3 November 2009, Spartanburg , SC and Newark, EDEL - Milliken
& Company and W.L. Gore & Associates, have announced the launch of
the new JSLIST Chemical/Biological (CB) Coverall for Combat Vehicle Crewman (JC3).
The coverall uses a two layer fabric system consisting of Milliken’s Abrams
flame resistant (FR) fabric and the moisture vapour breathable GORE CHEMPAK Selectively
Permeable protective barrier liner. According to the two companies, the joint
offering has been chosen as the only approved CB Protective fabric system for
the United States Army and Marine combat vehicle crews.
The JC3 is a CB protective garment specifically designed for
use in demanding environments where the potential for exposure to flame hazard
and petroleum, oil and lubricant (POL) contamination is high. The coverall,
while not increasing heat stress when compared to current CB protective
equipment, will provide protection to crewmen from liquid, vapour, and aerosol
forms of CB warfare agents for up to 16 hours even after the fabric system has
been contaminated with petroleum, oils and lubricants. Studies have found that
other chemical/biological suits are not as effective after POL exposure; the
presence of these types of harsh substances can quickly degrade the
effectiveness of the protective liners used in these suits. The ability of the
GORE CHEMPAK Selectively Permeable Fabric to remain protective in a combat
vehicle environment represents a true advancement in CB protective materials.
The durable JC3 has been qualified for a total of 480 hours of field wear and 4
laundries. The JC3 is a one-piece, flame resistant, lightweight, chemical and
biological protective coverall that resembles a standard CVC coverall.
“We are excited about the launch of the JC3
Chemical/Biological Coverall for Combat Vehicle Crewman. Our commercially
available moisture vapour breathable selectively permeable fabrics have been
certified for use in civil responder protective ensembles for some time now,
but the JC3 is largest use to date for military personnel. This coverall is
truly a revolutionary product that will bring enhanced functionality and
protection to the service men and women that put themselves in harm’s way every
day and have to deal with the extreme nature of chem/bio environments,” said
Jan Allmaras, Joint Forces Branch Specialist for GORE.
“The military was looking for a flame resistant fabric that
is not only safe and provides a high level of protection, but is durable as
well. Abrams fabric delivered on that part of the equation, GORE CHEMPAK
Selectively Permeable Fabric delivered the other half – protection against
chemical and biological warfare agents,” said Kim Cope, sales manager for
Milliken Military. “By partnering with GORE, together we were able to produce a
much-needed and important product engineered for use in varying mission
requirements and environmental conditions.”
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