Curious what's changed?
You didn't say since when you've been following this particular saga so here's a rough potted history going back to 2013.
In 2013, AJX commenced work with Duro Textiles to develop a halogen-free FR treatment for the nylon/cotton blend (NyCo) fabric of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) uniforms. It announced that it had achieved this by the end of 2013.
In 2014, the USMC decided it wanted a faster-drying, alternative tropical combat uniform with FR. Subsequently, AJX submitted a sample.
In late 2015, it was announced that the US Dept. of Defence (DoD) would fund the final stage of the development of AJX FR-treated NyCo, leading to field trials in US Army uniforms.
In mid-2016, Duro Textiles closed down and AJX reported that DoD had now shifted the goalposts to wanting a lighter-weight and more breathable base military uniform fabric to which FR could be applied.
In September 2016, AJX announced that it was working together with a new major fabric supplier of NyCo to the US Army and Marines to satisfy the new DoD requirements. By November, AJX had supplied the USMC with FR-treated NyCo samples along with independent test data.
Through 2017 and 2018, AJX was challenged in trying to meet FR performance requirements with the new lighter-weight fabric due to heat flux through the fabric. But by late 2018, it was announced that all specifications had finally been met and that the Pyroman test had been passed.
In November 2017, the USMC issued a new solicitation request for development of a low-cost and durable FR that could preferably be applied at finished uniform level.
From 2018 to 2020, AJX worked on a solution with Pine Belt, which spray-treats finished US military uniforms with insect repellent. In April 2021, AJX announced that despite further improving wash durability and yarn infusion, there were still unresolved issues making the FR treatment compatible with the Pine Belt manufacturing process.
In January 2021, the USMC issued a new request, seeking a low cost, FR treated NyCo uniform that also incorporates Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) mitigation properties. In recent times a US joint forces initiative had announced that it had successfully developed a SWIR mitigation solution for military uniforms.
In July 2021, AJX announced that it has conducted a successful production-scale run of its FR for NyCo via a rolled goods application, achieving improved wash durability and FR performance. The AJX Innovation Manager stated that the pathway to a commercial solution was now clear. It was said that work would continue in Q1 FY2022 for optimal design and wearability after which production-scale goods would be provided to the military for testing and evaluation.
2022 – Will AJX finally be set free from the hamster wheel? Will DoD now decide that all finished uniforms be treated with COVID repellent? Breathable and low cost, of course. Or will the Army or USMC perhaps pivot to a new, more LGBTIQA+ accommodating uniform? Washable to 150 cycles and with FR, of course.
What's another year to find out?!
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