With more soldiers rotating through the Pacific, the Army wants to ensure it can keep soldiers cool in the hot, humid jungle — and that includes evaluation of a possible substitute Army Combat Uniform.

Gore is one company displaying its material at AUSA, and company officials are preparing for field trials expected to be conducted later this year.

It's still unclear what the Army's ultimate requirements will be.

Gore's uniform mixes in a strong, water-repelling material in place of some of the nylon ACU fibers. That makes the material much lighter in weight and quicker to dry, while retaining strength.

"In a jungle environment, you're going to get wet. And if I'm going to get wet, how do I get dry as quickly as possible," said Gore product specialist Mike Miller, who said the technology for the uniforms is ready to go. "A portion of (the material) doesn't pick up any water."

Gore has designed a lightweight and quick-drying material for jungle ACUs.

Photo Credit: Gore

The fabric, Miller said, is not waterproof like Gore-Tex, a material used in camouflage rain coats and other outerwear. Gore-Tex, though breathable, was not ideal for a hot humid environment, Miller said. The unit on display at AUSA clearly had a thinner, lighter feel that stands out in contrast to the more rugged ACU; Miller said that weight and breathability would be the most striking aspects to soldiers.

Marines ran trials of jungle-specific materials more than a year ago; the Army followed suit when it issued its Request for Information in April.

The new suit will not be fully flame resistant like the deployable ACUs. Miller said Gore can produce a version that meets the standard, but the Army is only requiring no-melt, no-drip (won't melt and fuse to skin, but won't self-extinguish). Miller said the Army determined the threat scenarios for that environment didn't currently necessitate it.

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