The Marine Corps System Command has chosen Malden Mills Industries, Inc.’s Polartec® Power Shield® fabric for use in the new Marine Corps Combat Desert Jacket (CDJ).
The CDJ is a new item in the Marine Corps inventory that is designed to enhance survivability in high desert and cold/dry environments, conditions prevalent in Afghanistan and Northern Iraq. This new contract calls for fielding a total of 317,644 jackets over the next 5 years, representing $10 million in Polartec Power Shield sales. The jackets will be manufactured by 180s LLC of Baltimore, Maryland.
Working closely with Natick Soldier Center in Natick MA, and the Marine Corps System Command based in Quantico, VA, Malden Mills developed a military-specific version of Polartec® Power Shield® designed to meet the broad spectrum of combat environments. Polartec® Power Shield®, as well as competing products were then extensively field and lab tested by the Marine Corps, with Polartec® Power Shield® emerging as the selected fabric. The Polartec® Power Shield® fabric chosen for the CDJ features an extremely abrasion resistant face for long lasting durability, blocks 98% of the wind to prevent wind chill and sand penetration, has a water repellent surface that sheds rain and snow, is highly breathable to resist heat stress buildup, stretches to allow a full range of motion, provides warmth without the weight and bulk of traditional insulating fabrics, has anti-microbial properties and creates far less noise than a traditional shell to enhance stealth. In addition, the fabric is printed using the Marine Disruptive Pattern digital camouflage with special dyestuffs that both help cloak the body under daylight and helps prevent detection from night vision technologies.
Regarding this award, Malden Mills CEO and President Michael Spillane said, “The Marine Corps continues to be a critically important development partner for Malden Mills. By working together with Natick Soldier Center and the Marine Corps System Command, we have helped build performance fabrics that improve the comfort, safety and survivability of the individual Marine. This new Polartec® Power Shield® fabric being used in the Combat Desert Jacket represents the pinnacle of performance in textiles and is the latest example of our commitment to innovation.”
