overview of u.s. special operations command clothing & textile program
DESCRIPTION
Overview of U.S. Special Operations Command Clothing & Textile Program. Fred Chan Program Manager – SOF Warrior Protection Natick Soldier Center. Background. SOF Special Projects Team Individual Protection Directorate U. S. Army Natick Soldier Center Reporting to: PEO-SOF Warrior, - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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