AF Tests Flame Resistant Uniform

[sfdefender]

AF Tests Flame Resistant Uniform
Week of September 14, 2009

The Air Force is currently researching different types of fibers for a flame-resistant uniform. Wool may be a prime candidate since it will char instead of melt when exposed to a high flame. Also, wool resists wrinkles, stains, and moisture. What's more,  it's durable, retains its shape and is comfortable in all seasons. The Air Force Uniform Office (AFUO) is currently researching many different fiber options for fire-resistant clothing, and continues to work joint initiatives with sister services.


MATTHEW J BREWER
Maj, CAP
Wool?!? Considering our current area of operations...Brilliant!  :clap:

[Thom]

AF Tests Flame Resistant Uniform
Week of September 14, 2009

The Air Force is currently researching different types of fibers for a flame-resistant uniform. Wool may be a prime candidate since it will char instead of melt when exposed to a high flame. Also, wool resists wrinkles, stains, and moisture. What's more,  it's durable, retains its shape and is comfortable in all seasons. The Air Force Uniform Office (AFUO) is currently researching many different fiber options for fire-resistant clothing, and continues to work joint initiatives with sister services.

MATTHEW J BREWER
Maj, CAP
Wool?!? Considering our current area of operations...Brilliant!  :clap:

Actually there have been quite a few advances in 'summer wool' over the last few years.  There are even some sport clothing lines using it as a performance fabric option for those who don't want a synthetic.

Just because wool has traditionally been woven into heavy winter garments doesn't mean that is all it is good for.

Wool is a vastly capable fabric, but I'm not sure it will end up as the choice for the USAF Fire Resistant/Flash Resistant garments, primarily due to cost and upkeep issues.  Most of the other options (nomex, etc.) are far more resilient to typical soldier/airman handling and storage than real wool.  Even treated wool takes more care to avoid mildew, mold, and insect damage than any of the synthetic options.

But this is still very interesting...

Thom Hamilton

[Nick]

Wouldn't a wool uniform be just a tid itchy?

[SarDragon]

Wouldn't a wool uniform be just a tid itchy?

Not so much any more. I had a real problem with wool when I was younger, but the new wool Navy dress blues from the mid '80s were fine. The modern processing has done a lot for wearability.

[bosshawk]

Hmmmm: I picture a wool flight suit, boots and gloves in a 182 in the Mojave Desert of California in August.  Bad enough in nomex.

[Al Sayre]

What if you're allergic to wool? 

[Hawk200]

What if you're allergic to wool?

Most people aren't really allergic to wool, it's skin irritation from the fibers.

Sometimes the skin irritation can be resolved by treating the wool with lanolin(which is removed from the wool after shearing).

However, for some folks this is a problem because they're allergic to the lanolin.

I don't know if there are any other methods of treating wool, I haven't researched it. I wouldn't be surprised if there are.

[notaNCO forever]

 Would this be for flight suits only or the next version of ABUs to?

[Hawk200]

Would this be for flight suits only or the next version of ABUs to?

Most of what the Air Force reseach is focusing on is undergarments to the flightsuits, as well as the ABU.

Although a lot of the articles are stating "fire resistant" or "flame resistant"when it comes to ACUs/ABUs/MCUUs, most of what is being addressed is actually "flash resistant". The materials only offer a few seconds of flash flame resistance, not the (relatively) longer times offered by Nomex and similar fire resistance materials to extended fire.

[ol'fido]

Army has had BDU Flight Suits(BDUFS/B-doofus) for a while. Basically, a two piece set of BDU's made of flame resistant material. Never wore any but they looked like cheap sweat shop BDUs made in E. Elbonia or someplace. Don't know if they still use them.

[Hawk200]

Army has had BDU Flight Suits(BDUFS/B-doofus) for a while. Basically, a two piece set of BDU's made of flame resistant material. Never wore any but they looked like cheap sweat shop BDUs made in E. Elbonia or someplace. Don't know if they still use them.

The ABDU (Aircrew Battle Dress Uniform) has been phased out for general use. Some of the Special Ops folks have been granted an exception. There's a message on it, readily available on the web if you Google it.

