Innovative Layering System for Nordic Combat Uniform Contract
We are happy and proud of being part of the team that has been awarded the NCU contract.
The Nordic defence co-operation (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway) awarded the Nordic Combat Uniform System (NCU) multi-year framework agreement with a total value of 425 MEUR to the contractor Oskar Pedersen with the partnership core group of GORE-TEX Professional (Gore), Costas Siamidis SA (Siamidis) and Layers AS (project management).
The Nordic nations requires a modern, functional, and flexible combat uniform system to meet their military requirements in demanding Nordic climatic conditions. The system also includes configurations for jungle and desert conditions typical for international operations.
The Combat Uniform layering system consists of the following GORE-TEX Professional Products:
- The standard battle dress uniform will consist of PYRAD® by GORE-TEX LABS product technology – for comfort, durability, colour fastness and FR protection.
- The thermal suits will have the WINDSTOPPER® by GORE-TEX LABS product technology in the outer material, for windproofness, comfort and durability.
- The rain suit will have the GORE-TEX product technology and everything that that stands for, including durable waterproofness, windproofness and breathability.
Durable NCU layering system
To this end, Siamidis together with technology partner Gore made a garment layering system, based on GORE-TEX Professional fabrics technologies. In order to make sure that all NCU requirements were met, most of the Gore lab capabilities including durability and wet labs, rain tower, environmental and comfort chamber were utilized during the tender process to verify the performance and fitness-for-use of the complete uniform system, including the undergarment system provided by Aclima AS and Woolpower AB.
“We are happy and proud of being part of the team that has been awarded the NCU contract. We have successfully worked in a close partnership with Siamidis to develop the outer garments of the system. The whole project has been a fantastic journey and learning process for all of us. The user requirements of the NCU system have clearly been to protect the soldiers and at the same time focus on their performance”, states Åke Sahlgaard, Key Account Manager, Gore.
Michalis Siamidis, CEO, Siamidis SA, says: “We are proud and honored for the NCU award decision. The project is a great case of how our team and Gore cooperated closely to develop a high-performing system that is fit-for-use in various scenarios and climate zones. Our focus has always been on innovation, sustainability, durable protection, and comfort. The system has undergone extended laboratory and troop-trial testing. We feel high responsibility and excitement to start working for this contract”
Carl Henrik Myhre, Project manager at Layers AS says: “This project allowed us to really take a close and deep look into how and what technologies work together in various operations and scenarios. We could completely focus with the soldiers’ best interests in mind while designing this system.”
OEKO-TEX and solar energy
One important aspect within the NCU tender process was the focus on sustainability. Both, Siamidis SA and GORE-TEX Professional have put emphasis on durable product performance and at the same time a lower environmental impact. The final garments are certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. And, as manufacturer, Siamidis has an “electrical consumption accounting” programme in place through which the energy needed to produce the NCU layers is compared with the energy produced by the company-owned solar energy installations (which produces more than 3.000.000 kWh per year).
“As a result of the sustainability measures, we are proud to say that the production of the PYRAD® by GORE-TEX Labs, WINDSTOPPER® by GORE-TEX Labs, and GORE-TEX® Products layers of the system does not have negative CO2 footprint due to energy use”, says Michalis Siamidis. “In addition, the NCU system will be made from a value chain that is highly focused on quality, ethics, and environmental protection.”
“The ‘Nordic Combat Uniform System’ (NCU) project is a key highlight for Gore, and we are delighted to be part of the winning group. Through the various operational scenario requests and we were able to demonstrate our technical GORE-TEX products capabilities of protection and comfort together with the excellent manufacturing capabilities of our partner Siamidis. We are extremely pleased to be a partner of Oskar Pedersen in the NCU project”, says Åke Sahlgaard
About Gore
W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments — from outer space to the world’s highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With more than 12,000 Associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $4.5 billion. gore.com