Australia has opened a $4 million "virtual-soldier" combat clothing test facility within the Defense Science and Technology Organization in Melbourne.

The facility is in a new building and built around a large controlled-temperature chamber.

The testing facility was opened officially by Australian Minister for Defense Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, who said the chamber can simulate extreme environments, ranging from minus 20 degrees to plus 50 degrees Celsius.

"Our servicemen and women deserve the best possible protection and this facility will enable scientists to develop protective clothing suitable for a range of hazardous and toxic environments," Snowdon said.

"This state-of-the-art facility can simulate any natural environmental condition that Australian (military) personnel are likely to encounter."

Heuch, a manufacturer of refrigeration equipment and systems with headquarters in the state of Victoria, won the tender for the design and construction of the temperature-controlled chamber which was built by specialist tanks manufacturer Nicro Engineering of Geelong. Melbourne firm Hooker Cockram constructed the building.

Researchers will use the multipurpose environment simulation facility to assess the performance and function of clothing including existing uniforms, developmental materials and design options.

They will also be able to assess the limits of human physiological performance in extreme climates by using a full-size, articulated mannequin that mimics human movement. This enables scientists to make objective, full-system assessments rather than relying on the claims of manufacturers.

"This is a major improvement on the existing system of testing which used small swatch samples cut from uniforms or rolls of cloth," Snowdon said. "The fully kitted-out, moving mannequin will substitute as a virtual soldier and allow the entire ensemble to be evaluated in a holistic way."

The strategy is to refine soldiers' clothing "so it offers more comfort, protection and integrates better with other combat equipment," he said.

Australian troops have been pushing for more suitable clothing and body armor for several years, especially since the country began operations in Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, Australian soldiers began receiving new lightweight tiered body armor that incorporates a lighter ballistic plate system than previous armor. The TBAS package also has a new ammunition pouch system designed for a more rapid access.

The decision to make body armor more flexible and lighter was made after concerns by Australian troops in Afghanistan that the armor was more suited to soldiers in Iraq on mechanical operations such as manning tanks and driving vehicles in logistics.

In Afghanistan most soldiers operated on foot and needed armor that allowed more physical movement and was lighter.

Australian Defense Apparel, founded in 1912 by the Australian government and privatized in 1995, won the TBAS contract in 2008. It manufactures the armor at its facility in Bendigo, Victoria.

TBAS is part of the Modular Combat Body Armor System project set up August 2005 to supply the next generation of body armor.

MCBAS is part of the larger, more encompassing Land 125 Soldier Combat Systems project started in mid 2005 to modernize all the equipment used by infantrymen when in close combat.

Land 125 SCS is looking to improve a soldier's personal radio, helmet, carrying equipment and protective padding.

The Adelaide Now newspaper reported in November that Australian troops, "after nine years of pleading for effective camouflage clothing," were about to trial the same "cams" as U.S. troops, at a cost of $400 a set.

Around 1,000 "diggers" -- Australian ground troops -- going "outside the wire" during the next 12 months were to wear the U.S.-made MultiCam camouflage clothing.

"Diggers have complained about moving around the grey desert, brown compounds and bright green green-zones like sitting ducks," the report said.