The Applied Orange FR-UBAX is the only commercially available combat shirt made entirely out of TenCate Defender M fabrics in A-TACS camouflage.
The FR-UBAX incorporates inset bicep pockets. Offered in sizes Small – 3XLarge, the torso is made from an FR knit in OD.
The US Army is looking for qualified vendors with improvements to the improved Combat Vehicle Crewman (iCVC) coverall that may be utilized to develop design and specification enhancements for the new enhanced Combat Vehicle Crewman (eCVC).
In this US Army photo you can see the current iCVC which saw evolutionary improvements over the previous legacy design which goes back to at least the 1970s. It is an FR one-piece garment that is also issued in OCP (MultiCam).
The Sources Sought Notice released yesterday by the Natick SSC Contracting Office on behalf of US Army Product Manager, Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM-SCIE) eCVC will consolidate the capability requirements of the one-piece improved Combat Vehicle Crewman (iCVC) Coverall into a single uniform and other enhancements over the current iCVC.
The eCVC shall be a two piece uniform ensemble which can be joined together creating a one piece coverall which does not compromise FR protection.
The eCVC two piece configurations shall allow the Mounted Soldier the ability to have more functional movement in a dismounted position with a full combat load and utilize the Army Combat Shirt (ACS) when in a dismounted operation, as well as reduce heat burden.
The big issue here is that they want to make the CVC a two-piece garment that can be converted into a one-piece. This is to enhance cooling and comfort. Additionally, we understand that there is interest in combining the Army Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU) with the CVC to reduce the burden on the supply chain.
Interested parties should respond by 1200 EST on 1 February 2013.
Lots of people build gun cases that look like guitar cases but the folks at UK-based Edgar Brothers asked, “what if there was a guitar case that looked like a gun case?” They posed the challenge to Australia’s Platatac and the result is the Smash Guitar Case.
It zips fully open and includes PALS webbing inside and out. Along with pile strips, it is modular and includes moveable pads in order to accommodate a variety of stringed instruments.
Available through Edgar Brothers
Applied Orange sourced a few yards of TenCate Defender-M in both A-TACS AU and FG. They made two sample FR-UBAX and have been taking them around Europe to some very positive feedback.
This is a European made combat shirt. It features double bicep pockets; an outer flapped pocket as well as an inset zippered pocket.
We continue our coverage of WL Gore’s various technologies and their military applications with Pyrad. It’s a self-extinguishing fabric technology that adds heat and flame protection properties to non-FR textiles.
First unveiled at last year’s AUSA, Gore Pyrad is one of the most exciting new technologies I’ve seen. It offers enhanced heat and flame protection using non-FR textiles. Think about that. You can still have performance of the fabrics you are comfortable with yet enhance their capabilities by incorporating an FR coating. Now the Pyrad technology has to be applied to the fabric prior to being assembled into finished goods so Pyrad won’t do anything for gear you already own, but could be a great option for future purchases.
Gore takes standard nylon, polyester and other fabrics and hardens them through laminating the Pyrad technology. This allows them to exploit all of the basic fabric’s strengths like nylon’s fast dry out times as well as enhanced camouflage through colorfastness and enhanced UV resistance. Additionally, not only is Pyrad resistant to flame but also self-extinguishing.
If you are attending AUSA this week in Wash DC be sure to visit the Gore Military booth #2925 to check out Pyrad. Additionally, ADS has incorporated Pyrad into their Dismounted FREE system so visit booth #2413 to take a look at an application of Pyrad. If you can’t make it, keep an eye out here on SSD where we’ll continue to show you new applications of the Pyrad technology.
We continue our coverage of WL Gore’s various technologies and their military applications with the Swoop Mitt from Outdoor Research. While we are all familiar with the popular GORE-TEX brand, many do not know that WL Gore has worked extensively with the military since the mid-1980s to develop specific fabrics for various purposes.
Developed for pilots and aviation crews operating in extremely cold conditions at high altitudes, the shell of the Swoop Mitt provides waterproof and breathable protection via a Gore membrane. The water resistant goat-leather palm provides a solid grip. The Swoop is a trigger finger mitt design which accommodates all fingers in the mitt cavity for greater warmth and dexterity. What makes it unique is that the mitt cavity can be peeled back and the entire hand can be pushed through the mitt when required. It is insulated with EnduraLoft, a high-loft insulation that springs back after compression. Used in conjunction with an FR liner glove such as a flight glove, the Swoop works as a full system.
Here is a video featuring OR’s Mike Christian that describes the Swoop Mitt.
This uniform, is a design concept for MARSOC of an FR combat garment (yes, thats Woodland Camo) featuring DRIFIRE’s Foretrex fabric. Not only is it FR, but it also incorporates Drifit’s moisture management and anti-microbial features. Recently developed, it’s an alternative to currently fielded FR materials.
This is the second in a series of articles covering WL Gore’s various technologies and their military applications. While we are all familiar with the popular GORE-TEX brand, many do not know that WL Gore has worked extensively with the military since the mid-1980s to develop specific fabrics for various purposes. In this article we will cover the FR Fuel Handler Coverall.
Military fuel handlers face a dirty, dangerous job. Petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) are both flammable and corrosive. In cold weather, fuel handlers face increased threat of cold weather injuries due to the lower freezing temperature of fuel. Diesel can remain in its liquid state down to 15 deg F. At these temperatures, spills can exacerbate the danger of cold injuries. That’s not to mention the flame threat associated with POL. To counter these environmental dangers, the Army and Marine Corps set about to develop a new garment for fuel handlers. The answer is the Fuel Handler Coverall which has been adopted by both the US Army and Marine Corps. It features GORE-TEX construction offering a wide variety of attributes. Not only does it integrate penetration-resistant against JP-8, DEET, and POL but it is also flame-resistant (thanks to Nomex technology), anti-microbial, durably waterproof, windproof and breathable and dissipates electrostatic charges. Additionally, it provides this protection for more than 25 wash/dry cycles. Finally, it is available in Coyote as well as UCP and includes n-IR signature reduction technology.
