overview of u.s. special operations command clothing & textile program

Overview ofU.S. Special Operations Command

Clothing & Textile Program

Fred ChanProgram Manager – SOF Warrior Protection

Natick Soldier Center

Background

• SOF Special Projects Team Individual Protection DirectorateU. S. Army Natick Soldier Center

• Reporting to: PEO-SOF Warrior, U. S. Special Operations Command, Tampa, FL

• Responsibility: Development and fielding of clothing and individual equipment for SOF operators (SPEAR program).

SPEAR Program Growth

• 10X funding increase to $48M in FY06

• $296M total funding in POM 06-11

• $193M PROC funds in POM 06-11

• $86M in O&M funds in POM 06-11

Current SPEAR Program

• Lightweight Environmental Protection• Body Armor/ Load Carriage System• Modular Integrated Communications Helmet• Lightweight NBC Protection• Signature Reduction• Ballistic/Laser Eyewear• Modular Target Identification & Acquisition• Team/Platoon C4I• Physiological Management• Maritime Equipment • Survival Equipment

Lightweight Environmental Protection (LEP)

• Environmental Protective Clothing– Cold Weather Clothing (LEP & PCU)– Wet Weather Clothing (PCU)– Hot Weather Clothing

• Extremity Protection System– Handwear (MGS), Headwear and Socks

• Tactical Boot Suite– Winter Mountaineering Boot– Hot Dry Boot– Assault Boot

Fielded

Body Armor Load Carrying System

• Body Armor Systems– Releasable Body Armor Vest (RBAV)– Modular Body Armor Vest (MBAV)– Low Visibility Body Armor Vest (LVBAV)

• Load Carriage Systems– Enhanced Load Carrying System (ELCS)– SOF Load Carriage System (SOF LCS)

• SOF Backpack system– BALCS Backpack– SOF Backpack System

Fielded

Lightweight NBC Protection

• Garments– All Purpose Personal Protective Ensemble (AP-PPE)– Seven Day NBC protective garment– Slag Protective Suit– JSLIST Block 1 Glove Upgrade (JB1GU)

Fielded

Maritime Equipment

• Garment– Maritime Assault Suit (MAS)– Combatant Crewman suit (rainsuit)

• Dry Bags

Fielded

Survival Equipment

• Tents

• Sleeping Bags

Product Transitions

• Fielded by Army Rapid Fielding Initiative:

– Lightweight Environmental Protection

– Modular Integrated Communications Helmet

– Modular Glove System

– BALCS body armor plate

USSOCOM & NISH

The product development relationship between

USSOCOM and the NISH needed improvements:

• Detailed specification vs. performance specs.

• Need access to rapid innovation and improvements.

• Overall product quality requires improvement.

• Enhance user acceptance of products.

Competitive Development Model (CDM)

Establish a JWOD compliant process for partnering the National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH) non-profit agencies (NPAs) with commercial garment vendors to produce higher quality, Berry-compliant products that improve user acceptance in military applications.

CDM Objectives

• Improve garment performance by leveraging commercial capabilities in design and innovation.

• Improve product quality through application of “best commercial practices”.

• Establish a mechanism for technology insertion and continuous product improvement.

• Improve user acceptance through branding.

CDM Parameters

• Selection process of partners is transparent.

• A contract defines relationship between partners.

• Partnerships should be mutually beneficial.

• Partnerships are for a specified timeframe.

• Partnerships are renewable.

• Partnerships can be terminated.

CDM Process

• USSOCOM defines product requirement.

• NISH identifies potential partners through sources sought (i.e. using FEDBIZOPS).

• USSOCOM and NISH evaluate technical proposals from potential sources.

• NISH selects partner and negotiates legal terms.

• USSOCOM, NISH and partner initiate product development.

Benefits to Industry

• Diversification of marketplace.

• Increase total market size.

• Eliminates need for domestic production.

• Involvement in design of garments for “extreme” applications.

Benefits to NISH

• Continuous organizational learning of new production techniques and quality assurance.

• Improved product performance and quality.

• Potential access to larger military or government market.

Benefits to USSOCOM

• Improved access to commercial innovation.

• Improved product performance.

• Improved product quality.

• Improved user acceptance through branding.

Contact Information

Fred Chan

Program Manager – SOF Warrior Protection

508-233-4212

fred.chan@us.army.mil