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.
SSD regularly showcases a different MultiCam print fabric from Duro Textiles LLC. This week, we are covering the Defender M fabric from TenCate. MultiCam is a single camouflage pattern designed to hide the wearer in varied environments, seasons, elevations, and light conditions. After a great deal of commercial success and adoption by elements of US Special Operations Forces, in 2010 MultiCam was selected for use by the US Army as its Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP).
TenCate‘s Defender M is a 6.5 ounce fabric that balances durability, breathability, and comfort. Additionally, it provides FR protection at the fiber level meaning it won’t wash or wear out. Not only does it not melt or drip but also extinguishes in the event of an explosion or flame threat. Manufactured from Lenzing FR Rayon fibers which originate in Austria, TenCate mills the fibers along with other materials to create Defender M. It is then printed by Duro in the MultiCam pattern and used by finished goods producers.
Defender M is used in the manufacture of the US Army’s Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FR ACU) as well as the Australian Army’s Operational Combat Uniform.
Duro will soon stock Defender M in the MultiCam print making the manufacture of FR garments easier than ever. They offer progressive pricing based on the number of yards ordered. For more information on this or any of the full line of MultiCam fabrics visit www.multicamfabric.com or email Galpen_Ben@DuroLink.com. Also, stay on the look out for an updated MultiCam fabric website soon.
Tags: Crye Precision, Defender M, Duro, Duro Textiles LLC, Multicam, TenCate
Posted in FR, Materials, Multicam | Comments Off on MultiCam Materials – TenCate Defender M
Both TenCate’s FR Defender M fabric as well as the A-TACS family of camouflage patterns from Digital Concealment Systems are familiar to SSD readers. What is new, is that TenCate will be offering Defender M, the standard FR fabric for US ground combat uniforms, in the A-TACS patterns. Currently, the only other camouflage available for sale in Defender M is MultiCam, making this pretty big news. Yes, there are a few national patterns printed on Defender M but they are restricted. Below is their press release.
TenCate Defender M sets the standard for flame-resistant military grade fabric, having been specified by both the United States Army and Marine Corps as the uniform material of choice for its ground troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thanks to its patented technology, TenCate Defender M not only provides exceptional protection from flame and heat, but also offers the level of comfort and durability required in combat uniforms. Now, TenCate and Digital Concealment Systems are proud to announce that both the A-TACS AU and A-TACS FG Camo patterns are available on Defender M fabrics. A-TACS Camo is now available on Tencate Defender M from Tencate. For more information, contact Mr. John Blackmon by email at j.blackmon@tencate.com or TenCate Customer Service by e-mail at: contactus@tencate.com.
Propper has added their version of the Army Combat Pant to their ecommerce site. We covered the pant in-depth during last year’s Modern Day Marine, showing the various features. The ACP is manufactured from TenCate Defender M and integrates the Crye Precision knee pad.
This indicates that it may soon be for sale, at least to Government clients. Their description –
“The PROPPER ACP based on the Crye design is a specialized garment incorporating feedback from field trials and tests conducted in Afghanistan. The ACP, while resembling the appearance of the current Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU), includes unique features, capabilities and characteristics necessary for improved performance on the modern battlefield.
The ACP offered by PROPPER is available in the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern (OCP or MultiCam).”
Dutch newcomer Applied Orange has introduced their take on the combat shirt. Called the FR-UBAX, it is an FR garment manufactured from TenCate Defender M fabric. What’s more, it’s manufactured in Europe to create a true high end and ‘locally’ made product.
Features include
-Full Ten Cate FR fabrics, Dutch woven sleeve and collar fabric and USA made Jersey and Mesh
-V shaped mandarin collar construction for better wearability with vests
-Double sleeve pocket construction with inner zipper closed pocket and full harmonica outer pocket for larger items
Look for these becoming available in August with multiple color variations including MultiCam with Tan 499 body for the US market.
www.appliedorange.nl
Let’s face it, DOD budgets aren’t exactly getting larger these days, so, in the interest of diversifying their customer base and product portfolios, Serket has teamed with TenCate (scrap fabric only – no real Defender M was harmed in the manufacture of this sun dress) and Travis McDowell (and his Grandma) to develop a functioning prototype of the world’s first flame resistant, no-melt, anti-static, anti-microbial, MultiCam sundress (concept only – hold your money orders, operators are NOT standing by).
Test/evaluation is currently underway in Somalia, Syria, The Congo (in Kryptek Mandrake) and Asheville, N.C.
Natick has released a Special Notice making known their intent to “negotiate on a sole source basis with Beyond Clothing, LLC” to produce 310 sets of “AOR 1/2 Fabric (50/50 Nyco), Helmet Covers, Pants and Blouses. These uniforms are among the baseline uniforms required for camouflage testing and evaluation.”
Army-style uniforms and OCIE do not exist in the AOR 1 & 2 patterns. What’s more, the patterns are restricted, so any gear must be manufactured by a company already certified to handle the fabric. OCP, or as it is commercially known, MultiCam is the other baseline pattern for the upcoming field trial phase of the US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort. Due to its use in Afghanistan, there is already an ample supply of the equipment available.
One interesting note. Currently, OCP is only issued as the FR ACU and not the standard FR ACU. While much work has been done to color match dyed TenCate’s Defender-M fabric used to manufacture the FR ACU, the pattern may look differently than it would when printed on 50/50 NYCO. This is a variance that will have to be considered in performance unless the Army also pursues the acquisition of an adequate number of OCP NYCO test uniforms. If they are commercially sourced, further care will need to be taken that such uniforms are not in the so-called MultiCam VS print which does not provide NIR protection.
These ‘baseline’ Government issue patterns will be pitted against four commercial families of patterns to determine the best performer and possible new Army issue camouflage.
The commercial finalists are:
ADS Inc as Prime, partnered with Guy Cramer
Brookwood Companies
Crye Precision
Kryptek
Earlier this year, Marine Corps Special Operations Command purchased Fire Resistant Operational Gear uniforms in the old Woodland camouflage pattern under a sole source contract from Crye Precision. Interestingly, the old Woodland pattern was specified so that MARSOC personnel would blend in with their Afghan (ANA Commandos) counterparts.
Unfortunately, MARSOC asked for the uniforms in an older variant of the FR Defender-M fabric. A little over a year ago, the Marine Corps had adopted an improved version of TenCate’s Defender-M fabric for their FROG ensembles that is more abrasion resistant and the US Army followed suit soon after. We’re still unsure why MARSOC didn’t specify the newer Defender-M from jump street but by late summer KitUp! had broken the story that the special versions of FROG were falling apart. Around the same time, a similar fate befell Australian MultiCam uniforms called Operational Combat Uniforms which also relied on the older fabric.
Since then, both MARSOC and the Australians have purchased new uniforms in the latest, more robust 6.5 oz version of Defender-M which boasts twice the tear strength of the previous variant.
