About the Different Protective Masks
The field protective masks described in this paragraph are not authorized for use in TIC environments, because many TIC, such as carbon monoxide, are oxygen-depleting. These masks are not effective in certain spaces when the oxygen content in the air is too low. Standard eyeglasses or contact lenses cannot be worn with these masks (except for the M43). Therefore, individuals must obtain optical inserts for their masks. Proper PMCS is essential to ensure serviceability.
Chemical-Biological Mask: Field M40-series. The M40-series CB mask consists of a silicone rubber facepiece with a binocular eyelens system and an elastic head harness. Other features include front and side voicemitters (allowing better contact, particularly when operating communications equipment), a drinking tube, clear and tinted inserts, and a filter canister with NATO standard threads. The M40A1 mask provides respiratory, eye, and face protection against CB agents, radioactive fallout particles, and battlefield contaminants. The canister filter cannot be changed in a contaminated environment; the mask was not designed for that contingency. Additionally, the M40A1 mask uses a second skin for additional protection, and also has a quick-doff hood. The primary users include USA and USMC units, and the mask is selectively used by USN personnel.
Chemical-Biological Mask: Combat Vehicle M42A2. The M42A2 CB mask has the same components as the M40. In addition, the M42A2 CVC mask has a detachable microphone for wire communications. The canister on the M42A2 mask is attached to the end of a hose and has an adapter for connection to a GPFU. The M40/M42-series masks also use the same filter canister with NATO standard threads, both use a second skin for additional protection, and both have a quick-doff hood. The primary users include USA and USMC units.
Chemical-Biological Mask: Aircrew Aviator M45. The M45 aircrew mask provides respiratory, eye, and face protection. The M45 aircrew mask protects the user against all known CB agents and radiological particles without the aid of forced-air ventilation, while maintaining compatibility with rotary-winged aircraft sighting systems and night vision devices (NVDs). The mask provides a microphone, a drinking tube, closefitting eyelenses, front and side voicemitters for face-to-face and phone communications, and a low-profile canister interoperability hose assembly for both hose and face-mounted configurations. The mask also comes with a hood and a second skin. The M45 mask is used to support service personnel who cannot be fitted with the standard M40-series or MCU- 2A/P series protective masks. The primary users include USA and USMC units.
Chemical-Biological Mask: Aircraft M43. The M43 mask provides the required CB agent protection and allows for compatability with the AH-64 attack helicopter helmet, the display sighting system, and the optical relay tube. The mask comes with a portable blower/filter system that operates on battery or aircraft power to maintain positive pressure in the facepiece and an inhalation air distribution assembly for regulating the flow of air. Additionally, the mask provides for external voice or wire communications and a drink tube assembly. The primary users include USA AH-64 helicopter aviators.
Chemical-Biological Mask: M48. The M48 CB aircraft mask was developed for the AH-64 Apache helicopter aviators. It provides face, eye, and respiratory protection against CB agents and radioactive particles. The M48 mask has a lightweight motor blower that is mounted on the user during dismounted operations and is mounted to the airframe during flight operations. The motor blower provides filtered, breathable air that keeps the head cool and prevents the eyelens from fogging. While wearing the M48 mask, crewmembers can perform their missions in an NBC environment inside or outside the aircraft. The M48 will replace the M43 mask, which is worn by Apache helicopter aviators.
Aircrew Eye/Respiratory Protection. The aircrew eye/respiratory protection (AERP) is a protective mask that enables USAF aircrews to conduct mission operations in a CB environment. The AERP system includes a protective hood assembly with a standard MBU-13/P mask, an intercom for ground communications, and a blower assembly that provides demisting. The blower is stowed during flight operations on a bracket that is mounted inside the aircraft. It replaces the MBU-13/P system for aviators. The primary users include USAF units.
