Just-in-Time and Continuous Physical Protection for Military Personnel in a Chemical or Biological Environment

Abstract

This paper presents a capability development framework to define the operational requirements for CB protective clothing. The ultimate goal is to make CB physical protection as transparent as possible to the wearer. Protection is currently provided gradually through MOPP levels (Mission Oriented Protective Posture). Threat/Hazard assessments, actual CB attacks/incidents and location of troops in the battle space dictate the adoption of each level. The intent is to provide Just-In-Time (JIT) protection so as not to create negative effects on the wearer and the fighting force. Synchronized JIT can work if timely and accurate information is available. The donning time of the Individual Protective Equipment (JPE) components also has to be considered, particularly when within range of conventional and asymmetric delivery means. For example, during the Iraq war some of the coalition forces warfighters adopted MOPP 1 (Clothing) for 21 consecutive days. Essentially, their clothing component of IPE became their daily wear uniform. The operational context defines the need for continuous wear of the CB protective clothing, and therefore, the concept of continuous and JIT physical protection.