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The Future Force Warrior uniform suite will be
fabricated from flexible structural framework designed for
unconstrained vertical or lateral movement, even with full
combat/assault load. For protection and enhanced survivability,
standard uniforms will be replaced by a full spectrum protective
combat ensemble, fabricated from ultra-lightweight materials which
will also provide resistance to friction and wear, water, chemical
and biological agents.
Protection elements
The suite will have a built-in microclimate conditioning
system in garments made of spaced fabric, with built-in
capillaries blowing hot or cold air through the system. Future
combat clothing may also include embedded electrical conductors, for
power distribution, communications and signature (heat) suppression.
Additional layers of ballistic protective shield will provide
sufficient multi-hit protection from small arms fire and shrapnel.
The bulletproof shell will be separated from the body by foam pads
absorbing impact trauma. This design provides additional
protection to the rib cage, while maintaining air flow for body
cooling. The protective vest will also be used as load-bearing
chassis. New robotic platforms will be developed as part of the FFW
program, to augment the team during dismounted operations. One
vehicle will be the small individual soldier support system, a
miniature robotic vehicle will help clear inside buildings; a squad
level support vehicle assisting to transport loads and sustain the troops
on dismounted missions; and a larger vehicle with both direct and
indirect fire capabilities linking the FFW
and FCS programs.
 Helmet & Headgear
The helmet will mount a new
high definition see-through
eyepiece, a GPS antenna, 3D audio and integrated bone conduction
microphones (osteophone), which will replace the current headsets
and enable efficient hands-free communications. Gel based sensors
will also be integrated into the helmet, to monitor the human life
signs (pulse and breathing rate). This information will become
available
for remote assisted medical support and real-time unit level status
monitoring. The system will also support remote health monitoring
and medical treatment. To assess the soldier's physical condition
and health status, the system will monitor the individual's blood
pressure, heart rate, internal and external body temperature, and
caloric consumption rate. Commanders and medics will be able to
access the information through a tactical local area network. Early
warning of heat and cold injuries could be provided before serious
effects develop. Such conditions are responsible for a large
percentage of casualties in both battle and training. If a soldier
is injured, medics can start making an assessment before they even
get to an injured soldier. A specialist physician, who can be miles
away, will now be able to diagnose and treat a soldier who is about
to have sunstroke, without even physically seeing the soldier.
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