Improved Heating Technology for the Unitized Group Ration - Express (Army)
Abstract
The Improved Heating Technology (IHT) project addresses a critical need for non-hydrogen producing chemical heating technology for the Unitized Group Ration Express (UGR-E) Military group self heating meal application that does not produce hydrogen as a by-product of the heating process. The primary goal of the IHT TTI project is to accelerate transition of new heater technology into an on-going UGR-E procurement that eliminates operational, transport, and storage restrictions attributed to the hydrogen by-product of the current heater and thereby fosters potential commercial applications and expanded industrial base. Additional benefits that may be realized through the IHT initiative include additional sources of supply beyond the current sole source, and improved performance, quality, and cost. Alternative ration heating technologies to be considered include an exothermic air-activated aluminum/zinc/nickel heater, a blended phosphorous pentoxide (P205) and calcium oxide (CaO) anhydrous heater, and an enhanced Magnesium-Iron (Mg-Fe) heater that couples manganese dioxide in the heater matrix. Program Outputs and Efficiencies: 1) Raise the temperature of the shelf stable polymeric food trays from 40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 45 minutes; 2) Weigh less than 500 grams per heater with a unit cost less than 3 dollars and pose no operational, storage, transport, or disposal restrictions; 3) Provide a drop-in product replacement for existing UGR-E heater product and enable an immediate transition of non-hydrogen heater technology for full rate production by Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in FY 2010, a three year acceleration over previous program schedules.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- f6f0929e347b14ad57761cfd6e71cf63