BAE Systems make e-textile connected clothing for military
October 06, 2016 - United Kingdom
BAE Systems, developing products for defence and aerospace, security and support services, has developed a new piece of revolutionary wearable technology named Broadsword Spine that can turn clothing into networked technology, as an alternative to the heavy portable data and power supplies currently carried by military and emergency service personnel.
The company has agreed to an exclusive new partnership with world-leading e-textiles developer, Intelligent Textiles Limited (ITL), to deliver the ground-breaking wearable product in high volumes at low cost.
Broadsword Spine is an e-textile based layer that, when added to a user’s clothing, creates an invisible electronic network and power supply, by using conductive fabrics instead of wires and cables. With the innovative network, users can plug vital electronic devices straight into their vest, jacket, or belt and have them instantly hooked into power and data via USB — all delivering an estimated 40 per cent weight saving per user versus alternative solutions.
Working together, BAE Systems and ITL will be ready to deliver these lightweight devices to personnel including the armed forces, fire, and rescue services, as well as law enforcement, all of whom rely on carrying electronic equipment and having a durable power supply for long periods of use.
Broadsword Spine is also designed to be robust enough to operate in the harshest environments, including being resistant to water, fire, humidity, and shock, and can be easily recharged in the field via in-vehicle charging points or through simple battery replacements.
Paul Burke, director of defence information and technology at BAE Systems Military Air and Information said, “Broadsword Spine will deliver a lightweight, cable free, and better alternative to existing systems. It is the first product of our partnership with ITL and uses its revolutionary e-textile allowing power and data to move through fabric. It will be more flexible, robust, and lighter than the heavy, unwieldy harnesses that are currently used. Broadsword Spine offers an open architecture, meaning it could be used to power communications used by anyone from a soldier on the battlefield to a first responder called to an emergency.” (GK)
The company has agreed to an exclusive new partnership with world-leading e-textiles developer, Intelligent Textiles Limited (ITL), to deliver the ground-breaking wearable product in high volumes at low cost.
Broadsword Spine is an e-textile based layer that, when added to a user’s clothing, creates an invisible electronic network and power supply, by using conductive fabrics instead of wires and cables. With the innovative network, users can plug vital electronic devices straight into their vest, jacket, or belt and have them instantly hooked into power and data via USB — all delivering an estimated 40 per cent weight saving per user versus alternative solutions.
Working together, BAE Systems and ITL will be ready to deliver these lightweight devices to personnel including the armed forces, fire, and rescue services, as well as law enforcement, all of whom rely on carrying electronic equipment and having a durable power supply for long periods of use.
Broadsword Spine is also designed to be robust enough to operate in the harshest environments, including being resistant to water, fire, humidity, and shock, and can be easily recharged in the field via in-vehicle charging points or through simple battery replacements.
Paul Burke, director of defence information and technology at BAE Systems Military Air and Information said, “Broadsword Spine will deliver a lightweight, cable free, and better alternative to existing systems. It is the first product of our partnership with ITL and uses its revolutionary e-textile allowing power and data to move through fabric. It will be more flexible, robust, and lighter than the heavy, unwieldy harnesses that are currently used. Broadsword Spine offers an open architecture, meaning it could be used to power communications used by anyone from a soldier on the battlefield to a first responder called to an emergency.” (GK)