- Reaction score
- 900
- Points
- 1,010
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/LF/English/6_1_1.asp?ID=33
Monday, June 16, 2003
Capt Peter Scott wears the rain suit and Sgt Ernie Parolin wears the sniper suit
Work continues towards providing soldiers with improved personal kit over the next several years-from elbow and kneepads to hydration systems, from rain suits to arctic camouflage.
Although some of the equipment is either adapted or purchased for the Army from available off the shelf products, many others are the results of extensive research and field trials.
Canadian industry also participates in the development of new kit, whether researching how to dye combat boots with the CADPAT pattern or developing a prototype of an improved snowshoe.
Knee and elbow pads
Elbow and kneepads
The most common injury suffered by infantry soldiers involves their knees. Elbow injuries occur regularly during Fighting in Built Up Area (FIBUA) training.
After two years of trials, the pads‘ final designs provide the most protection and comfort and will be issued in two sizes. Units preparing for overseas deployment will receive the pads on priority issue, followed by Regular and Reserve infantry units, the Combat Training Centre (CTC) and Area Training centres.
An order for 4500 sets of elbow and kneepads is currently being manufactured, with delivery expected to take place in 2003, with a follow-up contract for 8000.
Capt Richard Montague models the thermal lightweight blanket.
Lightweight thermal blanket
While the material remains the same, three new features have been added to the Canadian version of the US Poncho Liner or Ranger Blanket-a zippered head hole, a full-length two-way zipper and CADPAT.
Delivery of 6000 Lightweight Thermal Blankets is expected to begin in August 2003. No more US blankets will be purchased and over the next several years soldiers will exchange their US blankets and sleeping bag flannelette liners for the new blankets.
Sniper suit
A complicated garment for industry to develop and one that many companies have looked at developing but decided not too, the prototype sniper suit contains at least 14 different styles of pockets and multiple loops hidden throughout.
Designed by Canadian Forces (CF) snipers, the new suits will be available in four sizes, accommodate additional layers for thermal protection and incorporate additional padding. To date CF snipers wear their own versions of British and American suits. A call for contracts to manufacture this specialist garment goes out this spring.
The pants and jacket sets will be purchased in both CADPAT Temperate Woodland and Arid Region and issued to all qualified CF snipers as a base garment, to which the snipers will add their own Gillie capes and scrim.
Rain suit
The Army‘s next rain suit will be a breathable garment.
During an extensive eight-month trial based in Gagetown from April to December 2002-the area‘s wettest season in recent years-members of Whiskey Battery, 20th Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (CTC) trialed both a rubber-lined suit and breathable suit in the field.
Substantive collected data lead to the decision to procure a breathable garment. The Army‘s design is expected to be converged with the Air Force‘s new rain suit, including essential requirements for both elements, with issuing to begin in 2004.
Hydration system
The design for the Army‘s new personal hydration system is compatible with the tactical vest and future load carriage systems. It holds three litres of water and comes with a built in cleaning kit.
The system will be issued to combat arms units and CF personnel deploying on operations. The system underwent user trials in East Timor, Eritrea and Afghanistan. The Army plans to begin issuing the system this fiscal year (03-04).
Snowshoes and a prototype of the winter operations CADPAT.
Snowshoes
Based on user trials done in 2002, the CF‘s new snowshoe has been designed to be stronger, provide better traction and stability, and include a multi-fit harness.
No longer an individual issue item, the snowshoes will be issued to unit accounts, through which individuals will be issued the snowshoes for operations and training. The Army is hoping to procure between 5 000 and 6 000 pairs for winter 03, followed by additional buys each year to replenish stocks.
Extreme cold weather boots
Following user trials of three designs of extreme cold weather boots in British Columbia, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, the Army has come up with a list of specifications required in its new extreme cold weather boots.
A final set of user trials will take place during winter 2004 with prototype boots submitted by interested companies, from which the winning design will be chosen. Procurement is expected to begin in winter 2005.
CADPAT winter operations and urban
Unlike the combination of four colours in the temperate pattern and three colours in the arid pattern, the new winter operations pattern will likely combine white and shades of grey and include a reversible, all-white side.
Over the past several years, the Army has been conducting imagery and technical trials to develop a winter operations version of CADPAT.
Canada is also participating in NATO studies to determine the requirements and advantages of an urban camouflage pattern.
***
Well, sounds like lots of good kit coming down the line. Let‘s hope that the army bureaucracy delays are minimal and the troops get the stuff as soon as possible.
