British army to get new combat uniform

London's Royal College of Art is helping Britain's Ministry of Defense (MOD) to design a 21st-century combat uniform for the British military.

The future concept uniform went on the show for the first time Thursday at the showpiece Defense and Security Equipment International exhibition in London.

The combat uniform is part of the MOD's plan to give high-quality, cutting-edge equipment to British soldiers.

The kit includes advanced combat clothing, with new materials. /The UK government website Photo

Royal College of Art (RCA) researchers and designers worked on the clothing to ensure prototypes were fitted to the body, easy to run in and comfortable to wear.

Prototypes of the new clothing have already been assessed at the Specialist Weapons School in Warminster to help examine future uniform concepts.

Kit designed so far includes advanced combat clothing, with new materials like four-way stretch "phase-change material" and silent hook-and-loop pockets. The enhanced body armor is stronger, as well as having a new high-tech helmet with state-of-the- art, built-in communication systems.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)