTAC founder Fernando Coelho, but I won’t steal any of their thunder. Head on over and check it out.

www.tacticalpants.com

Tags: EOTAC
Posted in Clothing | No Comments »

And So It Begins…

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

The Army dropped a rather large sources sought notice today for Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniforms (FR-ACUs) in MultiCam. Up to 40,000 sets per month for six to eight months are to be delivered pre-treated in Permethrin. The short notice to answer (10 days) is indicative of the dedication to quick fielding that PEO-Soldier is paying to this issue. Expect to see numerous other solicitations hit the street soon.

It is very important to note that, based on information already released by PEO-Soldier, they are only planning on fielding clothing and equipment that would be used on a combat patrol. This includes FR-ACUs as well as Army Combat Shirts. The new ACS will feature MultiCam sleeves and Coyote torso. For those Soldiers leaning forward in the foxhole, this does NOT include the 50/50 NYCO ACU that you currently wear in garrison and on the FOB. I would not suggest that you run out and purchase a basic load of ACUs in MultiCam just yet. I am still awaiting additional information on this subject but as of now, based on what has already been said, Soldiers deployed to Afghanistan will find themselves in the standard ACU in UCP while on an FOB or other deployed base and wearing MultiCam FR ACUs while outside the wire.

Posted in ACS, ACU, Clothing, FR, Multicam | No Comments »

No-Contact - The Stun Gun You Wear

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Recently, my friends at Protect The Force told me that they wanted to show me an extraordinary technology that was initially designed to protect women from sexual assaults but that could be used for a variety of personal protection tasks. I must admit that in my mind’s eye I formed a picture of some sort of chastity belt-like contraption. Fortunately, my imagination run wild was nowhere near the truth of the matter. Instead, I was shown the video below and it brought everything into focus.

I immediately “got it” and began running scenarios in my head where I could apply the technology. I mean who couldn’t see the potential here? It’s phenomenal. No-Contact’s technology was developed by Adam Whiton, a researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Yolita Nugent, an apparel designer. Named Conducted Energy Clothing, the concept is simple; bad guy grabs you, much to his chagrin he gets shocked, he unhands you, you fight or flight.

Now I can imagine that some of you are skeptical but they’ve been working on this for awhile. No, it won’t shock you. The wearer is insulated from the effects of the charged outer layer. Additionally, the garment features a Teflon coated waterproof layer to protect the wearer in the rain. Concerned about power requirements? Currently, the system is powered by a single 9v battery.

Remember, the system was initially designed to protect women from sexual assault. It had to be simple to use, so you wear it. Unlike firearms or blade weapons, it requires no training. Once armed, the system is passive. In fact, they are working on a variant that will allow security personnel to remotely activate someone’s CEC in the event they are unable to themselves. This would be great for VIPs and others who risk kidnapping or assault. Even in its current configuration the CEC technology is well suited for Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Security officers.

Some statistics to consider:

“Close-quarters assault from aggressors using fists and hands account for more than 80% of all total assaults faced by law enforcement officers.”
Federal Bureau of Investigation 2008 Uniform Crime Report

“No Weapons were used in 74% of all violent crime incidents on civilian victims, just fists and hands. In addition offenders used a weapon in only 1% of all rapes/sexual assaults. Most often fists and hands are used to overpower and restrain the victim.”
U.S. Department of Justice - Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2008

They are still about six months out from full production. For more information visit www.no-contact.com or www.protecttheforce.com.

No-Contact, for when “No” really means “No.”

Tags: No Contact, Protect The Force LLC
Posted in Admin, Clothing, LE, Materials | No Comments »

Propper’s MultiCam FR Combat Uniform Available

Friday, February 19th, 2010

The MultiCam™ FR Combat Uniform is sew to the official FROG specifications and is made of patented Defender M™ flame-resistant fabric from Tencate. The combat shirt also features an enhanced X-Static™ DRIFIRE® knit torso which reduces core body heat, prevents bacteria growth and provides odor control. All thread, zippers and loop components are also flame-resistant. These are the exact same materials and findings used in the USMC issue FROG ensemble.

