Soldier Systems Technology RoadmapOperational Clothing, Footwear, Ballistic

Protection Workshop

OPERATIONAL CLOTHING & LOAD CARRIAGE FUTURE VISION

Major Stéphane DufourOperational Clothing, Individual Equipment,Ballistic & Blast ProtectionDirector Land Requirements 5-4

Château Laurier, Ottawa, ON

12 May 2010

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INTRODUCTION• We have come a very long way since the 1950s• Many improvements to the overall Soldier System• Enhanced performance• Increased functionality• Better integration

Korean War

1950s

Afghanistan

2010

Balkans

1990s

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OUTLINE• The Dismounted Canadian Soldier of Today• Operational Clothing & Equipment Future Vision• Operational Clothing & Equipment Main Deficiencies• Operational Load Carriage Main Deficiencies• Operational Clothing & Equipment & Load Carriage

Roadmap

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THE DISMOUNTED CANADIANSOLDIER OF TODAY

• Average Canadian dismounted Soldier Body Weight: approx 82 Kg

• Average Canadian dismounted Rifleman’s Operational Equipment Weight: approx 44 Kg– Clothing, Indiv Eqpt, Load Carriage: 12 Kg– Ballistic Protection: 12 Kg– Weapons & Ammunition: 9 Kg– Radio, MNVGs, LAD, GPS + batteries: 6 Kg– Water + Rations: 5 Kg

• NATO Standard for max Soldier Operational Equipment weight:– 32% of body weight: 32% of 82 Kg = 26.2 Kg

• The Canadian Soldier carries an average excess vital weight of 17.8 Kg

Imagine, carrying 40kg of equipment at 45oC, in dry heat, hungry, tired, with 4 hours of sleep in the last 48 hours, being yelled at under fire and having to run for cover in order to fight

another day and be able to see your wife and children again. Can you do it without a doubt?

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OPERATIONAL CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT FUTURE VISION

• To have a technologically superior, lightweight, mission configurable, fully integrated & interoperable, multi-function Soldier System that increases operational effectiveness.– A multi-layered concept:

– Operational Clothing System;– Operational Footwear System;– Operational Ballistic & Blast Protection

System;– Operational Load Carriage System; and– Operational Headwear System.

– Must eliminate the environment & climatic conditions as a threat and/or a concern;

– Must provide adaptable ballistic & blast protection against high intensity threats; and

– Must fit properly, be extremely comfortable & gain soldier acceptance.

Clothing is critical to the Soldier and is the foundation

of the Soldier System

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REPRESENTATION OF THESOLDIER SYSTEM

Sold ier N etw orkInc lud ing C om m un ica tions

In tegrationH um an Factors

W eapon s & A m m un ition

In te gra tionH um an F acto rs

B a llis tic & B las tP ro te c tion S ystem

O pera tio na l Lo ad Ca rriageS ystem

O pera tio na l F oo tw e ar S ys tem O pera tiona l E qu ip m e n t S ys tem O pera tiona l H ea dwea r S ystem

O pera tiona l C lo th ing S ystem

O pera tio na l C lo th ing & O pe rationa l E qu ipm ent

S u rve illa nce,T a rge t Acqu is itionN igh t O bse rva tion

Sold ie r SystemM iss ion C on fig u ra b le

In te r-operab leM odu lar

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OPERATIONAL CLOTHING & EQUIPMENTMAIN DEFICIENCIES

• Functionality/Comfort– Loss of dexterity;– Stretch/Tear of the fabric;– Moisture wicking;– Bulk;– Weight;– Longevity/Fading;– Modularity; and– Power generation & storage.

• Limited Protection– Fire/Flame/Flash Retardant;– Heat resistant/shrinkage;– No Anti-Static;– No Electric Arc;– No melt / no drip;– No CBRN; and– No integrated protection

(knee/elbow, groin).

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OPERATIONAL LOAD CARRIAGEMAIN DEFICIENCIES

• Limited Functionality– Modularity;– Capacity;– Fit Adjustability;– Load Stability;– Range of Motion;– Questionable comfort; and– No power generation &

storage.

• Protection & Safety– No protection;– No life preserver;– No Quick release in

emergency situations;– No ballistic & blast protection;

and– High risk of entanglement.

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OPERATIONAL CLOTHING & EQUIPMENTFUTURE REQUIREMENTS (1)

• Enhanced Functionality & Comfort– Weight & Bulk Reduction;– Mission Configurable & Modular;– Easier, quicker donning/doffing;– Enhanced breathability;– Complete Moisture Management and recycling;– Water recycling & purification;– E-Textile: Integrated power generation,

distribution and storage;– Flexible with the ability to seemlessly add-on

technology and interface with networks;– Integrated cooling & heating (sealed system);– Integrated electronics, flexible displays &

others; and– Integrated Initial Load Carriage.

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OPERATIONAL CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT FUTURE REQUIREMENTS (2)

• Enhanced Protection & Safety– 100% Fire/Flame/Flash/Heat/Cold

Retardant/Resistant;– 100% no melt/drip;– 100% Anti-Static/Electric resistance;– Integrated joint & groin protection;– Stab/Needle/Bite protection;– Initial Ballistic and Blast Protection.– Integrated all weather protection;– Initial 4 hrs CBRN protection;– Integrated IFF + Blue Force Tracking/Reporting;– Integrated life sign monitoring & tracking &

automated call for help;– Exo Skeleton enhancing load carrying

capability; and– Adaptive & reactive camouflage (Predator

concept).

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OPERATIONAL LOAD CARRIAGEFUTURE REQUIREMENTS

• Enhanced Functionality– 100% Mission configurable

and modular;– Commonality of parts

(common suspension system);

– Increased comfort & adjustability;

– Enhanced Range of Motion;– Enhanced Load Stability

independent of how it is configured;

– Power generation, distribution & storage; and

– Ability to add-on any new technology.

• Enhanced Protection & Safety– Improved quick release in

emergency situations;– Enhanced Ballistic & Blast

Protection;– Integrated Life Preserver;

and– Integrated IFF + Blue Force

Tracking & Reporting.

Soldiers will always have loads to carry and a well designed, human

factors validated and soldier accepted Load Carriage system is a critical

Soldier System add-on

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OPERATIONAL CLOTHING, EQUIPMENT &LOAD CARRIAGE TIMELINE

Click to view Excel Document

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QUESTIONS?

“Santa, I’ve been a good boy!Can I please get cool kit that actually all works together so I don’t have to use my

credit card and go buy it myself?”

CONTACT INFOMajor Stéphane Dufour

Director Land Requirements 5-4

Operational Clothing, Individual

Equipment & Personal Protection

Stephane.Dufour@forces.gc.caBlackberry: 613-513-7068

Office: 819-997-2020

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MISSIONS/TASKS & OPERATING ENVIRONMENT OF THE CANADIAN SOLDIER• Missions & tasks :

– Defence of Canada;– Combat operations;– Humanitarian Aid

operations;– Stability operations (peace

keeping);– Interact with the population;– Disaster relief;– Larger Area of Operations;

and– Decentralized operations.

• The operating environment:– Integrated GoC 3D approach:

Diplomacy, Defence, Development;

– Coalitions & Joint Operations;– Media coverage; and– Local & Canadian population

scrutiny.