Photos Show the Strange World of Military Research at Natick Soldier Systems Center, 1970-1990

The Natick Soldier Systems Center (NSSC) which is now Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC), is military research, development, and engineering complex responsible for developing military equipment, food, clothing, shelters, airdrop systems, and Soldier support items.

It was established in 1962 to invent modern combat technologies and techniques for the modern military. This is where the MOLLE, Interceptor body armor, bulletproof clothing, new protection shelters, ever-improving military warrior systems like the Land Warrior and Future Soldier systems, PALS gridding, and MREs were developed.

Here below are some amazing inventions made by NSCC. Shot on large format film, images from the Natick Soldier Systems Center Photographic Collection are as detailed as they are exacting

#1 Head measuring device for helmets, 1973.

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#2 Kevlar body armor sports jacket, 1974.

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#3 Weight spat on combat boot, 1977.

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#4 Aero-mechanical prototype foam generator, 1976.

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#5 18 soldier cold weather supplement.

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#6 Head netting for desert camouflage, 1973.

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#7 ADEL (AMEL), stinger missile jump pack.

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#8 Laser beamed through bottle of dye used for camouflage clothing, 1973.

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#9 Thermal suit, 1992.

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#10 Inflatable arches for temporary shelter, 1979.

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#11 PASGT helmet in combat condition after Grenada, 1983.

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#12 Demo tent, 1985.

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#13 Tropic chambers micro-cooling study, 1985.

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#14 Camouflage snow suits, c. 1981–1984.

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#15 Women’s hat front and side view, 1982.

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#16 Combat boot cut-away, 1974.

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#17 Cooling vest test, 1983.

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#18 Camouflage desert fatigues, 1973.

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#19 Female winter hat, 1980.

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#20 Infra-red camouflage, 1974.

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#21 Eating chamber with test subjects, 1978

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