I don’t know how we missed this. Japanese Astronaut Koichi Wakata is testing a new style of space-aged odor eating underwear during his stay on the ISS. The current garment must be changed every three days but the test item is designed to last a whopping seven days. Additionally, the wicking garment has FR properties.
So, they prevent stink for up to seven days, wick sweat, AND are FR? Sounds like heaven.
FR ACUs
Propper has just released a new Army Combat Uniform constructed to military specification GL/PD 07-13 with Defender™ M, a flame-resistant, combat fabric used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. It exceeds ASTM D 6413-99 flame resistance standards and not only self-extinguishes but will not melt or drip. The FR ACU contains Lenzing FR® which absorbs and evaporates perspiration faster for maximum comfort. Includes square marker on the left sleeve and left cargo pocket to identify a fire-resistant garment in the operational theater.
Coat and Trouser Available (Patches and nametapes not included)
NO FLY Zone ACUs
The No-Fly Zoneâ„¢ ACU is constructed to military specification GL/PD 07-14 and treated with the active ingredient Permethrin, a man-made insecticide that effectively repels mosquitoes, ants, chiggers, flies and midges. It offers 99% protection over an 8-hour period (when combined with 35% DEET on exposed areas of the skin.) Registered with the EPA and tested by the U.S. Military. Permethrin remains effective for 25 launderings.
Coat, Trouser, and Cap Available (Patches and nametapes not included)
It looks like FR is the “in thing” for this year’s SHOT Show and Propper is sure to satisfy. In addition to their commercial FRACU (Fire-Resistant Army Combat Uniform), they will be unveiling Fire Resistant System (FRS) from Adventure Tech.
Additionally, Propper continues to innovate with the No Fly Zone® Army Combat Uniform “Apparel That Repels Insectsâ€, AF APECS and GEN II ECWCS manufactured in the Dominican Republic and a cool and comfortable 100% Cotton ABU (Airman Battle Uniform).
Last but not least Propper will showcase their popular Advanced Protective Combat Uniform (APCU). I have been using the Level V Jacket and Trousers in Multicam for about two months now and they are both comfortable and durable. In fact the entire line was developed as an improved alternative to the issue PCU. To purchase APCU contact US Cav.
Be sure to visit Propper at Booth number 8877.
For more information on any of Propper’s line visit them on the web at www.propper.com.
Photo of Level V courtesy of US Cav.
In addition to the PSD Nomex suit we recently wrote about Anson Tactical also offers an FR outer garment for Police and Military intervention operations.
Manufactured from FR Nomex III, the suits feature Kevlar reinforcement patches on knees, elbows, and groin. There is also an integral hood with ID holder with window on rear, flap neck closure with Velcro fastening. The ID holders with windows are found on each sleeve. The coveralls have knitted inner collar and wrist and elasticated waist band. Manufactured in the UK, the ATLAS SF Assault System is in use with European Special Forces and Police Intervention teams.
Garments are custom built based on user requirements and pricing is dependent on quantity, material weight, and pocket options. The suits are available in Black, Dark Navy Blue, Desert Sand, and Olive Green.
More information is available here and here.
Photo from Anson Tactical.
ATLAS – Nomex PSD Uniform – Smock and Trouser Set
The ATLAS smock and trouser set is a simple affair manufactured from fire resistant 180gsm Nomex III. The smock is an over the head design with a chest-mounted front map pocket and two side pockets, drawstring waist and hood, velcro adjustable cuffs and front closure, FFD sleeve pocket, and velcro for name tapes. The trousers are based on the BDU design with two side cargo pockets, slash pockets, belt loops, reinforced seat and knees as well as drawstring hems.
The uniform is available in Desert Sand, Olive Green, Black, and Blue and company logos can be added if required. There has been some discussion of specialized camo patterns being offered in the future.
It is available from Anson Tactical in the UK.
Photo from Anson Tactical.
Thanks to US Cav, we can now take the question mark (?) off of our previous article on a possible combat shirt from Tru-Spec. US Cavalry has just announced pre-orders for the Tru-Spec combat shirt with deliveries commencing mid-December.
The prices are phenomenal for a combat shirt with an FR body. As we reported before the body is made from Cordura® Baselayer fabric which won’t drip or melt.
Available in sizes from Small – 2XL in a veritable plethora of color schemes including (arms/body) UCP/Foliage, Black/Black, Khaki/Khaki, MULTICAM®/Sand and Olive Drab/Olive Drab.
To pre-order visit WWW.USCAV.COM.
Photos from US Cav.
The Army Combat Shirt has only been an issue item for about a year but much of its success can be attributed to PEO-Soldier’s decision to field the garment immediately and improve it over time. In fact, although the basic concept has stayed constant, the design has been in a perpetual state of change. At the recent SOFEX at Ft Bragg, NC we got a chance to take a look at the latest version (v5.3) of the ACS at Massif’s booth. While this version has not yet been approved for procurement, it features design refinements specified by PEO-Soldier. Many Soldiers will be happy to hear that noticeably absent was the “Army of One” logo.
Manufactured from Massif’s proprietary Blaze, Breeze, and Helium fabrics, the ACS is completely FR, even incorporating new flame resistant resin zippers. The Blaze fabric is a four way stretch and used for the sleeves and under arm panels. Designed with comfort under body armor in mind, the ACS is constructed with flat seams and features raglan sleeves. The body is formed from Breeze fabric and the modesty panel designed to cover the breast area is made from Helium fabric. A high mock-T collar prevents chaffing caused by the IOTV’s high collar.
While garments in other color schemes (including Multicam) are currently on the drawing board, development of military variants including the Airman Battle Shirt and a khaki version for the Navy has priority.
Currently, the ACS can only be ordered by members of the United States Army. To order contact Massif Mountain Gear Company.
USSOCOM has awarded Outdoor Research, Inc. (OR), a $54 million, five-year contract to manufacture the Outdoor Research Generation II Modular Glove System for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). What is important about this announcement is that it is for the second generation glove system. In 2001 OR was also awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant to develop the original modular glove system. Although a full contract was never awarded for full procurement due to competing priorities for dollars, the handwear developed under the SBIR was purchased with unit O&M dollars. Additionally, the research yielded excellent results and brought OR’s military and commercial lines further forward. This latest generation of handwear is FR and offered in brown rather then the black of the earlier family of gloves. The FR fabrics are offered in conjunction with Massif.
The system consists of five types of compatible handwear: a contact glove, a flame resistant combat glove, an intermediate waterproof glove, an extreme cold weather waterproof glove, and extreme cold weather waterproof mitt. Each set of gloves is Berry compliant and can be worn alone or in conjunction with other pieces in the system. I had an opportunity to look at the individual pieces at Outdoor Retailer and am very impressed. The gloves are for the most part refinements of military gloves they have been producing for the last couple of years. I have been using OR gloves for over ten years and these are the best products they have ever developed.
I think mountaineering legend Mark Twight sums it up best. “Using modern materials and their up-all-night ingenuity, the designers worked closely with military users to develop the Modular Glove System,†said Mark Twight, elite alpinist. “For over 20 years, OR has been testing handwear in the harshest environments on earth. No company is better positioned to build gloves for the U.S. Special Operations Forces.”
For more information visit Outdoor Research. The SOCOM Gen II Modular Glove System is available for purchase from ADS.
Outdoor Research Modular Glove System, Generation II: Firebrand Mitt (top left), Firebrand Glove (top right), Poseidon Glove (bottom left), Overlord Shorty (bottom center), Hurricane Glove (bottom right).
Photo courtesy of Outdoor Research.
