Soldier’s New UniformBy: Zachary Seppala

Smart Fabric For New Soldier Uniform

• British soldiers' uniforms could soon use electrically conducting yarn woven directly into the clothing, replacing cumbersome batteries and cabling.

• The "e-textiles" could provide uniforms with a single, central power source.

• This would allow soldiers to recharge one battery instead of many and cut the number of cables required in their kit.

Fields Tests

• The company is planning to carry out field trials in May and the system could see some limited use by the end of the year. But it is likely to be 2014 or 2015 before the lightweight uniforms see more widespread use.

What It Can Do

• "We have a ring main that allows us to power data wherever we want it to go. We can send power up to the helmet without it being tethered.“

• Also being developed is a fabric keyboard for use with a portable computer that will be integrated with the uniform.

What It Can Do

• “Plug-and-play" connectors used in the current uniform prototype are for demonstration and are unlikely to be the ones used in a finished product.

• We've got the fabric integrated into the vest, into the shirt, into the helmet, the backpack, and into the glove and weapons platform," said Ms. Thompson.

Sources

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-17580666

http://www.manufacturingdigital.com/innovators/intelligent-textiles-showcase-intelligent-uniforms.