Study of the Capability of the United States Textile and Apparel Industries to Support National Defense. Volume 1

摘要

The objective of this project is to determine the national defense requirements for textiles and clothing and the impact these requirements will have on the United States industrial capabilities in a peacetime or wartime environment. A further objective is to define the role Natick R/D Center should take to meet research and development requirements of the military services which are not expected to be met by the United States textile/apparel industry. Volume 1 of the report indicates that, in general, sufficient capability exists in both the textile and apparel industries to meet the mobilization requirements of the three unclassified scenarios in the report. However, several weaknesses were identified that could become critical, especially under full mobilization conditions. These weaknesses are: Sole source proprietary fibers; Very heavy duck fabrics used in tents, tarpaulins and vehicle upholstery; Foreign sole source chemicals related to fire, water, weather, and mildew resistance (FWWMR); infrared reflectance (IR); and colorfastness; Foreign source sewing needles. Volume 2, Appendix, provides documentation information.