Smarter fabric for soldier uniforms

UK soldiers could soon be wearing uniforms with e-textiles woven into them, according to Surrey-based firm Intelligent Textiles. The company recently showcased a lightweight uniform with conductive fibres woven into it so that multiple devices can be charged from one battery pack, without the need for many individual wires and cables. And due to the design, if a connection is cut it can be re-routed through the remaining fabric.

Intelligent Textiles is part of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and is now working with BAE systems to integrate other equipment into uniforms. The current iteration will be undergoing field trials in May and could see limited use later this year, although more widespread use is not expected until 2014 or 2015.