UNCLASSIFIED

Judith Aylward, MS, RDSr. Food Technologist

Supplier/Vendor LiaisonIndividual Combat Rations TeamDoD Combat Feeding Directorate

Research & Development Associates Fall Forum

November 2009

Fielded Individual/Assault Ration Improvement Project

R&DA Boot Camp

UNCLASSIFIED

Combat Ration Development & Integration ProcessCombat Ration Development & Integration Process

WHERE COMPONENTS/ PRODUCTS ORIGINATE:

Warfighter Feedback – Through a variety of channels, Warfighters often “ask” for specific menu items to be considered.

Non-Developmental Item – Items that have been submitted by industry for evaluation and consideration.

In-House Development – Items that have been developed by CFD R&D personnel taking into consideration current industry trends and Joint Statements of Needs (JSN) Submittals.

Bench-Top Sensory

Evaluations

Bench-Top Sensory

Evaluations

IS ITEM APPROPRIATE FOR COMBAT

RATIONS?

IS ITEM APPROPRIATE FOR COMBAT

RATIONS?

PackagingPackagingProduced/Packaged

in USA

Produced/Packaged

in USA

Nutrition Standards

for Operational

Rations

Nutrition Standards

for Operational

Rations

Shelf StableShelf

Stable

Historical Storage

Data

Historical Storage

Data

PRODUCT EVALUATION CRITERIA:

UNCLASSIFIED

Individual Combat Ration TeamIndividual Combat Ration Team

Meal, Cold WeatherLong Range Patrol

Meal, Ready-to-Eat™ (MRE™)

First Strike Ration®

Carbopack

Modular Operational Ration Enhancement

UNCLASSIFIED

Meal, Ready-to-Eat ™ Meal, Ready-to-Eat ™

Requirements:• Provides 1300 calories per meal• 24 menus• 4 vegetarian meals• Weight/volume crucial• Approved as sole source of

food for 21 days• Shelf life: 3 years at 80oF & 6 months at

100oF• Current production – MRE™ XXIX (2009 date of pack)

UNCLASSIFIED

Meal, Ready-to-Eat ™ Meal, Ready-to-Eat ™

Continuous Product Improvement• 226 new items approved since 1993• 69 least acceptable items removed• 4 vegetarian menus• FDA food label w/allergens & trans fats• Hot beverage bag in each meal• Horizontal tear pouch• New menu bag graphics• More whole muscle meats• More ethnic foods

UNCLASSIFIED

Meal, Ready-to-Eat ™ Improvements Meal, Ready-to-Eat ™ Improvements

Horizontal Tear Pouch Beverage Pouch

Hot Beverage BagNew GraphicsBreakfast Meals

Commercial Foods

UNCLASSIFIED

First Strike Ration®First Strike Ration®

First Strike Ration®:

• OTSG approved restricted ration (10 days)

• Calorie dense, 2900 kcals

• Modular- eat on the move

• Lightweight/low cube

• 3 menus

• Performance enhancing

• 2 year shelf life

• Continuous product improvement

• Available for procurement

UNCLASSIFIED

Modular Operational Ration Enhancement Pack (MORE)Modular Operational Ration Enhancement Pack (MORE)

High Altitude Prototype Pack

Date: 01 Oct 08 JSN 06-11

Mountain Warfare Training Exercises

UNCLASSIFIED

MOREMORE

• To augment combat rations with scenario specific enhancement packs– High altitude/cold weather/extreme exertion– Combat Warfighter weight loss– Decrease significant loss in cognitive and physical abilities that

can occur in extreme environments

JSN 06-11

Date: 01 Oct 08

• To provide potential performance optimizing ingredients to the Warfighter– Tyrosine for cold weather– Quercetin for extreme exertion– Caffeine and carbohydrate for long duration/high altitude

UNCLASSIFIED

MOREMORE

MORE-High Altitude Version 1 (2010)

NSN number 8970-01-577-9691 Pack 1 Pack 2

Zapplesauce® Filled Pretzels

Cheese Spread, Jalapeno Nut raisin mix w/choc discs

Cracker Dried Cranberries

Fudge Brownie Beef Snack, Teriyaki

Mini Mocha FS™ Bar Beef Snack, BBQ

Beverage, Carb Electrolyte Beverage, Carb Fortified (Form e)

Caffeinated Gum

Weight: 330gCalories: 1025

Weight: 280gCalories: 1070

UNCLASSIFIED

MOREMORE

MORE-High Altitude Version 2 (2011)

Pack 1 Pack 2 Pack 3

Caffeinated Chocolate Pudding

First Strike™ Bar Mini First Strike™ Bar, Mocha

Nut Mix w/ dried fruit Nut raisin mix w/choc discs

Cracker

Toaster pastry (whole grain)

Corn nuggets Spicy cheese and vegetable spread

Energy gel Energy gel Baked snack cracker

Pretzels, cheese filled Bev, carb electrolyte Bev, carb fortified form E

Beef jerky Zapplesauce®

Caffeinated gum

Weight:350gCalories: 1200

Weight: 300gCalories: 1220

Weight: 300gCalories: 1030

UNCLASSIFIED

Meal, Cold Weather/ Long Range Patrol (MCW/LRP)Meal, Cold Weather/ Long Range Patrol (MCW/LRP)

• Dual purpose in single product: 12 menus

– MCW – Cold weather missions• Lightweight/low volume• Issued as 3 per day• Calorically dense (4600 calories)• Dehydrated components won’t freeze• White meal bag

− LRP – Special Operations missions• Issued as one per day• Restricted ration 1500 calories• Tan colored meal bag

UNCLASSIFIED

New Item Introduction for Individual Combat Rations New Item Introduction for Individual Combat Rations

Item field tested

Yes

No

No

Natick In-House or Non-Developmental Item

submittal

Sensory score

acceptable ?

Is item appropriate for ration?

Item storage tested (4 wks 120F, 6 month 100F)

Yes

Item score acceptable in the field?No

Yes

No further testing

Item recommended at Joint Services

Operational Ration Forum (JSORF)

Contact project officer &send to Natick

2QY13QY1

4QY1

2QY2

UNCLASSIFIED

Questions?Questions?

Warfighter Recommended, Warfighter Tested, Warfighter Approved™