NBC protection of the future soldier : report on a pilot study on the factors governing the development of future personal protection systems against nuclear, biological and chemical agents

This report describes a pilot study with the aim to define the conditions that will governing the NBC protective equipment for the future soldier. Different components and parameters that influence personal protection are analyzed. The present threat picture, a changing defense force with new missions together with a need for higher protection levels with a lower physiological burden, will affect the design of future protective equipment. At the same time the NBC protection has to be an integrated part of the whole protective system. Suggested work 2004-2007: -- Continuous survey of the market to follow technical developments. -- Participation in international collaborations to share/exchange knowledge and to spread risks: - CBplus - trilateral cooperation CA/NL/S to develop a prototype suit in 2008. - Novel Materials and Concepts for Low Burden NBC Protective Clothing Systems, a CEPA (Common European Priority Areas) project. - Moisture Vapour Permeable Membranes for NBC Defense Applications, with the UK. -- Develop methods for a detailed and relevant characterization of protective materials under different conditions. Use the methods to build a database comprising present materials. -- Theoretically evaluate the consequences of performing military type activities with different NBC protective equipment in different climatic zones.