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.”
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 | Comments Off on BAA for Warfighter Developmental Protective Clothing and Devices
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.
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
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 | Comments Off on Propper’s MultiCam FR Combat Uniform Available
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.
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.
