Shelter Developments
CBRN Enhancements For its part, Federal Fabrics-Fibers continues to refine its solutions for deploying shelter systems in a chemical-biological warfare environment. In addition to providing a Chem-Bio liner and accompanying airlock, the company has ongoing development and continuous improvements to its CB zipper and insulation liner to bolster individual and unit protection on the battlefield. Survivability in the CBRN environment was also factored in by HDT Global, when it developed its new Expeditionary Collective Protection (XCP™) shelter system. SAIC’s ESS is a state-of-the-art, completely self-sufficient, modular platform that quickly deploys from an 8 by 20 ft. rigid-sided container with an exterior height of 8 ft. 6 in., to a 20 by 20 ft. facility with 345 sq. ft. of interior work space. (Source: SAIC)
and Afghanistan for ‘snap checkpoints’ and for ECPs. “The U.S. Department of State is fielding McCurdy’s Armor to the Afghan EXBS (Export Control and Border Security) to stop the trafficking of weapons and the drugs that are funding terrorists,” pointed out Dimond.
Subsystems The U.S. military also has more rigorous requirements for its ubiquitous shelter lighting products. While shelter lights must provide various degrees of security, the products must also be energy efficient and have other capabilities. Cathey Hayes, marketing spokesperson at Jameson, noted that her company manufactures a comprehensive line of shelter lighting that meets and exceeds military specifications. “Each design incorporates impact resistance and the technology to reduce power consumption while increasing light output. With increased focus on tactical and expeditionary practices, weight and packaged cube is less than half that of conventional lighting,” she said. The company’s Fluorescent Stringable Shelter Lights feature patented floating lamp sockets to protect the lamp from impact. This durability is reinforced with a shatterproof, protective tube shield and twin lamp design. Featuring electronic ballast technology, Jameson lights are more efficient and lighter weight than older field models. The flicker free, cool-to-the-touch light has no heat buildup and will not tax field generators. Particularly critical in medical shelters, Jameson offers specialized lights that provide the highest level of electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection. This protection prevents detection as well as harmful compromising of peripheral electronics and medical equipment. In addition to EMI protection, these rugged lights employ multiple voltage technology and can be operated from 110V or 230V power sources at 50 or 60 Hz. Hayes pointed out that the company’s general purpose shelter lights offer the same durability, portability and efficiency without the high level of EMI protection. Ideal for mess shelters, vestibules, maintenance enclosures and decontamination shelters, these lights are available with individual on/off switch, blackout filter and multiple voltage (230V) capability.
22 | Armor & Mobility September 2011
A company statement noted, “HDT’s XCP systems use the most advanced chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) filtration systems in the world. At the core of this modular and scalable complex are the field-proven, energy efficient shelters, filtration systems, environmental control units, heaters, and power generators that work in concert to ensure the safety of the assets inside.” At this June’s U.S. Army CBRN School’s CBRN conference in conjunction with its annual Regimental Week activities, Smiths Detection exhibited its Chemical Biological Protective Shelter (CBPS) M8E1. The shelter is a mobile army hospital which is also a collective protective (COLPRO) shelter. It allows mobile tactical army medical staff to attend to wounded warfighters, and civilians injured in natural disasters or terrorist attacks in a contamination free environment. Tim Picciotti, Vice President, Global Programs at Smiths Detection, pointed out what is extraordinary about this integrated COLPRO system is that it can be deployed in 20 minutes due to its air-beam technology. “That allows army combat medical teams (U.S. Army Echelons I and II) the mobility to provide critical medical treatment to contaminated soldiers near the fight on the battlefield. It is robust, self-contained, and has a dedicated 5-ton M1085A1 Medium Tactical Vehicle as its primary mover and supplier of power, air conditioning/heat and air filtration system.” Picciotti also stated the CBPS is the only collective protective shelter in the DoD that can be decontaminated. “Other tent-like COLPRO shelters, when contaminated, must be destroyed. It has chemical detector alarms that are integrated into the system that automatically ‘kicks in’ the COLPRO aspects of the systems,” he said, and added, “It is powered by two sets of generators. One of which is a back up. Hospitals, even mobile hospitals cannot afford to have a power failure.” The CBPS will be in production starting before the end of the Defense Department’s fiscal year 2011 budget year and will have the latest advancements ready to go for FY12. Further improvements have been identified for FY14 and beyond but will not be announced until late FY13. When deployed, it will be used by the U.S. Army Medical Department as a battalion aid station, protected workspace for advance surgical teams and other U.S. Army Medical units at Echelons 1 and II. CBPS is also a priority system for the U.S. National Guard.
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