The U.S. Army could be the next entity to dive into the cannabis space, though it may not be exactly what you’d think. Specifically, the Army is honing in on one idea to enhance their operations, specifically around its ability to conceal snipers from enemies using hemp fiber.
While U.S. Army soldiers are not allowed to consume hemp-derived CBD, Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment inquired about jute or hemp fiber for use with sniper uniforms through a request for information released last week.
According to the notice, the effort is part of a Fiscal Year 2022 effort to support the Operational Clothing and Individual for the Improved Ghillie System (IGS), specifically looking at a yarn, twine or thread used to break up the snipers outline made of jute, hemp or a similar, natural fiber.
The notice continues, “The IGS is a new and improved Sniper concealment system developed to meet the concealment needs of the Sniper community. The IGS shall have amendable camouflage materials (e.g. jute, hemp, or similar natural fiber) that can be used to change the appearance of the sniper. The IGS Jute, Hemp, or other natural fiber will help conceal the Sniper and Scout during missions allowing them to remain undetected within close proximity of the enemy forces.”
Specifically, the request notes that the material cannot present a health hazard to the soldier and must show “compatibility with prolonged, direct skin contact.”
The request notes a number of targeted requirements for the IGS materials:
The yarn/twine cannot have finishes that would prevent modification using “standard materials” in the Army supply system and non-standard materials, like dyes and paints, not typically found in the Army supply system. It notes that jute yarn must be spun in the U.S., though it can be made from imported jute fiber, while hemp yarn may be imported as yarn. In addition to the condition around prolonged, direct skin contact, the material must also not add a significant amount of weight to sniper uniforms.
Hemp was legalized under federal law with the 2018 Farm Bill. The bill defines hemp to include any cannabis plant, or any derivative, that contains no more than 0.3% percent THC on a dry-weight basis. It notably authorized the production of hemp, which has a number of industrial applications including clothing, body care, health foods, biofuels, construction materials and plastic composites, aside from its ability to create CBD.
A 2021 Sensi Seeds report calls hemp “the world’s most sustainable raw material,” citing that the material has been used for thousands of years for products like rope and clothing, only just recently seeing a resurgence with the recent legalization bill. While the report cites hemp as a potential raw material to use in car construction, making cars lighter and safer, it notes that the “possibilities of hemp are endless.”
“Hemp is the most sustainable raw material in the world,” says Mark Reinders, CEO of HempFlax, in the report. “You don’t need pesticides for its cultivation because it grows faster than weeds. Yield per hectare is also amazing. From each hectare of hemp, we harvest 2000 kg of fibre, compared to about 400 kg of cotton.”
Recently, a newly developed alternative to steel rebar, made from hemp, was introduced as a low-cost, non-corroding material that would help cut carbon emissions. The material is made of intertwined, natural hemp fiber encased in thermoplastic, resulting in a strong, highly durable and corrosion-resistant reinforcement for cement-based construction projects.
We’re entering a new age of innovation for hemp-based materials, especially in conjunction with ever-increasing and important conversations surrounding sustainability and waste management. While the Army is just one of the recent entities looking into the potential benefits of the re-legalization of the material, we will surely, collectively, continue witnessing just how modern technological innovations can fully take advantage.