Monday, June 16, 2003
Capt Peter Scott wears the rain suit and Sgt Ernie Parolin wears the sniper suit
Work continues towards providing soldiers with improved personal kit over the next several years-from elbow and kneepads to hydration systems, from rain suits to arctic camouflage.
Although some of the equipment is either adapted or purchased for the Army from available off the shelf products, many others are the results of extensive research and field trials.
Canadian industry also participates in the development of new kit, whether researching how to dye combat boots with the CADPAT pattern or developing a prototype of an improved snowshoe.
Knee and elbow pads
Elbow and kneepads
The most common injury suffered by infantry soldiers involves their knees. Elbow injuries occur regularly during Fighting in Built Up Area (FIBUA) training.
After two years of trials, the pads‘ final designs provide the most protection and comfort and will be issued in two sizes. Units preparing for overseas deployment will receive the pads on priority issue, followed by Regular and Reserve infantry units, the Combat Training Centre (CTC) and Area Training centres.
An order for 4500 sets of elbow and kneepads is currently being manufactured, with delivery expected to take place in 2003, with a follow-up contract for 8000.
Capt Richard Montague models the thermal lightweight blanket.
Lightweight thermal blanket
While the material remains the same, three new features have been added to the Canadian version of the US Poncho Liner or Ranger Blanket-a zippered head hole, a full-length two-way zipper and CADPAT.
Delivery of 6000 Lightweight Thermal Blankets is expected to begin in August 2003. No more US blankets will be purchased and over the next several years soldiers will exchange their US blankets and sleeping bag flannelette liners for the new blankets.
Sniper suit
A complicated garment for industry to develop and one that many companies have looked at developing but decided not too, the prototype sniper suit contains at least 14 different styles of pockets and multiple loops hidden throughout.
Designed by Canadian Forces (CF) snipers, the new suits will be available in four sizes, accommodate additional layers for thermal protection and incorporate additional padding. To date CF snipers wear their own versions of British and American suits. A call for contracts to manufacture this specialist garment goes out this spring.
The pants and jacket sets will be purchased in both CADPAT Temperate Woodland and Arid Region and issued to all qualified CF snipers as a base garment, to which the snipers will add their own Gillie capes and scrim.
Rain suit
The Army‘s next rain suit will be a breathable garment.
During an extensive eight-month trial based in Gagetown from April to December 2002-the area‘s wettest season in recent years-members of Whiskey Battery, 20th Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery (CTC) trialed both a rubber-lined suit and breathable suit in the field.
Substantive collected data lead to the decision to procure a breathable garment. The Army‘s design is expected to be converged with the Air Force‘s new rain suit, including essential requirements for both elements, with issuing to begin in 2004.
Hydration system
The design for the Army‘s new personal hydration system is compatible with the tactical vest and future load carriage systems. It holds three litres of water and comes with a built in cleaning kit.
The system will be issued to combat arms units and CF personnel deploying on operations. The system underwent user trials in East Timor, Eritrea and Afghanistan. The Army plans to begin issuing the system this fiscal year (03-04).
Snowshoes and a prototype of the winter operations CADPAT.
Snowshoes
Based on user trials done in 2002, the CF‘s new snowshoe has been designed to be stronger, provide better traction and stability, and include a multi-fit harness.
No longer an individual issue item, the snowshoes will be issued to unit accounts, through which individuals will be issued the snowshoes for operations and training. The Army is hoping to procure between 5 000 and 6 000 pairs for winter 03, followed by additional buys each year to replenish stocks.
Extreme cold weather boots
Following user trials of three designs of extreme cold weather boots in British Columbia, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, the Army has come up with a list of specifications required in its new extreme cold weather boots.
A final set of user trials will take place during winter 2004 with prototype boots submitted by interested companies, from which the winning design will be chosen. Procurement is expected to begin in winter 2005.
CADPAT winter operations and urban
Unlike the combination of four colours in the temperate pattern and three colours in the arid pattern, the new winter operations pattern will likely combine white and shades of grey and include a reversible, all-white side.
Over the past several years, the Army has been conducting imagery and technical trials to develop a winter operations version of CADPAT.
Canada is also participating in NATO studies to determine the requirements and advantages of an urban camouflage pattern.
***
Well, sounds like lots of good kit coming down the line. Let‘s hope that the army bureaucracy delays are minimal and the troops get the stuff as soon as possible.
