Soliders in Iraq test air-conditioned vests

American soldiers in Iraq may plead for armor for their Humvees, but when they finally get that plating, they face another problem — albeit, one not nearly as dangerous as riding around in an unarmored vehicle: overheating. According to the US military, once armor is added to the Humvees, the internal temperature can reach 130 degrees, and no, rolling down the windows isn't exactly an option. So, in addition to air conditioning the Humvees, the army is experimenting with another idea: liquid-cooled vests that are powered from the vehicle's air conditioning system. About 500 of the experimental vests are being tested by soldiers in Iraq and Kuwait, and they've proved so popular with troops that soldiers are fighting over who gets to wear them. We hope the army gets more of these out to the troops (along, of course, with the requisite armored Humvees), and that this trickles down to civilian use before next summer.

[Via Slashdot]

[Zed @ Dec 21st 2005 3:43PM]

wowowowow

[Ryan Wagner @ Dec 21st 2005 3:47PM]

Wow, what a wonderful invention. I guess you never really stop to think about people dying from heat, because that isn't how you think of people dying in war. Well, I hope this can save some of the many lives out there that are fighting to protect us!

----------

-Ryan

http://blog.cyberwags.com

[nick @ Dec 21st 2005 3:50PM]

don't we already have this?



heated/cooled seats!

[Nik @ Dec 21st 2005 3:52PM]

Hmmwv's (highly mobile multi wheeled vehicles), also known as humvees, usually have soft plastic windows, that spent most of their time rolled down, the armox shielding on the door replaces the doors with windows, so they dont even have windows. When riding in a hmwwv, your shoulder and head is exposed. But, wearing a vest in 130 degree weather is very trying, well, it just plain sucks. These would have been nice to have had when i was in iraq.

[bpc @ Dec 21st 2005 4:00PM]

Army pilots have had these in newer aircraft for a couple years. They're comfy.

[apeguero @ Dec 21st 2005 4:37PM]

I always thought the company that does the Camelback Water Hydration system should develop an addon part that would go on a soldiers back form the top of the Camelback up to the neck. The soldier would fill this bladder with ice before he heads out on his mission.



I like this idea as well as the quick disconnect which comes in handy when one encounters a hasty situation or direct/inderict fire and has to vacate the vehicle? Just a thought. I can at least agree with what Nik said above that wearing a plain vest, period, increases the temperature even more. So, since one has to wear a Vest, might as well make it comfortable, even if it's just in the vehicle. I mean, you are adding another layer of clothing so I guess troops can then take the time to remove the extra layer once they get out of the vehicle and go on their patrols. Wait a minute????



Does one wear this vest all day in and out of the vehicle? Or does one have to don this extra layer only while in the vehicle?



If it works then I hope it doesn't cost an arm and a leg so soldiers can actually get this device pronto.

[Andrew @ Dec 21st 2005 4:50PM]

Sounds like a brilliant idea. I just wonder if it will hinder the soldiers movement, if they have to react quickly to a rapidly changing environment. I guess heat exhausting also hinders movement, though.

[okiebezer @ Dec 21st 2005 5:39PM]

I remember a civilian worker at Tinker AFB bringing me plans for a similar vest (even had a prototype) during Gulf War I. Couldn't get it through the red tape in time to be used then. Looks much more refined than that system. Maybe they spent the last 14 years perfecting it so they could have in time for this engagement... makes you wonder, huh?

[inner_creature @ Dec 21st 2005 5:42PM]

There's nothing new in this idea:

Most Western MBTs (thats Main Battle Tanks) are equipped with HVAC suit plugs, so even the commander sitting in an open hatch is comfortable enough...

You can buy a Honda Gullwing with matching biking gear, then plug it into the HVAC (of just the HV, if you're cheap) outlet on the bike..

Falling off the bike/jumping out of a tank? No problem, the connector breaks loose with just a moderate tug on the hose...



However what matters here is the implementation - these vests are thin and light enough to be worn UNDER the uniform/bulletproof gear...

