Individual Distribution CBRN Filters and Systems

Individual Distribution System

General Product Description:
In individual distribution systems, small filter units supply 3 to 4.5-cfm (5.1-7.7 m³/hr) of purified air through CBRN-resistant hoses to each crew member’s protective mask. The air inside the vehicle is not purified, as in positive pressure systems. In individual distribution systems, small filter units supply 3 to/hr) of purified air through CBRN-resistant hoses to each crew member’s protective mask. The air inside the vehicle is not purified, as in positive pressure systems.

Advantages
Individual distribution systems have the lowest volume, weight and power consumption of any collective protection system. An ID system relieves the crew of the effort required to breathe unassisted through a mask while reducing the discomfort of wearing a mask by increasing sweat evaporation on the face.

M8A3 Filter System
The M8A3 is the smallest CBRN system Hunter Manufacturing Company offers. It provides 3- to 4.5-cfm of purified air for up to four crew members, with maximum airflow of 12-cfm. All major filtration components (gas and particulate filters) are contained in the single M2A2 housing.

Application
The U.S. and Allied militaries employ individual distribution systems as primary CBRN systems in vehicles that cannot maintain overpressure and as secondary CBRN systems (back-up system) in positive-pressure protected vehicles.

Originally designed for older vehicles such as the M60 tanks, they are currently installed in virtually all classes of combat and tactical vehicles, among them the Abrams, Bradley, Paladin, M113 APC, M109, MLRS, Piranha, HWMMV.

M13A1 Filter System
The 20-cfm M13A1 filter system uses the same housing and blower assembly (tuned for a higher flow) as the M8A3, but it employs a gas filter separate from the main filter unit. The M13A1 supplies air for up to five persons.

System Types
Hunter Manufacturing Company manufactures the two individual distribution systems in wide use by the U.S. Military today: the 12-cfm M8A3 and the 20-cfm M13A1.

Mounting and Installation
Though the M8A3 and the M13A1 have standard configurations, Hunter Manufacturing Company recommends that a system be customized for each vehicle’s configuration. Some vehicles employ non-standard system configurations or ‘mix-and-match’ components to get the desired configuration.