Technical Absorbents
Techtextil Frankfurt

Free membership

Receive our weekly Newsletter
and set tailored daily news alerts.

Fibres/​Yarns/​Fabrics

New CB coverall for combat vehicle crewmen

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

3rd November 2009

Innovation in Textiles
 |  Spartanburg , SC and Newark, EDEL

Protective

combat vehicleMilliken & 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.”

Latest Reports

Business intelligence for the fibre, textiles and apparel industries: technologies, innovations, markets, investments, trade policy, sourcing, strategy...

Find out more