Joint Service General Purpose Mask M-50/M-51
| M50 joint service general purpose mask | |
|---|---|
 A M50 gas mask with attached filters | |
| Type | Gas mask |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2009-Present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Produced | 2009-Present |
The M50 series protective mask consisting of the M50 and M51 variants, officially known as the Joint Service General Protective Mask (JSGPM) is a lightweight, protective mask system consisting of the mask, a mask carrier, and additional accessories. The mask was designed to incorporate state-of-the-art technologies to protect United States Armed Forces and allied forces from current and anticipated CBRN threats. It is an above-the-neck, chemical-biological (CB) respirator that protects against battlefield concentrations of CB agents, toxins, toxic industrial materials and radioactive particulate matter. The M50/51 masks replace the M40 and M42, MCU-2/P series masks and the M45 of the Land Warrior Program. There are two mask variants: M50 (ground and shipboard use) and M51 (ground vehicle use).[1] The M50 series mask entered into service in December 2009.[2][3]
Description
The M50 series is certified to MIL-SPEC PRF-EA-10003. The mask design features improve performance against chemical and biological agents, toxic industrial chemicals, and nuclear fallout. The dual, low profile filters reduce weight and bulk while reducing breathing resistance by fifty percent over the M40 series mask. The filters incorporate a shelf-life indicator patch which changes colors from white to blue when the filters are no longer serviceable. The mask face blank incorporates self sealing filter mounts that allow for filter changes in a contaminated environment. The single element eye lens gives the mask a 96 degree field of view and improved compatibility with military equipment and battlefield optical systems. The drinking system of the mask allows for greater liquid flow however, is not compatible with previous drinking systems. Consequently, the mask is normally issued with an M50 series compatible canteen cap. The lifetime ownership cost of the mask was reduced by fifty percent when compared with the M40 series mask due to a lower repair part count, all maintenance being completed at the operator and unit level and color coding of repair parts which decreased on-hand repair part inventory.[4]
Users
Brazil: Used by Brazilian Special Forces and NBC divisions with a different filter.[citation needed]
Iraq: Used by Iraqi special forces under Counter-Terrorism Service.[5]
United States: In service with all branches of the U.S. military.[6]
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- ^ "Joint Service General Purpose Mask (JSGPM) M-50/M-51". USAASC. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
- ^ American Horse, LCpl Vanessa M. (12/2/2009). "M50: New Look Same Protection". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 9 March 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Sanborn, James K. (June 2, 2010). "Marine Corps fielding new gas mask". Marine Corps Times. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Maruscak, John (January–February 2001). "Mask cuts breathing effort" (PDF). The Warrior: 12.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ http://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/Documents/defbudget/fy2018/fy2018_CTEF_J-Book_Final_Embargoed.pdf
- ^ http://www.military.com/equipment/m50-m51-joint-service-general-purpose-mask
External links
- US Air Force: The New M50 Gas Mask on YouTube, M50 Gas Mask Valve Replacement on YouTube
