Project Manager Soldier Survivability (PM-SSV) began the issuing of the Cold Temperature and Artic Protection Systems (CTAPS) system to two Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) of the 11th Airborne Division at Ft. Wainwright and Anchorage, AK on February 13, 2023. Soldier feedback on CTAPS will inform the Army’s next generation Cold Weather Clothing System requirement for protection in extreme cold weather operating environments, with a more modular, adaptable, and packable system.
PM-SSV in conjunction with the DEVCOM Natick Soldier Center worked tirelessly to fulfill the June 2022 Army directed requirement to outfit soldiers in Alaska in support of winter field training exercises, inform the Army long-term requirement for Arctic Clothing and provide the 11th Airborne Division with this improved interim capability.
CTAPS allows soldiers to effectively operate and sustain combat operations in extreme conditions increasing their ability to fight is temperatures as low as -65 degrees Fahrenheit.
The team transitioned the CTAPS from Science & Technology to production and began delivering CTAPS to the 11th Airborne Division within six months of receiving the Directed Requirement. This included transitioning three novel materials to production that had never been produced in large quantities by the industrial base, establishing production contracts with multiple vendors, and ramping up the entire supply chain to support this effort. Currently vendors are producing between 250-400 sets of CTAPS per day and 300-500 soldiers are being issued CTAPS every day.
I really wish they would quit doing these press releases without any meaningful information on the new system or what they are even testing out.
It is a system of gloves and other extreme cold weather clothing items. It is yet another Natick run boondoggle that doesn’t answer the problems that troops working in high arctic environments really have. The positive in this is that it will hopefully inform future requirements.
Current ECWCS is pretty decent but glad they are improving as technology evolves. More importantly, WHERE IS MY WIDE MOUTH CANTEEN?!?
I just received mine this last week and unfortunately am terribly confused on the system thus far. From what I have been told this replaces ECWCS and does not augment ecwcs. I’ve been up here four years and spend each winter on a trapline playing around with different clothing systems. This initially doesn’t fulfill my needs in the varying temperatures I’ve experienced in the interior.
Initial impressions: enjoy the cut of the level 5 tremendously. Pockets are better placed and it has a better hood. Breathability is excellent but it is noticeably colder.
The level 3 is superb. It’s a modern day field jacket liner with functional pockets, vent holes and a hood. It’s excellent for that 95% of time I’m doing leisurely duty either in the field or garrison from temps -25 to id day positive 20 with a silk base layer
Level 6- no comment, plan on taking it as my primary rain gear for spring bear and sheep in august.
Level 7- again, anecdotally this doesn’t feel nearly as warm as the ECWCS. Pockets are better. Hoods better but it is more bulky. I’ll find out more when I’m on a snow machine in real deep cold next year. Wish it had a ruff.
In my experience the versatility of the waffle and fleece is better than the ctaps low loft. It breaths much better and gives me better coverage in those varying temperatures from -10 to -40. However I think for simplifying stuff I’ll just wear extra silks when the ctaps 3 is to hot.
Lastly the hill I’ll always die on. Don’t EVER try and replace the bunny boot. I feel so safe in those things knowing no matter how much I sweat or when I fall through overflow I’m not compromising the insulation and loosing toes.
Gortex sucks, it never dries out. Mukluks, old arctic mittens and trigger finger mittens are always better because I can remove and dry the insulation.
You ain’t kidding about Goretex sucking. Except for a dedicated hard shell rain layer, I will not own anything with GT in it. And it’s TOUGH to find good civilian looking lightweight hiking boots that doesn’t have GT in it.