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Archive for the ‘FR’ Category

Army Seeks FR Patch Kit

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

PEO-Soldier is seeking a Flame Resistant Uniform Unit level Repair Patch Kit that has the capability to provide Infra Red (IR)/Flame Resistance (FR) protection in a self contained kit. According to the requirement, the “IR/FR Uniform Repair Kit must contain 8 patches (2 3×3,2 4×4, 2 5×5, and 2 5×7 inch kits) made of self adhesive Fire Resistant material that are intended to be used to repair Flame Resistant MultiCam & UCP uniform items.” The patch also needs to “adhere to the FR Army Combat Uniform (FR-ACU), the Improved Combat Vehicle Crewman Coverall (ICVC) and the Aviation Aircrew Combat Uniform (A2CU) or other flame resistant clothing items, covering any holes, rips or tears.”

They have already completed a sources sought notice and should begin to consider technologies soon in order to begin fielding this summer.

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Drifire Phenix II Flight Suit

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

We have covered Drifire‘s flight suits in the past but we just received some updated marketing data on their latest incarnation after taking a look at it at the recent ADS Warrior Expo. Available in both Khaki and MultiCam, the Phenix II exceeds Air Force safe to flight characteristics and provides not only FR protection but also moisture wicking and antimicrobial properties. The Khaki variant would be well suited for PMCs operating in IED environments. There are a few other new products coming down the pike from Drifire in the near future so keep your eyes peeled.

DRIFIRE Phenix II Flight Suit

Tags: Drifire
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Navy Seeks Survival Gear and FR Clothing

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought Notice for Survival Items and Clothing for use by both Navy and marine Corps personnel. Survival items include equipment to assist isolated personnel in their recovery such as NVD compatible lights, signaling devices, hand held global positioning systems, knives, fire starters, multi purpose tools, water purification devices, hydration carriers and concentrated nutrition. All items should be efficient, compact, lightweight, water resistant, affordable and use common, commercially available batteries as a power source if needed.

The FR clothing side of the house includes items for both air and ground crews like flight suits and gloves, deck jerseys, and anti-exposure suits. They are seeking performance products whether fire resistance, environmental protection, or moisture management. This is an open ended RFI so as vendors come up with applicable items they can submit them.

Visit www.fbo.gov for the full details.

Posted in Clothing, Contracts, FR, SERE | Comments Off on Navy Seeks Survival Gear and FR Clothing

Fielding the OEF FR ACU

Monday, May 17th, 2010

As most of you know by now, the MultiCam version of the Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniform slated to be issued to troops in Afghanistan has been officially dubbed the OEF FR ACU. This is because it is supposed to only be used in Afghanistan (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM). I guess someone forgot that operations in the Philippines are also part of OEF. But then again, I don’t share PEO-Soldier’s wishful optimism that commanders in other areas won’t want their troops to be outfitted in MultiCam as well. I mean after all, testing has demonstrated it is a very effective pattern in a variety of environments. Why wouldn’t a commander want his troops outfitted in the best equipment available.

At any rate, where are those new OEF FR ACUs anyway? Well, the Army is on its way to fielding, working its way through the procurement process, but meeting the goal of July is going to be difficult if not impossible. The recently released pre-solicitation doesn’t close until 1 June. Then, the Army still has to release an actual solicitation which is usually open for about 30 days, make an award, deal with any protests that might arise, wait for uniforms to roll off the line, and finally distribute them. While mills are chugging away manufacturing FR Defender-M from Tencate, none of the manufacturers of uniforms will place orders for fabric until they receive a contract so there is only so much leaning forward in the fox hole that can be done.

One of the reasons that PEO-Soldier isn’t jumping into MultiCam with both feet is that the Army hasn’t made a long-term decision about camouflage yet. PEO-Soldier says that the Army is moving toward a decision on Phase IV of the camo project but thus far, almost nothing has been released on what exactly this phase entails. Hopefully, we will begin to see some transparency considering the brouhaha raised over the selection of the Universal Camouflage Pattern.

