InsideOutdoor Magazine

But in this modern age of ubiq-

uitous technology, more and more

material innovations have emerged

out of private industry. This is

especially true in connection with

performance-enhancing materials.

Companies such as Invista,

Polartec, DuPont, W.L. Gore and

Springfield LLC are constantly in-

troducing new textiles with rather

amazing capabilities. Meanwhile,

the U.S. Military is visiting trade

shows such as Outdoor Retailer

Summer and Winter Markets, look-

ing for the next textile innovation

that can help protect soldiers in the

field or make their lives easier in tough

environments.

The U.S. DOD, through the U.S.

Army’s Program Executive Office

Soldier organization, is responsible for

developing and procuring soldier gear

and equipment. This group, which is

commonly known as PEO Soldier,

vets most of the textiles

used by the U.S. Army for

uniforms and body armor,

and other branches often

follow its lead.

InsideOutdoor

re-

cently met with Dr. James

Zheng, lead scientist at

PEO Solider, to discuss

his challenges and the

materials the U.S. govern-

ment is hunting down

now in its effort to protect

and support our troops. Dr. Zheng and

his team are responsible for developing

and evaluating materials for body armor

as well as soldiers’ uniforms.

INSIDEOUTDOOR:

We know there

has been a crossover between private

sector performance wear companies that

conduct R&D with regard to fibers and

fabrics and the military. Their primary

focus may be sportswear, but we know

there is a crossover application to mili-

tary apparel. Given this premise, which

new materials or material innovations

is your team looking for in military

uniforms.

DR. ZHENG:

If we talk in very gen-

eral terms, we are looking for multifunc-

tional materials for uniforms, and for

this we have a very long list of require-

ments. It’s very difficult to meet all of

these requirements using

a single type of fiber,

treatment or coating.

Currently, fabric blend,

as well as multiple

coating steps are

required to impart

the needed function-

ality. Developing

multifunctional ma-

terials is a priority

for the Army.

Flame resistance

is an important re-

quirement for specific

items. We currently

use fabric blends

containing inherently

FR fiber to provide

protection against

a broad range of

thermal threats.

We’re looking for

improved FR materi-

als that can provide

improved field

durability, strength

and comfort.

Moisture

management

and air perme-

ability are also

very impor-

tant because

they’re related

to comfort.

Other relevant

properties include water repellency and

vector protection. We currently use

a topical chemical treatment on

fabric for insect bite protection.

Some items also require anti-

microbial properties.

In addition, many items

must be launderable.

Soldiers are wearing and

washing their uniforms

daily; therefore, coatings

must be durable, such

that the fabric retains

the same properties and

performance after multiple

laundering cycles.

Our current items meet

these various requirements

but require multiple manu-

facturing processes. Ideally,

we would like to combine all

of these properties into one type of fabric

or textile. This is a current research and

development focus area. For example,

the regular Army Combat Uniform is not

flame resistant and we provide a different

uniform (for deployed soldiers) with

flame-resistant properties.

IO:

You said one is flame resistant

and one isn’t?

DR. ZHENG:

Right. Deployed

soldiers and soldiers with specific

operational specialties, such as aviators,

are issued uniforms with FR protection

due to the nature of the operational

risk; however, inherently FR materials

have lower strength and durability. The

standard duty Army Combat Uniform

is made from a nylon/cotton blend

and has a much longer service life, so

it is more economical for use in non-

deployed positions.

The FR uniform has many other

requirements including water repellency

and vector protection, so we would like

to develop a fabric that provides vector

protection, maintains other properties,

and is durable.

IO:

Is the focus on, say insects and

mosquitoes, a new initiative related to

more jungle or tropical operations?

DR. ZHENG:

Yes, but vector protec-

tion is something we have been working

on for many years. We are still working

on development of new insecticides, but

at this time the Pacific Asia region is the

specific focus. We haven’t selected a new

jungle fabric or uniform. We are

The Ghillie Suit provides soldiers with

improved protection from flame and

thermal threats as well as counter-

surveillance and multi-climate protection.

Soldiers can construct, repair and modify

Ghillie Suits to meet unique mission and

climatic requirements.

Combat Gloves

Inside

Outdoor

Fall

2015