Cold Water Uniform with Active Venting (CWU-Vent)

Navy and Marine Corps aircrew are required wear an anti-exposure coverall when flying over water temperatures of 60 °F (15.6 °C) or lower and the outside air temperature is 32 °F (0 °C) or below. Temperatures in the cockpit and aircraft at takeoff and during flight can be much higher as the aircraft departs from a warm environment and operates over cold water, which can lead to overheating and sweating, and which is distracting and can lead to dehydration, fatigue and impaired cognitive function.  Current Navy constant wear exposure suits, the CWU-86/P for men and CWU-87/P for women, are required to be worn by aircrew in rotary-wing, tiltrotor, and ejection seat aircraft when operating in these environmental conditions. The CWU-86/P and CWU-87/P are dry suits and designed to prevent water intrusion into the suit, keeping the layers underneath dry in order to provide the insulation required for survival. The increasingly common practice of mid-air refueling extends the duration of wear time in flight and extends the potential in water exposure due to a longer time before rescue.  This compounds the thermal management capabilities of the existing suit and requires the development of a novel solution.  The existing CWU-87/P & CWU-86/P suits include the use of moisture wicking undergarments and  Moisture Vapor Permeable (MVP) materials to aid with moisture control and thermal management.  However, the MVP materials can't support the moisture and thermal demand rates necessary for thermal control.  The suit wall is also in direct contact with the undergarments, especially when under external safety and flight equipment, which limits internal airflow and the transmission of moisture vapor through the membrane.  Having the suit wall in contact with the form fitting undergarments (the body) also provides a conductive path for thermal energy release when in cold water, which limits safe time in the water.  Moonprint will develop a next-generation anti-exposure coverall (CWU-Vent) with integrated passive and on-demand technologies for moisture and thermal management to meet the new objective goals and still maintain crew safety.  The suit will include MVP materials, a liner that supports airflow inside the suit, and air exchange vents that support rapid air exchange while maintaining a sealed barrier for water immersion.  The basic appearance and function of the CWU-VENT will be consistent with that of the CWU-87/P & CWU-86/P.