Tags: Multicam
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Environmental Clothing Systems

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

ADS Inc, lead system integrator for both ECWCS Gen III and FREE has just published a comprehensive look at both systems as well as SOCOM’s Protective Combat Uniform. It is a great resource for anyone looking to gain a basic understanding of these systems or their histories. Check it out at www.adsinc.com.

Tags: ECWCS Gen III, FREE, PCU
Posted in ADS, Clothing, FR, Materials, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on Environmental Clothing Systems

USMC Inclement Weather Combat Shirt Features TenCate Fabrics

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

The new Inclement Weather Combat Shirt (IWCS) is a FR shirt designed to be worn in place of the FROG blouse during cold weather. Think of it as replacing the Desert Combat Jacket with increased capability. The Marines will purchase 180,000 IWCS from Short Bark Industries who are well known in the automotive world for their seat covers. Short Bark’s design incorporates several products from the TenCate Defenderâ„¢ M family. Most notably this is the first military adoption of a TenCate Defenderâ„¢ M laminate. The IWCS also includes a new stretch woven technology as well as two variations of knit fabrics. Nick Pence, Military Market Manager for TenCate Defense & Tactical explains: â€œThe flame resistant IWCS was designed to provide increased protection from wind and rain while offering breathable water repellency for cold weather climatesâ€.

I recently spoke with the team at TenCate about the challenge of color matching different printed fabrics on a single garment that the DCJ had to deal with and they told me that they are out in front of this issue and we shouldn’t see any of those types of shading issues.

Tags: TenCate
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Something Wild This Way Comes

Friday, March 19th, 2010

Wild Things has launched a new web address to go along with their new division Wild Things Tactical. In honor of their long-term commitment to providing quality expedition level outdoor clothing and equipment to elite military forces, WTT was created to oversee an entire new line of products being unveiled this spring. Last fall we gave you a taste of what’s coming with their Lightweight Softshell Layer. This product as well as several others are already being used by troops in combat.

I was able to review products at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and they have some really cool stuff coming including FR pieces, and most of it will be available in MultiCam for those of you heading to Afghanistan. Personally, I have been using Wild Things clothing for over five years and they have always taken great strides to be on the leading edge of fabric technologies. I really like their stuff. Some of you may already be familiar with Wild Things and not realize it. They designed the level 7 puffy suit that is part of ECWCS Gen III.

While the new website isn’t quite ready yet, be sure visit www.wttactical.com and sign up for announcements of the release of this new line.

Tags: Wild Things Tactical
Posted in Clothing, FR, Multicam | Comments Off on Something Wild This Way Comes

PEO-Soldier Has Got You Covered

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Literally…last year they began fielding the new Lightweight Performance Hood, which replaced the hot and bulky Flash Hood, long issued to armor crewman. This new Hood is a no-melt, no-drip performance piece very similar to what NASCAR drivers and pit crew wear. This is critical to ensuring that Soldiers will actually wear the garment.

â€œWe understand that Soldiers are less likely to wear the hood if it is hot or irritating,â€ said LTC Michael Sloane, PM SCIE. â€œThe LPH has a ventilated mesh dome to minimize heat stress in hot or dry climates, while providing limited heat retention in cool climates. It is moisture-wicking, anti-microbial and anti-odor,â€ LTC Sloane added.

Mr Jeff Myhre Assitant Program Manager at PEO-Soldier added, â€œWe are always on the lookout for new fabrics and technologies to prevent Soldiers from having to suffer second- and third-degree burns, we want Soldiers to have FR protection wherever and whenever they need it.â€ To this end, the LPH is small enough to fit in a grenade pouch.

Each deploying Soldier receives two LPH which is Foliage Green but may soon be offered in a new shade more compatible with MultiCam for troops serving in Afghanistan.