new cold weather clothing for the army

WHEN WILL THEY EVER LEARN? IN POSSIBLY 10 YEARS!!!

The following information is from the army’s interest in developing a new cold weather clothing system for arctic conditions (-65 to +45 degrees).

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation W911QY18R0034
For Cold Temperature and Arctic Protective System (CTAPS) Project

3. Contract Line Items will be as follows: 0001 - Wet Weather Experimental Jackets and Trousers; Quantity 84;
0002 - Extreme Cold Experimental Parka and Trousers; Quantity 78;
0003 - Superfine Knit Shirts and Trousers; Quantity 100;
Delivery: 21, December 2018

They offer a list of companies to go to for the materials that the army believes will be useful in the manufacture of the garments needed. The top of the list is W.L. Gore followed by PolarTec, Apex Mills who make polyester mesh (how that will be used I do not know), Harodite (a company that makes interlinings that I sold when I first entered the textile business. It is basically stiffening material used as any sewer knows as collar canvas, and its purpose also eludes me), Protect the Force (a company I have never heard of, but apparently sells shell fabrics, I’ll check into them next week), Brookwood (also a fabric supplier that I buy from), Climashield (so at the least they are recognizing the proper insulation), and then they have Primaloft on the list (a joke), and finally a “super fine knit base layer” from Hariel (also a company I have never heard of). Since this is what is wanted for use as a base layer that will mean ALL garments worn over them made with the materials asked for will very successfully TRAP ALL SWEAT next to the wearers skin speeding up the acquisition of a chill.

“SUPPLY REQUIREMENT

BACKGROUND: CTAPS is a soldier head to toe clothing ensemble with -65 to +45 F environmental protection. The CTAPS objective shall improve the cold weather soldiers survivability, mobility and lethality potential in the fewest number of clothing layers with increased utility that allow soldiers to configure the clothing protection to match their activity in environment conditions from -65 to +45F. The analysis to date has identified performance capability gaps and is now examining new technology and design improvements”.

“REQUIREMENTS:

The lucky bidder will have until 21 December 2018 to deliver all of the items in the solicitation. (I have paraphrased the requirement. My question is when will these items be tested at the lower spectrum of temperatures?)

As far as I am concerned the best that will be received from all of the bidders willbe a clothing ensemble that will perform from +45 to possibly and I mean possible 0 degrees F the -65 capability will not exist!!!

The army is categorically not going to companies that actually make arctic clothing and are instead relying on companies that have a false belief that they are capable of making the necessary garments. The materials suggested have very successfully proven with the exception of the Climashield “not” to perform in such adverse conditions. The companies that I expect to offer ensembles all currently use all of the named ingredients with the exception of the Climashield except in two instances and I do not know if these two companies will bother offering a bid.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with what I refer to as sustained cold which means -20 F and colder day in and day out for a month it is brutal if you have to go out each day doing something. Think about the men who work the oil fields of Alaska as an example, they for years were given down parkas only to find out their moisture was being absorbed by the down each day and after 3 or 4 days the garments needed to be put in a drier to dry them out. 20 years ago they were introduced to Lamilite and 20 years later Lamilite parkas and bibs made by Wiggy’s are the choice of all the oil field workers. Why, because the Lamilite does not retain any moisture so they can literally wear a parka all winter without the need to dry it out. Maybe to clean it they could wash it and dry it in half an hour, the other garment they buy are fishnet long underwear because it allows ALL of their sweat to move away from them, versus the close knit fabric garments made for a base layer.

This business with the army bothers me for a couple of reasons; 1- The soldiers will not get what they will be told will work in these adverse conditions. 2- As a tax payer I see my tax dollars being wasted. When the garments prove unworthy of the task the army will go back to the drawing board and once again look at the same people who have been providing materials or possibly garments that do not meet the needs of the soldier who is operating in this adverse environmental condition.

I do not believe there is a need for experiments since the garments needed for the task at hand for use by soldiers already exists in the civilian market.

ORDERS

While it is still pleasantly warm we are experiencing an earlier that in the past flow of orders for our parkas particularly those made with DUCKSBACK fabric which has been a pleasant surprise. The winter is supposed to be quite cold so you might as well be prepared.