Other features include:

• Reinforced mandarin collar and zipper
• Raglan sleeves for enhanced range of motion
• Angled sleeve pockets with hook and loop panel for quick access
• Contoured, reinforced elbow
• Contoured, stretch waistband
• Comfortable, moisture wicking, fast drying torso
• Reinforced seat and articulated knee
• Bellow style cargo pockets
• NIR-Compliant

The MSRP is $289.99 for the Trouser and $189.99 for the shirt. Available in Small, Medium, Large and Extra-Large in regular and long lengths.

It is important to note that Propper is the only manufacturer of the Crye designed USMC FROG.

This may be the last commercially available FR MultiCam for awhile with impending Army orders requiring the vast majority of fabric production for the immediate future. Units requiring immediate FR uniforms should take a look at this.

Tags: Crye, Propper
Posted in Clothing, FR, Multicam | No Comments »

Secretary of Army Approves Multicam for OEF

Friday, February 19th, 2010

LTC Cummings of the Army Public Affairs Office has confirmed that the Secretary of the Army, the Honorable John McHugh approved a plan today to begin the fielding of MultiCam uniforms and individual equipment as soon as possible. Sources have informed Soldier Systems Daily that the Army plans to begin issuing as early as July of this year for Afghanistan bound troops and to complete the initial fielding by May of 2011.

A DoD news release about the Secretary’s approval also stated that the Army remains committed to completing phase IV of the camouflage project which will develop a long-term strategy for the Army.

Tags: Multicam
Posted in Camo, Clothing, PEO-Soldier | No Comments »

Arc’teryx Introduces the Beta LT Pant

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Seen here with the Atom LT jacket and Alpha LT shell, the new Beta LT pant is manufactured from Gore-tex Pro-Shell. It features an integrated belt as well as 3/4 length zippers to assist with donning and doffing. At 10.6 ounces when combined with the other two items, you get a cold weather package that weighs in at a scant 32 ounces total! Due to this lightweight construction, the entire set up packs down to a size smaller than a basketball. But don’t let the term lightweight fool you. I must admit I was skeptical when I first got my Alpha LT jacket. It felt so light I was worried it wouldn’t stand up to hard use but nothing could be farther from the truth. It is not only extremely well made and very strong, it also moves well with the body. Available in Crocodile sized Small - XX-Large from www.arcteryx.com/leaf.

Posted in Arc'teryx, Clothing, Foreign | No Comments »

DRIFIRE Donates FR Shirts and Blankets to Haiti

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Responding to a call for aid to earthquake damaged Haiti from the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), DRIFIRE has assisted the Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) organization by shipping approximately 1,650 comfortable FR shirts to be distributed to two orphanages.

“We’ve worked with the AAFA and K.I.D.S. in the past, donating more than 500 garments during the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina. We’re happy to join them in supporting orphans in Haiti with our products. Our donations may be a tiny piece of the overall relief effort, but we wanted to be involved and we’re excited for our chance to directly impact these orphanages,” says Kim Scarbrough, Executive Assistant at DRIFIRE, who is leading the company’s efforts in Haiti.

The flame retardant shirts sent in DRIFIRE’s first shipment feature moisture wicking and antimicrobial technology that is crucial for staying dry and comfortable in humid, warm climates. The second shipment will include rolls of raw fabric made of soft, comfortable material in response to the strong need for blankets. The fabric also features antimicrobial technology, cutting down on germs and odor. In addition to blankets, the fabric can be used to make clothes, tents and other garments to help keep the children protected and comfortable.

DRIFIRE isn’t stopping there. They plan to continue helping the orphanages on a long-term basis as more products become available for shipment in the coming weeks. Additional aid will be spread among the communities in Haiti as needed.

“Everyone at DRIFIRE is eager to contribute to helping the people in Haiti. From warehouse employees working overtime to get products shipped, to the executive team coordinating with AAFA and K.I.D.S. to make this all happen, we’re thankful and proud to be part of such a generous, hard-working company. Working together is crucial in these times of need, and we hope that our efforts will encourage and inspire others in the FR apparel and safety industry to donate high quality, life-saving products to those who need them,” says Scarbrough.

Tags: Drifire
Posted in Clothing, FR, Industry | No Comments »