Air Force tests new suits to protect the crew from biological and chemical attacks

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Image source: U.S. Air Force/military.com

The U.S. Air Force is currently testing a protective suit to protect their crew from biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear attacks.

According to a news release, the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron tried the protective ensemble.

The protective gear is a two-piece layered undergarment, gloves, and respirator, among other items. the protective gear will likely be distributed in 2024.

“This item will service aircrews for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force, so our testing phase is critical,” said 2nd Lt. Gunnar Kral, a CBRN Defense Systems Branch systems engineer at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, in the news release. The new equipment will be replacing the 66P aviation protection ensemble.

According to the announcement, the new undergarment has a better mobility and body heat regulation compared to its predecessor.

“Moving to an underlayer allows aircrews to use an outer layer they’re more familiar with, like their flight suits,” 1st Lt. Hunter Mangueira, an AF CBRN Defense Systems Branch systems engineer at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, said in the release. “We’re trying to make CBRN flight equipment similar to the flight crews’ regular mission set equipment, removing the learning curve and any hindrance when they conduct their missions.”

The services main goal is to reduce the number of bulky clothing layers flight crews had to wear for warmth or unified heath regulation.