Seamless Knitting for Military Protective Clothing

The objective of this efforts is to introduce new, improved knit technology to provide more comfortable knitwear for the Sailor by improving fit, increasing air permeability, wicking away moisture, reducing seams and chafing, reducing bulk, and providing the potential for increased protection (Flame Resistant (FR) and No Melt/No Drip) while reducing waste and saving time and money for the Government. Building on the success in Phase I, in which a seamless knit Navy knitwear garment demonstrating superior performance to a cut and sewn version of the same garment, was prototyped, Propel will design and produce four new prototypes with enhanced performance including body mapping and gender specific fit. Prototypes will be laboratory tested and produced in sufficient quantities for a 3 to 6 month operational environment field test. The data from the field test will be analyzed and recommendations made to the Navy for transition and adoption of seamless knitting beyond Phase II. The data will be supported by manufacturing feasibility assessments that will determine the US industrial base for seamless knitting and analyze the cost and benefits of adoption of seamless knitting for military and commercial use.