CWU-77/P COVERALL PROTECTIVE CAPABILITIES

File: aaatf_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 2
SUBJECT:  CWU-77/P COVERALL PROTECTIVE CAPABILITIES

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HUMAN SYSTEMS DIVISION (AFSC)
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO 45433-6503

REPLY TO
ATTN OF:  TAG						01 FEB 1991

SUBJECT:  CWU-77/P COVERALL PROTECTIVE CAPABILITIES

TO:  USCENTAF REAR/BS-DOS

1.  THE CWU-77/P COVERALL IS INTENDED TO BE AN INTERIM SOLUTION FOR
GROUNDCREW USE DURING OPERATION DESERT STORM AND IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO
REDUCE THERMAL LOAD WHILE STILL AFFORDING ADEQUATE CW PROTECTION.  THE
CWU-77/P IS A 20% PBI - 80% NOMEX FABRIC WITH LAMINATED CARBON SPHERES
SIMILAR TO THE CWU-66/P AIRCREW COVERALL.  HOWEVER,  THE FABRIC WEAVE OF THE
CWU-77/P IS 10% MORE DENSE WITH A WATER REPELLENT COATING ADDED TO INCREASE
LIQUID PROTECTION.  THIS IS THE SAME COATING THAT IS CURRENTLY USED ON THE
GROUNDCREW  ENSEMBLE (GCE) TO INCREASE LIQUID PROTECTION.

2.  WITH THE ABOVE IN MIND, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN
RESPONSE TO YOUR INQUIRY ON THE CWU-77/P COVERALL.

	A.  VAPOR PROTECTION:  LABORATORY TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE CWU-66/P
AND CWU-77/P FABRIC HAS THE CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE 24 HOURS PROTECTION FOR
ALL VAPOR CHALLENGES UP TO 10 LAUNDERINGS.

	B.  LIQUID PROTECTION:
		(1)  THE CWU-66/P FABRIC WAS TREATED AGAINST A LIQUID-VAPOR CHALLENGE
OF NEAT HD.  NEITHER LIQUID OR VAPOR PENETRATION OCCURRED DURING THE 6 HOUR
TEST.  WHEN TESTED AGAINST THICKENED HD (APPLIED VIA A DROP TOWER WHERE THE
DROPLET STRIKES THE FABRIC AT TERMINAL VELOCITY AND THEN IS PRESSED INTO THE
FABRIC, LIQUID PENETRATION OCCURRED AFTER 2 HOURS.  THERE WAS NO VAPOR
PENETRATION PRIOR TO THIS LIQUID PENETRATION.
		(2)  WE HAVE INITIATED LIQUID PROTECTION TESTING ON THE CWU-77/P
FABRIC, BOTH NEW AND LAUNDERED.  THESE TESTS SHOULD SHOW A SUBSTANTIAL 
IMPROVEMENT IN LIQUID PROTECTION DUE TO THE TIGHTER WEAVING AND WATER
REPELLENT COATING VERSUS THE CWU-66/P.  FINAL RESULTS OF THIS TESTING SHOULD
BECOME AVAILABLE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

	C.  DECON PROCEDURES:

		(1)  DECON PROCEDURES FOR THE CWU-77/P SHOULD BE THE SAME AS FOR THE
CURRENT GCE (BDO).  IF CONTAMINATED WITH VAPOR, AERATE  TO ALLOW FOR
OFF-GASSING.  IF CONTAMINATED WITH LIQUID, DISPOSE OF THE COVERALL.  (NOTE:
LAUNDERING IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A DECON PROCEDURE.)

	D.  DONNING/DOFFING PROCEDURES:

		(1)  SUGGEST YOU WORK WITH USAFTAWC.  OUR SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE
DETERMINING IF LIQUID OR VAPOR  CONTAMINATION HAS OCCURRED.  IF CONTAMINATED
WITH LIQUID, THE COVERALL COULD BE CUT TO REMOVE IT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL.  IF