Joint Service General Purpose Mask M-50/M-51

The M50 series protective mask consisting of the M50 and M51 variants, officially known as the Joint Service General Purpose (JSGPM) is a lightweight, protective mask system consisting of the mask, a mask carrier, and additional accessories. It was adopted by the U.S. military in 2006 and is manufactured by Avon Rubber, [1] the rubber-producing department of Avon protection.

M50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask
A M50 Protective mask with attached filters
TypeProtective mask
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2006–present
Used bySee Users
Production history
ManufacturerAvon Rubber
Produced2006–present
Specifications
Weight1.9 lbs (M-50)

The mask was designed/made to incorporate the state-of-the-art technologies to protect United States Armed Forces and the allied forces from current and anticipated threats from all types of weapons of mass destruction. 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 field protective mask and M42, MCU-2/P series masks and the M45 of the Land Warrior Program.[2] There are two mask variants: M50 (ground and shipboard use) and M51 (ground vehicle use).[2]

History

The M50 series mask entered service in December 2006.[3][4] In July 2014, Avon Protection received a contract to supply 135,000 M50s for $33 million.[5] In March 2016, it was announced that 166,623 M50s were purchased by the Department of Defense (DOD) under a $42 million contract.[6]

Description

The M50 series is certified to MIL-SPEC PRF-EA-10003. The mask design features improved 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.[7]

United States Marine Corps member is wearing a M50 mask

Variants

FM - Foreign Military Export (civilian market sales will have this designator)

  • M50: Gas mask made to replace existing gas masks in use by the US military.[8]
  • M51: Consisting of a M50 gas mask with a CVC hood for head/neck protection and a flexible pipe to connect to combat vehicle overpressure systems.[8][2]
  • C50: 40mm NATO STANAG threaded version to use standard and conformal filters, primarily sold to police and export markets.
  • M53/FM53: This series gas mask is based on the M50 and specifically developed to meet the unique requirements of Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators.
  • M53A1: Improved single filter port variant of the M53.
  • M54/FM54: Current generation dual 40mm ports on all models, Improved fire and chemical resistance same overall build to the M53.

Users

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.

  1. https://www.avon-rubber.com/media/1523/introduction-to-avon-2019.pdf
  2. "Joint Service General Purpose Mask (JSGPM) M-50/M-51". USAASC. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  3. American Horse, LCpl Vanessa M. (2 December 2009). "M50: New Look Same Protection". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2006.
  4. 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.
  5. "Avon lands $33 million mask contract from U.S." 27 June 2014.
  6. "Avon Protection has received an order from US Department of Defense for M50 protection mask 11003161 | March 2016 Global Defense Security news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2016 | Archive News year".
  7. Maruscak, John (January–February 2001). "Mask cuts breathing effort" (PDF). The Warrior: 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-28. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
  8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-10-23. Retrieved 2020-08-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "NATO Nations and partners choose Avon Protection FM50 mask system | Defense News December 2020 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year".
  10. "Counter-Islamic State OF Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Train and Equip Fund (CTEF)" (PDF). US Secretary of Defence. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  11. "Avon Protection FM50 mask chosen by Netherlands army | Defense News January 2021 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2021 | Archive News year".
  12. "LOOK: Army frontliners stay COVID-19-free through decontamination". Spin.ph. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  13. Oryx. "Lotsakit From Luxembourg: The Duchy's Arms Supplies To Ukraine". Oryx. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  14. "M50 M51 joint service general purpose mask". Retrieved 27 February 2020.
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