[Will @ Dec 21st 2005 6:20PM]

Very cool. I dont think there is a real need for it in civilian uses. We have properly insulated vehicles that doesn't cause too much problems with heat.

[mike @ Dec 21st 2005 6:39PM]

occupying soldiers should get their heads air-conditioned via an IED

[Jerkylicker @ Dec 21st 2005 7:07PM]

When I was an M1A1 crewmember back in the early 90's, we had something similiar. It was basically a vest full of perforated plastic tubing that plugged into the tank's NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) filtration system. Fairly bulky, but you get nice, cool air blown over your torso. AFAIK they are still in use. Good to see the guys in humvees getting some cooling as well.

[TVGenius @ Dec 21st 2005 7:44PM]

"Very cool. I dont think there is a real need for it in civilian uses. We have properly insulated vehicles that doesn't cause too much problems with heat."



Yeah, but try working in construction or other outdoor jobs in SW Arizona where it gets up to 120� in the summer, and tell me there's no need for it.

[Craig Shergold @ Dec 21st 2005 7:50PM]

That Japanese Anime stuff is soooo lame.

[hdoc @ Dec 21st 2005 8:23PM]

I'm just happy that US soldiers can murder in comfortable temperatures. I hope someone can start giving the rapists and serial killers out there free insoles.

[p0l0 @ Dec 21st 2005 8:45PM]

Thats a great idea, if they could run it with a hose through out like the cooling systems for computers, and the guy above my post needs to calm down SUPPORT THE TROOPS.

[Illuminated One @ Dec 21st 2005 9:16PM]

1. Cool invention, but just another company that made this to profit from the war. This post doesn't mention how much the unit costs the military, which is basically how much it's going to cost Taxpayers.



2. To say you Support the Troops means nothing. Troops are soldiers; Soldiers fight in wars, so to say you Support the Troops is saying you Support Wars. And which Troops do you support. Do you support American Troops or Iraqi Troops? They are both Troops, or do you support the side that is right? Well, invading a country based off falsly produced intelligence and then killing tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi's doesn't make you "right", so you by logic be supporting the Iraqi Troops. Idiot.

[tacotaco @ Dec 21st 2005 9:26PM]

It's good to know they have these for the soliders, but when will the soldiers get them? I think they could use them more- no disrespect meant to the soliders.

[john @ Dec 21st 2005 10:09PM]

Hi. About the whole "support the troops" thing. America did make a mistake in the nuclear weapons part of it, but think of how many lives were saved by getting saddam out of there. And hopefully, I repeat, hopefully, eventually they will get everything set up right.

Also, supporting troops is different from supporting war. When you say "Support our Troops" you are supporting the troops who are fighting in the war, and to make things better!



But, back to the invention, Cool idea! literally! hopefully they are not too expensive and we can get them there quickly!

[Against War @ Dec 21st 2005 10:15PM]

how about if the American soldiers just leave? That's a better solution.

[Jason @ Dec 21st 2005 10:15PM]

To the numb-skulls posting #10, #14 and #16. It's called enGADGET, not enTERTAIN_US_WITH_YOUR_MOONBAT_POLITICAL_RANTINGS. Are there really not enough other sites out there for you to spew your politics into that you need to rant here? "It's a clever vest, nice gadget. Cool, when can I buy one." See, that's how you post on a GADGET blog. --Jason

[Against War @ Dec 21st 2005 10:24PM]

how about if the American soldiers just leave? That's a better solution.

