Cold Weather 83 Evaluation of the Mobile Food Service Unit and Tray Packs.

摘要

This report details the field evaluation of the Mobile Food Service Unit and T Rations, two key elements of the proposed new USMC field feeding system for the 1990's, during the NATO exercise Cold Weather-83. Major conclusions drawn from this evaluation include: the Mobile Food Service Unit (MFSU) is a highly effective, labor efficient concept for extreme cold weather environments; proposed new system staffing levels which provide an overall 66% reduction in manpower requirements are adequate; and hot T Ration meals, to include regular and single hot-item meals (large portion of casserole or stew-type item) are highly acceptable in cold environments. The proposed system consists entirely of components of the new Army Combat Field Feeding System (ACFFS), which have been reconfigured to support USMC requirements. Major new system components include: the Mobile Food Service Unit (MFSU), a heat-on-the-move trailer-mounted Tray Pack heating system for highly mobile combat units; Modular Field Kitchens (MFK), modular tent based kitchens for nonground combat elements which can be configured to support from 100 to 2,200 troops; and the T Ration, which incorporates Tray Packs, precooked thermostabilized heat and serve food items, for the entree, starch, vegetable, and dessert meal components. In addition, proposed new system benefits include a projected 73% reduction in water requirements, and a 92% reduction in fuel requirements.