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Cutting-edge CWPCs
Canadian Army kit evolves with operational environment

The temperate woodland version of the new coverall is worn under the fragmentation vest or tactical vest and elbow pads.
The temperate woodland version of the new coverall is worn under the fragmentation vest or tactical vest and elbow pads.
Photos by DPD Horizon 1 CW Protective Garment Project

CANADIAN soldiers will be provided with state-of-the-art chemical warfare protective coveralls from 2005.

Canadian Minister of Industry David Emerson, on behalf of the Minister of National Defence Bill Graham, announced a $24-million contract with Pacific Safety Products Inc, British Columbia for the provision of about 50,000 Horizon 1 Chemical Warfare (CW) protective coveralls.

“Pacific Safety Products is an example of the diverse, cutting-edge expertise present in British Columbia and across Western Canada,” Mr Emerson said.

“This contract will not only provide valuable protection for our military, but will serve to further develop the international reputation of innovation in British Columbia.

The Horizon 1 CW protective coverall is a dual-layered garment designed to provide toxicological agent protection.

A liquid-agent repellent outer layer, combined with a vapour-protective inner barrier layer that is thinner and more flexible than material previously available, permits the design of a closer fitting coverall with reduced bulk and improved wearability.

Mr Emerson said the chemical warfare protective coverall demonstrated the firm commitment of the Canadian Government to protect Canadian forces against chemical warfare.

He said the contract represented a significant investment for Canadian industry, and would provide significant regional economic benefits for Canadians.

Chief of the Defence Staff Gen Ray Henault said that, as the face of the battlefield continued to change, the Canadian Forces would be committed to ensuring personnel were adequately and effectively equipped.

“The Horizon 1 CW coverall will provide increased protection, greater comfort and less heat burden than its predecessor,” he said.

The coverall will be produced in both the temperate woodland and arid region versions of Canadian camouflage pattern.
Pacific Safety Products will begin delivering the first Horizon 1 CW Protective Coveralls early in 2005, with final delivery expected in 2007.

A need for a redesign of coveralls was identified during Canadian operations in the 1991 Gulf war.

Northern European-style coveralls were not appropriate for desert conditions.

– CNDF Press service

Canada’s coveralls
Canada’s coveralls.

Canada’s coveralls

ALTHOUGH not a true “lightweight” garment, the use of the new materials permitted innovations, which resulted in a lowering of the heat burden on the wearer.

  • The lighter and suppler material reduced the overall weight, and protection was improved because the tighter fit reduced the billowing effect.
  • The hot weather troop trials determined that wearing the protective garment over underwear or next to the skin further reduced the heat burden in hot weather. Special attention was paid to making the inner lining comfortable while preventing the leaching of carbon onto the skin.
  • The tighter fit makes it easier to don the fragmentation vest and the tactical vest (which replaces “web gear”) over the protective garment, and cold weather outerwear can also be easily worn.
  • The outer shell material of the Horizon 1 suits will be identical to that used in the Canadian Army’s combat clothing, and will be produced in both versions of the Candian camouflage pattern.
  • Newly positioned pockets and patches providing better adhesion for three-way detector paper are other improvements, which fell out of the hot weather user trials.
 

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