SMART ePANTS (Smart Apparel for U.S. Intelligence)

2023: Clothing Development

On August 22, 2023, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence of the United States (ODNI) announced the SMART ePANTS program to develop smart clothing capable of recording audio and video materials, as well as location data. The first technologies have already been created.

The initiative is being implemented by the Advanced Intelligence Research Agency (IARPA) as part of ODNI. The SMART ePANTS project, or Smart Electrically Powered and Networked Textile Systems, involves the creation of a "smart textile" that feels and functions like any familiar item of clothing. As of August 2023, the US intelligence agency provided the largest financial support for research in the relevant field for all its activities.

The office of the Director of National Intelligence of the United States (ODNI) announced the SMART ePANTS program

Smart clothing will include special electronic components that can stretch and bend. Such a fabric can be washed without compromising the performance of integrated microcircuits. With everyday wearing, clothes of a new type will not constrain movements or cause any discomfort.

To conduct research, contracts have been signed with a number of scientific organizations and enterprises, including the non-profit institute SRI International, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Nautilus Defense, Leidos and Areté. They will be able to involve third-party academic institutions, non-profit organizations and other structures in the program. The initiative is designed for 42 months. The result of the work will be the production of specialized clothing for US intelligence officials, the Department of Defense, the US Department of Homeland Security and other departments. Built-in electronics will allow you to collect operational data on the situation, which will help in the implementation of intelligence activities and planning certain tasks.^[1]

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