The U.S. Army is testing fabrics for a new combat uniform as the Defense Threat Reduction Agency works to develop a design that includes protection from chemical agents and reduces thermal burden.The Army said Wednesday the effort is part of the Integrated Protective Fabric System program led by the service and the U.S. Air Force, with support from academia and industry partners.
According to the report, the Army Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center, Air Force Civil Engineering Center and Edgewood Chemical Biological Center are the main partners involved in the program.
“The quality of our labs and test methods, and our reach-back support from subject-matter experts in toxicology and decontamination from across the center make us an ideal partner for this type of program,” said Brian MacIver, head of the ECBC Permeation and Analytical Solutions Branch.
The report said recent tests focused on the chemical agent absorption and fabric reactions via the low-volatility agent permeation, air liquid vapor aerosol group and advanced super-shedding efficacy methods.
Tests will proceed through the end of the current fiscal year, the Army added.
