The SSC TTF will provide the center’s researchers with unprecedented capabilities to evaluate the effect of flame and thermal threats against protective clothing and individual equipment. Here, a Soldier wears the Advanced Bomb Suit, which protects Soldiers from fragmentation, blast overpressure, impact, heat, and flame. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of PEO Soldier.)

On March 7, 2008, the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center (SSC), Natick, MA, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Thermal Test Facility (TTF). This facility will provide the center’s researchers with unprecedented capabilities to evaluate the effect of flame and thermal threats against protective clothing and individual equipment. It also will assist in the development of new and improved materials for flame and thermal protection for the individual Soldier.

BG R. Mark Brown, SSC Commanding General (CG) and Program Executive Officer (PEO) Soldier, said the facility was brought about as a byproduct of war. Flame weapons and injuries have been around since ancient times — since Archimedes threw oil fireballs onto Roman ships, through the use of flamethrowers in World War II, then as we moved into the 20th century with the increase of mechanics and fuels. Flame threats have always been an issue. Currently, the need for this type of work continues as insurgents use incendiary improvised explosive devices.

“This new facility will be an important asset for our researchers,” Brown said. “It will allow us to consolidate this work in one location.” Previously, the work was not only done at Natick, but at other facilities throughout the state and country. Brown expressed gratitude for the work done at the center, saying that he was speaking for Soldiers around the world.

Rocco DiRico, Deputy District Director for Rep. Edward Markey (MA), spoke on behalf of the congressman. Markey had supported the plans for the TTF since conception. DiRico said that the SSC is a national asset that is consistently protecting those who serve. “Congressman Markey is honored to represent SSC in Congress,” he said, “as all of you at the center work to protect the American Soldier at home and abroad. Thank you for all your hard work supporting the Soldier.”

The Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for the State of Massachusetts, Daniel O’Connell, also spoke. Cooperation between state and federal government, business, and academia was the main focus of O’Connell’s comments. This type of collaboration leads to good things not only for Soldiers, but also for Massachusetts. “Good things happen when government — all government — business, and academia work together for a common goal,” he said. The SSC has always worked that way, with all organizations contributing. Speaking on behalf of Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, O’Connell said that the state is committed to the “growth and success of the center.” They want to ensure they are helping our Soldiers be the best in the world.

The last speaker before the ribbon-cutting was Dr. Marilyn Freeman, Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) Director. Freeman said that in addition to the Soldiers themselves benefiting, NSRDEC also benefits from having this new facility. “We are giving the scientists and engineers a world-class facility,” she said. As Freeman noted, surviving flame, fire, and heat is not something we think about every day, but it is something our service members have to live with every day. It takes special equipment and innovation to figure out how to protect them. “We can’t keep Soldiers out of harm’s way, but we can help to keep them as safe as possible,” she said.

(Left to right:) Dr. Marilyn Freeman, NSRDEC Director; Daniel O’Connell, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development for the State of Massachusetts; Rocco DiRico, Deputy District Director, Office of Congressman Edward Markey; and BG R. Mark Brown, SSC CG and PEO Soldier; prepare to cut the ribbon during a ceremony for SSC’s TTF on March 7, 2008. (Photo by Sarah Underhill.)

TTF Capabilities
Freeman mentioned some of the facility’s test capabilities, including manikins that travel through heat and flame, flames that will come from underneath items, labs that analyze threats, and laser work. Scientists and engineers can perform state-of-the-art flame work in the TTF and see whether the flame will burn, extinguish itself, or explode. They can also see if a confined item can stand up to heat without catching fire.

Although the military will be the primary users, both first responders and industry are interested in using the facility. After the ribbon-cutting, subject matter experts were on hand to explain the building’s various areas and their capabilities. The facility is anticipated to be fully operational in September 2008 and is the only known facility in the Nation that has the capability to test and evaluate the thermal performance of milligram quantities of materials through full-scale systems such as clothing and tents.

There was a rededication ceremony for the center on April 19, 2008, when the buildings and streets were named after Congressional Medal of Honor recipients who have ties to Massachusetts. The TTF is named after PFC Joseph Ouellette, 9th Infantry Regiment, who entered service in Lowell, MA, and was awarded his medal for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy” during the Korean War.

Article courtesy of the Natick SSC Public Affairs Office.