CB Respiratory System (A/P 22P-14[V] Nondevelopmental Item [NDI]). The CB respiratory system is a self-contained, protective ensemble designed for all forward deployed rotary wing (Version 1 for USN) and fixed wing (Versions 2 through 4 for USN and USMC) aircrews. The design incorporates a CB filter, dual air/oxygen supply, a crossover manifold with a ground flight selector switch to filter air for hood ventilation, and filtered air for breathing. The A/P 22P-14(V) 1 is for helicopter use and is not compatible with aircraft with oxygen delivery systems. The A/P 22P-14(V) 2 is used on EA-6B and F- 18A aircraft. The A/P 22 P-14 (V) 3 is used on AV-8B and F-18C/D aircraft, and the A/P 22P-14(V) 4 is used for C130 crews. The primary users include USN and USMC aircrews.
MCU-2A/P Protective Mask. The MCU-2A/P mask (with a serviceable canister filter installed) protects the face, eyes, and respiratory tract from CW and BW agents and radioactive dust particles. A properly worn mask provides USN and USAF personnel with a gas-tight face seal, which prevents unfiltered air from reaching the wearer’s respiratory system. An internal microphone may be placed inside the mask and connected to an external communications system through a connector on the front voicemitter. The major components of the MCU-2A/P mask include an outlet valve assembly, an outlet valve cover, a drinking tube, a nosecup, an inlet valve, lens outserts, and a canister. The accessories for the MCU-2A/P mask include a mask carrier, a protective hood, mask outserts, and a special canteen drinking cap. The primary user includes USN and USAF personnel.
MCU-2/P Protective Mask. The MCU-2/P-series protective mask is the eye respiratory protection equipment used shipboard for CBR defense. It has a single filter and two voicemitters-one on the front of the mask for speaking directly into a telephone or radio handset and one at the side to allow personnel nearby to hear. The mask has a drinking tube that connects to a canteen with an M1 canteen cap. The MCU-2/P is being phased out and replaced by the MCU-2A/P-series protective mask. The primary users include the USN and USAF.
M17A1/M17A2-Series Field Protective Mask. The M17A1/M17A2-series CB mask, with the M6A2 hood, protects against field concentrations of all known CB agents in vapor or aerosol form. The mask is no longer standard issue for military personnel; however, it could still be used for issue to civilians during missions such as noncombatant evacuation operations (NEOs).
Joint Service General Purpose Mask. The joint service general-purpose mask (JSGPM) will eventually replace the M40/M42/MCU-2/P-series masks. The JSGPM will provide face, eye, and respiratory protection from battlefield concentrations of CB agents, TIM, and radioactive particulate matter. It will also provide improved protection for selected TIC.
M41 Protection Assessment Test System. The M41 protection assessment test system (PATS) is designed to check the readiness of protective masks and to verify that a protective mask, while worn by an individual, is capable of providing the required fit factor/protection factor (PF). The PATS verifies that the fit of the mask to the person’s face is acceptable and that there are no critical leaks in the mask system. In addition to these features, the PATS can also be used to help screen for unserviceable masks, to assist in determining if PMCS have been conducted properly on critical components, and to assist in training personnel on the proper wear of the mask. The PATS is currently used by USA, USMC, and USAF units. Additionally, the PATS requires periodic calibration, and the calibration is scheduled and coordinated through service logistics channels.
Mask Leakage Tester, TDA-99M. The TDA-99M is a one-man, portable, unitlevel system that is capable of determining serviceability, checking PMCS adequacy, and identifying defective components of protective masks. Users include USA, USN, USAF, and USMC units.
Voice Communication Adapter. The voice communication adapter (VCA) is a lowrisk program providing additional voice amplification capability to the M40/M42 mask. The VCA is a joint program between the USA and the USMC.
Universal Second Skin. The universal second skin is one of the components of a preplanned product improvement (P3I) in the M40/M42 series mask. The universal second skin provides liquid agent protection for the mask faceblank material. The primary users include USA and USMC units.
NBC Protection Items Stowed in the Carrier, Protective Mask. Each branch of service will specify what items are to be carried for the protection of their personnel based on associated missions. Generally, current mask carriers accommodate three NAAKs, M8 detector paper, a technical reference, a mask hood (mounted on the mask in most cases), mask outserts (mounted on the mask in most cases), a waterproof bag, a canteen cap, and personal and equipment decontaminating kit (M291 SDK and/or M295 DKIE).