The uniform had some mods to it that wouldn't allow it to pass as a regular BDU, unless at a distance. Sleeve pocket, waist adjustment straps of the shirt, Velcro pockets, calf pockets. It was produced in Nomex.

ACUs come in three varieties: regular, flash resistant, and fire resistant.

The flash resistant has some fire resistant fibers woven into the fabric that is designed to deal with IEDs, booby traps, trip wires, etc. That's probably the fabric the Air Force is using in their Fire Resistant ABU.The fabric is cheaper than Nomex, so more uniforms can be fielded at lower cost.

Fire resistant ACUs are made of Nomex, same material as our flightsuits. It's simply printed with the digital camo the Army is using. It's closer in design to regular ACUs, but still wouldn't pass close up.

[Spike]

The AF is also testing plastic fibers that can stop bullets.  The Army and Marines are already producing lightweight plastic helmets to replace Kevlar. 

Soon your uniform jacket and pants will stop bullets and flying projectiles.

Instead of one service testing different things than another service....they should all get together and get on the same page.  One research facility, one set of uniforms.  Lets get our tax dollars spent wisely. 

This AF test is a waste.  It should be carried out at a university under a Government grant somewhere.  Instead we are paying buckets of extra $$ that is not needed, just because it has "DoD" or "AF" stamped on it. 

[Hawk200]

Instead of one service testing different things than another service....they should all get together and get on the same page.  One research facility, one set of uniforms.  Lets get our tax dollars spent wisely. 

Agreed. The problem is that the various branches don't want to accept research from each other. "Not Invented Here" syndrome.

This AF test is a waste.

I'll agree there. The Army started fielding flash resistant uniform a few years ago. It's only in the past year and a half that the Air Force has put out there that they're "researching" that type of thing.   

It should be carried out at a university under a Government grant somewhere.

Don't know about a university setting. A single multi service research facility would maintain a continuity in testing, and fielding that would be easier.

Instead we are paying buckets of extra $$ that is not needed, just because it has "DoD" or "AF" stamped on it.

Anything used by the military would have to have a "DOD stamp" on it to certify that it has passed the appropriate requirements. It's just like the stipulation in 39-1 that says that it has to have an Air Force certification label to be worn in the blues combination. It's really the only way to make absolutely certain that the design comforms to proper patterns, designs, etc.

[Mustang]

Wow, some of you people have clearly never owned a high-quality civilian suit before! 

[Spike]

Instead we are paying buckets of extra $$ that is not needed, just because it has "DoD" or "AF" stamped on it.

Anything used by the military would have to have a "DOD stamp" on it to certify that it has passed the appropriate requirements. It's just like the stipulation in 39-1 that says that it has to have an Air Force certification label to be worn in the blues combination. It's really the only way to make absolutely certain that the design conforms to proper patterns, designs, etc.

Oh I work with MILSPEC everyday!  The reason the military items are so expensive to tax payers is very simple.  Greed.  The government does not inspect products.  Privately owned companies are certified by the FED to certify government standards.  Those inspectors charge huge fees to come inspect products off the assembly line.  In turn those fees are passed on to the FED, and that is why the Government pencil costs $1.15

Then there are those companies that created the mold for a new product the Government wants.  Initially the cost is high, because the manufacturers cost were high creating the mold.  They then get a 20 year contract and charge at the same rate as year one at year 7 or 8.

Finally there are programs for special groups of businesses (Veterans, disabled vets, minorities, etc) that have access to "banked" contracts in a database that is only accessible to those groups of businesses.  These are set-aside contracts just for them.  There are so many "banked" contracts that the business can take any thing available without going through the "lowest bidder" process.  These businesses are considered in the "8" series of the SBA and government contracting guides. 

The best thing a vet or disabled vet or minority person can do is start their own business and go after Government contracts. It is all PROFIT.

[O-Rex]

I remember once-upon-a-time when the Army's Natick Labs tested & developed materials for the Army and USAF.

It took HOW many years for USAF to go twice around the block with the bright blue tiger-striped tuck-in/tuck-out shirt with wear tests etc, just to come back to the basic four-pocket BDU-style uniform, with a few mods?

One of these days the SecDef's going to put a stop to all this nonsense...