XM30

XM30 Chemical Biological Protective Mask

XM30 Masks as Worn.

Preceded by	Succeeded by
XM29	MCU-2/P M40

Filter

C2

Filter connection
40mm STANAG

Field of View

Panoramic

Made in

United States

Period

1979 - 1982

Issued to

US Army

Development history[]

Like the XM29, the XM30 was intended to replace the M17 and M17A1 field protective masks, the M24 Aircrew mask, the M25 series CVC masks, the M9 special-purpose mask, and the Navy Diaphragm Mark V. After about five years of development with the XM29 which had started it's development in 1974, the Army started a new development program in March of 1979 to find alternate materials for the XM29 which lasted until March of 1980. In this materials evaluation program, modes of manufacturing were tested such as an all polyurethane XM29 mask, and a method utilizing a polyurethane lens that is adhered to a silicone periphery. The latter is what would ultimately become the XM30 Chemical Biological Protective Mask. Just to further clarify, the main difference between the XM29 and XM30 is, the XM29 is a uni-molded mask meaning it is entirely one piece whereas the XM30 utilizes a silicone facepiece and separately bonded polyurethane lens. The first prototype to incorporate this two-piece design was delivered on June 15, 1979 to Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Three companies had designed prototypes for the XM30, those being MSA, Sierra, and ILC Dover who were also previously working on the XM29 series. The ILC Dover design is described as having the lens "scallop" around the hardware (pretty much what would be seen with all further XM30 prototypes and later the MCU) whereas MSA's and Sierra's design had an abrupt straight line across the face piece. Currently there are no known photos of the MSA or Sierra XM30. During the materials evaluation, an all polyurethane XM29 mask showed the most promise with being much cheaper and simpler in construction than what would become the XM30, but had constant issues like excessive flashing when the mold was packed, not retaining optical quality, and certain mixtures not retaining the shape of the mold. Had an all polyurethane XM29 been perfected, it would have been more cost effective and lighter in weight compared to the XM30 and all silicone XM29. At the end of the program it was recommended that the polyurethane XM29 saw further development. The polyurethane XM29 would see testing and development into 1980 and possibly 1981 along with the newly designed XM30.

After much trial and tribulation with the development of the new XM30, the mask could not be perfected as issues with the lens such as blooming, permanent set, yellowing, poor solvent resistance, and difficulty in decontamination resulted in the Army ultimately terminating the entire program in July of 1982 with the program being given the golden fleece award for wasting taxpayer money and still leaving much to be desired in terms of finalizing a new protective mask to replace the aging M17A1 for the Army. As a result of the cancelation, the M17A2 entered production shortly thereafter as the M17A1's production had been stalled in anticipation of the standardization of the XM30 which never happened. In total, the budget for the entire XM29-XM30 program was 45.5 million dollars with 39 million dollars going into research and development and 6.5 million dollars going to manufacturing methods technology, according to the "Department of Defense Appropriations For 1983" on page 320. This program shouldn't be considered as a complete waste however, after the cancelation the army reviewed the original Operation Capability for Protective Masks and revised it into requirements that would ultimately turn into the XM40 program. Everything learned from the XM29 and XM30 research and development was applied to the XM40 program with the latter ultimately resulting in a finalized M40 mask in the fiscal year of 1987. Also, the Air Force would continue to test the XM30 and later finalize it at some point in 1983 as the MCU-2/P with production going to Scott Aviation, who would later also be involved in the XM40 program. The Navy would later adopt the MCU-2/P as well around 1984 which would replace their aging Navy Diaphragm Mark V.

The XM30 had two other variants being tested alongside it, the XM33 Aircrew Mask and the XM34 Combat Vehicle Crewmen protective mask as well as a special purpose mask.