The United States Congress has approved $21 million for Polartec garments for the US Military in the 2005 Defense Spending Bill. Included in this funding is $1.5 million to continue research and development of electronic textiles for the Armys Combat Casualty Care program, which provides remote physiological monitoring of soldiers in combat.
2005 Polartec programs funded include the Army Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), the Marine Corps Mountain Cold Weather Clothing and Equipment Program (MCWCEP), and the Navy Air Warfare Centers Multi-Climate Protection System (MCPS).
“Malden Mills is extremely proud of our relationship with the U.S. military,” said Malden Mills CEO Michael Spillane. “Our company is dedicated to using our advanced R+D capabilities to create Polartec® products that provide the warfighter with gear that delivers performance, comfort, and protection from the threats of the battlefield. We are grateful for the business the company continues to receive from the Department of Defense, as well as for the support of our elected officials, including Senator Kennedy, Senator Kerry, Senator Gregg, Senator Sununu, Congressman Meehan, Congressman Bradley, and Congressman Bass.”
Polartec® fabrics are used extensively in all branches of the United States military including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Special Operations Forces.
In addition to this congressional funding, the Department of Defense has recently approved a U.S. Army Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI) that calls for 400,000 sets of silkweight Polartec® Power Dry® shirts and pants for use as a base layer. This program is the result of lessons learned by the Army in Afghanistan and represents a movement within the military towards the use of technical next-to-skin fabrics that increase comfort, safety, and performance for soldiers in the field.
Mr. Fred Chan of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Special Projects Team of the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Systems Center was extensively involved in the field testing process and approval of Polartec® Power Dry® for the Special Operations Forces and the U.S. Army. Mr. Chan, Program Manager SOF Warrior Protection, stated, “We purchased state-of-the-art garments and materials from the best companies in the outdoor industry to test their performance. At the end of a rigorous process, the best performing products had one thing in common Polartec® Power Dry® fabric was found to best meet the operational needs of our users. It was the fastest wicking, fastest drying and most comfortable base layer fabric we tested.”
The $1.5 million grant for Combat Casualty Care will be used to continue efforts to design electronic textiles for the US military to monitor and transmit soldiers pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, and location back to military medics responsible for their well being in the field. The Combat Casualty Care program will save lives by enabling medics to quickly evaluate a situation and focus their efforts on the soldiers who need it most.
Regarding these Polartec® military programs, Senator Edward Kennedy, (D- MA) said, “Malden Mills makes an invaluable contribution to our nation's defense. The high-tech Polartec® fabrics they manufacture for use in military clothing perform well under the most grueling weather conditions.”
Senator John Kerry, (D-MA) said, “Malden Mills is a landmark American manufacturer, and with this funding they will continue to provide our men and women in uniform high-tech clothing and gear that is second-to-none. Malden Mills is a key component of New England manufacturing. This funding will keep their business strong for our troops and for the families who depend on a strong American manufacturing base.”
Congressman Marty Meehan, (D-5th/MA) added, “This funding is great news for the workers of Malden Mills and the communities of Lawrence and Methuen. I'm pleased that every year the partnership between Malden Mills and the military has grown even stronger. It's a boost to our men and women in uniform and to the local economy.” Congressman Meehan continued, saying “I learned first hand in Afghanistan how much our troops rely on gear manufactured by Malden Mills. Their Polartec® for the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System is one of the most popular and useful items for U.S. soldiers working through the cold winters of Afghanistan. Our people on the front lines of the global war on terror deserve the best clothing and equipment. ”
“I was pleased to see that the U.S. Military has chosen to continue their relationship with Malden Mills,” said Congressman Jeb Bradley, (R-1st/NH). “The Polartec® fabrics that Malden Mills manufactures go a long way in making sure that the brave men and women protecting our liberties have the comfort level necessary to complete their mission.”
Congressman Charles Bass, (R-2nd/NH) said, “It was an honor working to secure this funding for Malden Mills. This is a company that has combined the skill of its talented workers, including many Granite Staters, and cutting edge technology to ensure and improve the well-being of the members of our military. Malden Mills not only crafts the fabrics that keep these brave men and women dry and warm, but they are developing advanced textile systems that would help monitor the condition of these soldiers in the field. Without federal funding, this fascinating and potentially life-saving research would come to a halt.”
