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he U.S. Department of Defense, in initiatives typically led by researchers within the
U.S. Army, traditionally has been committed to developing new materials and fab-
rics that
will enhance the performance of soldiers in the field, be they aviators, foot soldiers
or Special Forces teams. Prior to about the 1990s, the DOD, one way or another, was behind much of the
innovation in textiles. The material innovations that came out of NASA are prime examples.
Dr. Zheng, head of
the U.S. Army’s POE Soldier
organization, discussesthe
missionto find material innovations
T
Soldiers attending the U.S. Army Mountain
Warfare School in Jericho, Vt., begin their final
phase of the Basic Military Mountaineering course often referred to as the
“Mountain Walk” at Smugglers’ Notch, in Jeffersonville, Vt., Feb. 19, 2015.
(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Sarah Mattison)
By
Glenna B.
Musante
Inside
Outdoor
|
Fall
2015
24