Advances In "Intelligence Clothing" Could Save U.S. Military Lives

Photo By U.S. Army Spc. Sara Wakai

Intelligent Clothing Could Save US Military Lives -- Yahoo News/Live Science

When soldiers fall wounded on future battlefields, their smart uniforms may instantly report the location of gunshot wounds or even detect traces of nuclear, biological or chemical attacks in blood and sweat. That intelligent clothing could make a lifesaving difference in medical care and give U.S. commanders a sense of battles unfolding as casualties mount.

The smart uniforms would include medical sensors built into the fabric to monitor the health of U.S. troops, according to a notice issued by the Pentagon's Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) on May 7. Such clothes would not only detect where wounds occurred and how deep they go, but also report a fallen soldier's location with GPS coordinates and pass along other critical information for battlefield medics.

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My Comment: This research looks very promising.

Army Gear Gets Tailored For Afghan Mission

U.S. soldiers stand guard near the site of an explosion in the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan on March 15. By Rafiq Maqbool, AP

From USA Today:

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — After seven years of combat, the Army is sending soldiers to Afghanistan with tougher, lighter gear to help them deal with the rugged, high terrain.Everything from boots to pants to mountaineering equipment is being redesigned as the military prepares to send 21,000 more servicemembers there by summer. Each new piece of equipment must balance the protection it offers with the weight it adds to a soldier's burden.

The weight of soldiers' gear has become a top concern for the Army. This month, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army's vice chief of staff, told U.S. senators the average soldier's load of rucksack, weapon, ammunition, helmet and gear can top 130 pounds. That weight makes soldiers tired and more prone to injury, Chiarelli said.

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My Comment: Are they saying that the uniforms worn for the past 7 years have not been up to spec? I guess there is always room for improvement.