[apeguero @ Dec 21st 2005 11:25PM]

It's so fuc*!ng sorry that people can't visit a simple website that isn't remotely related to politics and get ultra-left wing or dumb-ass right wing idiots to bring their crap into it. I'd say leave your politically charged comments outside and frickin' chill and enjoy the technology people. You should take you political comments to other sites or stay the FU*K out. I'm a troop. I don't care if your politically correct ass doesn't support me. All I care is that I can go to a cool website and enjoy tech news and exchange nice tech chats in it. In the end you supporting me for being a "troop" doesn't make a bit of difference. In the end, all I care about is that my fellow "troops" on the line will keep their barrel pointing down range and watch out for my back while I watch out for theirs; as well as getting the support from my family and loved ones while I'm out taking rounds for a war that I didn't start nor could end (even if I wanted to). While I'm still serving (and as some movie once said) "my soul may belong to God, but my ass belongs to the Army (Corps on orginal line). In other words, these so-called Troops you talk about (American Troops) need the support from their loved ones and friends and not from some two-bit, no good, commie that can't figure out that when people say "Support the Troops" they're actually referring to Troops of the US Military and not their adversaries you dumb-fuck (#16)! Unless you're an Al-Qaeida or Hammas or whatever, that's fighting against the US that is. In that case, go fu*k yourself anyways!



Merry Christmas!

[js @ Dec 21st 2005 11:54PM]

This wouldn't be a problem if the US left Iraq!!!

[TaxPayer @ Dec 22nd 2005 12:58AM]

As #19 says, why not just leave? Much cheaper option in dollars and lives, both Iraqi and otherwise. And wonder why all the right-wing nuts are getting hot under the collar over here.

Remember all the Cheney crowd is getting rich, with everyone else contributing. So Eisenhower was right after all about the Military-Industrial Complex...

[mike @ Dec 22nd 2005 1:14AM]

It's a clever vest, nice gadget. Cool, when can I buy one?



I'm sure I'll have to wait for the defense contracts to be filled first.



It's a good thing the Senate approved a bill cutting $40 billion from health, education and labour programs while approving a bill allocating a further $50 billion on military spending for Iraq.



These air-conditioned vests will get to the soldiers lickity-split and defense contractors will get a little bit richer from funds misappropriated from tax-payers.



This may be a gadget blog, but the gadgets discussed within sometimes have ethical and moral implications which are inextricably linked to their purpose and existence.

[Jason @ Dec 22nd 2005 2:11AM]

Mike (#22) must be a hit with the ladies . . .



"Yes, I realize we're on a date at a nice restaurant and that you'd been enjoying that delicious breast of duck. But [your entree selection] HAS ETHICAL AND MORAL IMPLICATIONS WHICH ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO ITS PURPOSE AND EXISTENCE. I think this previously romantic evening is as good a place as any to blather on about my self-important views of the world because I have absolutely no sense of decorum or self-control."



Go get 'em Mike, 'cause seriously people haven't yet formed their own opinions and the Engadget comments forums are exactly the place you're going to turn the tide of debate in this country!!

[Dispraiser @ Dec 22nd 2005 2:23AM]

23 kicks so much ass.



I'm all for keeping politics out of this. I don't thin kanyone realize how many people decided whether or not they supported the war based soley on whether they voted for Bush or did not. Damned partisan politics.



The vests are cool... If I was in Iraq, though, I'd want armor first, though.

[Corey Butler @ Dec 22nd 2005 12:34PM]

Back in the day we did not have to plug our AC vests into the humvee! This is a crap invention for a crap generation.

[Garry @ Dec 22nd 2005 12:52PM]

Cool..

A little typo on the headline there.. Soldier! =)

[mike @ Dec 22nd 2005 1:10PM]

#24



I can be morally opposed to unprovoked wars and still enjoy a good meal.



but you are right; I wouldnt go all political on a date and I shouldnt on a gadget blog



but seriously, why do you care? or are you trying to impress all the ladies that frequent engadget?

[Keith @ Dec 22nd 2005 7:17PM]

i remember thinking about cooling vests a couple years back. I'm not saying i thought about it first, I bet just about every soldier would've dreamnt about it when they landed in Iraq. It's cool that somebody took the first step to making this really happen.



really cool idea!!! (funny way of spelling soliders on the heading)

[CJ @ Dec 23rd 2005 4:18PM]

I wish I had something like this to wear during the original invasion of Iraq... drinking gallons of water to continue moving thru that wasteland with 100+ degree weather in full body armor was retarded... we had more guys go down cause of the heat then bullets.