Case Study:
EXTREME COLD CLIMATE OPERATIONS – REVISION’S SNOWHAWK COLD WEATHER GOGGLE SYSTEM
COLD CLIMATE OPERATIONS
Over the last five years, nearly 3,000 cold weather injuries have been diagnosed for active and reserve U.S. Military personnel. Troops are more often stationed for longer durations, are more widespread across the globe, and are forced to acclimate to regions with pronounced seasonal shifts. Cold weather operations have increased in recent years as well, with more resources and deployments targeting cold climate regions and extreme cold weather preparedness. This year alone, tens-of-thousands of troops from countries as widespread as the U.S., Norway, Poland, New Zealand, Canada, and more, descended on the Arctic to take part in various exercises and trainings, as well as strategic maneuvers in contested territories.
Over the last five years, nearly 3,000 cold weather injuries have been diagnosed for active and reserve U.S. Military personnel. Troops are more often stationed for longer durations, are more widespread across the globe, and are forced to acclimate to regions with pronounced seasonal shifts. Cold weather operations have increased in recent years as well, with more resources and deployments targeting cold climate regions and extreme cold weather preparedness. This year alone, tens-of-thousands of troops from countries as widespread as the U.S., Norway, Poland, New Zealand, Canada, and more, descended on the Arctic to take part in various exercises and trainings, as well as strategic maneuvers in contested territories.
DEFICIENT EXTREME COLD WEATHER GEAR
Predominantly, currently available military goggles are designed for high heat environments and dust mitigation rather than cold weather applications. They’re typically not designed to integrate with balaclavas and leave skin exposed to the elements. And, crucially, venting is not optimized for cold weather, resulting in excessive fogging and condensation, presenting the likelihood of vision disruption and distortion in the midst of active scenarios. Alternative choices—commercial off-the-shelf ski goggles that are not built for military or tactical operations—provide no ballistic protection and are incompatible with helmets and head protection components, forcing wearers to adjust and leading to additional protection gaps.
Predominantly, currently available military goggles are designed for high heat environments and dust mitigation rather than cold weather applications. They’re typically not designed to integrate with balaclavas and leave skin exposed to the elements. And, crucially, venting is not optimized for cold weather, resulting in excessive fogging and condensation, presenting the likelihood of vision disruption and distortion in the midst of active scenarios. Alternative choices—commercial off-the-shelf ski goggles that are not built for military or tactical operations—provide no ballistic protection and are incompatible with helmets and head protection components, forcing wearers to adjust and leading to additional protection gaps.
COLD WEATHER INJURIES
Extreme cold weather exposure can have severe consequences, and these effects take hold rapidly. Apart from operational, physical, and cognitive impairment, the risk of severe injury—chilblain, frostbite, hypothermia—is very high, and can happen quickly, if lacking the proper protection. Eye and head protection that is functional and breathable is a particular need and helps mitigate cold weather injuries. As Revision’s capabilities and product development have evolved, consideration of the dictates of the natural environment has been incorporated throughout the development process, from inception to manufacture.
Extreme cold weather exposure can have severe consequences, and these effects take hold rapidly. Apart from operational, physical, and cognitive impairment, the risk of severe injury—chilblain, frostbite, hypothermia—is very high, and can happen quickly, if lacking the proper protection. Eye and head protection that is functional and breathable is a particular need and helps mitigate cold weather injuries. As Revision’s capabilities and product development have evolved, consideration of the dictates of the natural environment has been incorporated throughout the development process, from inception to manufacture.
REVISION’S RESPONSE—THE SNOWHAWK COLD WEATHER GOGGLE SYSTEM
In this vein, Revision has developed the SnowHawk Cold Weather Goggle System. The SnowHawk Cold Weather Goggle System is the first-ever fully integrated ballistic goggle and balaclava system offering complete face coverage, superior anti-fog performance, and ballistic protection. The system provides exceptional breathability: Mesh over the mouth and nose directs breath away from goggle; built-in top and lateral forced-air vents provide constant airflow; and the dual-pane thermal gasket lens creates an insulated barrier. Revision’s leading OcuMax© Plus coating is applied on the inside of the optical grade polycarbonate lens to prevent fogging, plus, a hard-coat on the outside of the lens resists scratching.
In this vein, Revision has developed the SnowHawk Cold Weather Goggle System. The SnowHawk Cold Weather Goggle System is the first-ever fully integrated ballistic goggle and balaclava system offering complete face coverage, superior anti-fog performance, and ballistic protection. The system provides exceptional breathability: Mesh over the mouth and nose directs breath away from goggle; built-in top and lateral forced-air vents provide constant airflow; and the dual-pane thermal gasket lens creates an insulated barrier. Revision’s leading OcuMax© Plus coating is applied on the inside of the optical grade polycarbonate lens to prevent fogging, plus, a hard-coat on the outside of the lens resists scratching.
Revision partnered with Anon, a subsidiary of Burton Snowboards, to feed off their depth of snow sports gear expertise. The SnowHawk system utilizes Anon’s Magnetic Facemask Integration (MFI) technology to integrate the goggle and balaclava, providing a full-seal to protect from exposure to the elements, and to ensure stability for rugged, dynamic operations in difficult and formidable terrain. The SnowHawk system is low-profile and lightweight, with a sleek form-factor and efficient design compatible with helmets, binoculars, and night vision systems. The optical grade polycarbonate lenses are interchangeable—with options for bright sunlight, a particular concern in snow-covered conditions, overcast or low-light scenarios, and laser protection.
