AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Air Force Uniform Development

Product Development

JAPBI 

29 Nov 2018

Tracy Roan 

Air Force Uniform Office, Chief

937) 255-2382

tracy.roan.1@us.af.mil
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

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Unique Challenges

Berry Amendment

National Defense Authorization

Congressionals 

Urgent Operational Needs
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Unique Challenges

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Fashion Vs. Military Global Sourcing

Seasonal

Fashion Sizing

Color Trend

Domestic Sourcing

Timeless

Functional Sizing

Consistent Shades
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Requirements

AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

User Feedback

Uniform Board

Air Force

Uniform

Office

Joint Capabilities 

Integration & 

Development 

System (JCIDS)

339 Engineering 

Changes A1 (CSAF)

Maternity Top Wool Overcoat Women’s Slacks

Aircrew Performance 

Executive Counsel 

(APEC)
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Initial Research

AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Market Research

Use Survey and Focus Group Feedback as Starting Point on MarketResearch

Sister Services

Check Sister Services 

for Existing Product

Industry Research

Review Products, Look at 

New Technology, Get 

Inspiration on Garment 

Construction, Analyze 

Industry Fits
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Initial Research

AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Alterations Research
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Initial Research

AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Survey and Focus Group Women’s Slacks

Create Survey, Hold Focus Groups, Use Information for Design Development

8.7% Good

34.3% Fair

57.0 % Poor
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Initial Research

AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Survey and Focus Group Men’s Trousers

Create Survey, Hold Focus Groups, Use Information for Design Development

3.20%

Excellent 13.11% Good

49.18% Fair

34.51% Poor
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

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Material Research

1. Requirement

2. Request for Information 

(RFI)

3. Threshold

4. Objectives

6. Selecting Possibilities that 

Meet Needs

5. Industry Submissions

What to Keep in Mind: • Protection

• Flame Resistance

• Durability

• Colorfastness

• Comfort

• Wicking

• Air Permeability

• Hand

• Mature Technology

• Commercial Off theShelf

• NDI
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Material Testing & Evaluation

Characteristics

• Weave

• Weight

• Contents

• Spectral Reflectance

• Breaking Strength

• Elmendorf Tearing

• Piling

• Abrasion Resistance

• Seam Efficiency

• Colorfastness

• Laundering

• Light Exposure

• Perspiration

• Crocking

• Wicking

• Drying Time

• Blocking

• Moisture Vapor 

Transmission Rate

• Air Permeability

• Thermal Shrinkage

• Thermal Protective 

Performance

• Thermal Performance 

Estimated Value

• Char Length

• Melting and Dripping 

Observation

• Electrical Surface Resistivity

• Antimicrobial Properties

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AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

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Prototyping

Legacy 

Slacks

Legacy

Revised

Slacks

Updated 

Slacks

Legacy 

Slacks

Legacy

Revised

Slacks

Updated 

Slacks

Legacy Slacks 

Compared to Updated 

Improvements

Contract with Industry for Following:

• Prototypes requiring special equipment

• Fit test assets

• Wear test assets

• Pattern verification samples
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

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Fit Test

Data

• Condense all participant 

measurements and fit data

• Analyze similar areas of fit issues

• Examine user comments Why

• Evaluate fit of prototype

• Identify areasof 

improvement

• Collect data

• Gather feedback

• Select participants for wear 

test

• Assess visual defects

Recruitment

• Test at multiple bases if possible

• Recruit broad cross section of 

ages/sizes

How

• Use anthropometric measuring

• Record various point of measure

• Record pinched measurements

• Users test mobility of garment

Results

• Changes made based on test 

results

• Produce verification samples 

and collect new data

• Finalize fit with afinal 

prototype
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Wear Test

AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Purpose

• Confirm the design, fit, and function 

based on the fit test

• Confirm the garment will withstandthe 

typical wear an tear of everyday use

• Confirm the Airmen can perform the 

typical work related function 

comfortably

• Confirm if there is no change to the fit

or color fastness from dry cleaning or

home laundering Survey

Wear Test Log InspectionSheet
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

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Wear Test

Tasks

Finalize Patterns 

and PDs

Send Patterns and 

PDs to Manufacturer

Manufacture Wear

Test Assets

Inspect Wear 

Test Assets

Prep 

Assets

Make Sure the 

Garments Measure to 

Spec and Quality 

Made to our Standard

Measure Each 

Participant, Fit in

Best Trouser, Hem 

Trouser, Pass Out 

Wear Log

Distribute

Assets

Conduct and 

Evaluate Wear 

Test

Make All 

Appropriate 

Design and Pattern 

Changes if Needed
AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Purchase Description 

Development

1. PD development starts at

beginning of program

2. If a PD is being updated, 

Tech Writer begins initial

revision to be sure format 

complies with MIL-STD-961

3. After PD format is in 

conformance, Textile

Technologist reviews test 

methods/updates as needed

4. Design Team updates

technical and designinfo

8.Upon approval from CCB, PD 

is included with TechnicalData

Package submitted to 

procurement agency

7. When final, a change listis 

complied and PD is prepared

for Configuration Control 

Board approval

6.Other stakeholders (DLA, 

Sister Services,AAFES,

industry) are then broughtinto 

the review process

5. The Purchase Description is 

reviewed by AF Uniform Office

team to ensure accuracy of

content, grammar, and format

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Transition to Sustainment

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AFLCMC... Providing the Warfighter’sEdge

Air Force Uniform Office

Technical Data 

Plan (TDP)

AF Inventory

Manager 

(Philadelphia)

Logistics A4

Residual 

MitigationPlan 

(RAMP)

Supply Request 

Package (SRP)

AAFES

(9 – 12 months to shelves)

Certified 

Manufacturers

DLA

(12 – 18 months to shelves)

• Demand

• NSNs • Inventory Analysis

• Rollout Plan

• Patterns

• Purchase Description

• Prototype