UTILITY FLAME™ is THE heat source for field rations, field hygiene and survival. It is used by the armed forces of the United States and other NATO forces. It is the safe and more effective alternative to the flameless ration heater used for MRE. Unlike the old trioxane heat tabs and Esbit blocks, UTILITY FLAME™ is non-toxic, non-hazmat, smokeless and odorless. Ideal for whenever your forces need ‘fire in the field.’

Military Field Rations - UTILITY FLAME™

It is the safer and more effective alternative to the flameless ration heater used for MRE.

Military Survival Gear Fire Gel

In addition to heating field rations, UTILITY FLAME ™ provides a source for light and heat in any environment. Field survival often requires a soldier to start a fire under less than ideal conditions. Burning at over 700° C, UTILITY FLAME ™ will start a fire anywhere, anytime.

Field Hygiene and Sanitation

Hot water in the field for hygiene and sanitation is not always possible, but with UTILITY FLAME ™ the modern warfighter can have clean, safe water in minutes.

Soldiers Kit and Equipment - Portable Military Fire Gel

It is so safe that it is approved for unrestricted transport on military and commercial aircraft, since it is a stable, non-toxic, and non-hazardous material with a low flash point.

Fire Starter Gel

The UTILITY FLAME™ kit comes with an ultra light metal stove that creates a convection flow that funnels the heat where it’s needed. It fits standard issue canteen cups and pots weighing up to 1.3kg. It is perfect for all gel and solid fuel cookers including the Crusader Cooker and the Esbit Stove. Of course, the gel can be set directly on the ground or any other surface.

Fire Gel - UTILITY FLAME™

UTILITY FLAME™ is available in a 1.25 ounce packet and a re-sealable 6 ounce pouch. It can also be custom packaged to meet your specifications, including custom graphics to incorporate your information in your language.

In summary, UTILITY FLAME™ is light, inexpensive, safe to transport and use, and extremely versatile. It is an excellent addition to the soldiers’ kit, and makes a valuable gift to allies in the field.

•    Heats MRE entrees
•    Provides hot water for hygiene
•    Cooks indigenous foods
•    Purifies water
•    Boils water for hot beverages
•    Gives off high temperature flame for emergency sterilization
•    Does not evaporate, freeze or melt.
•    Burns hot (700°C).
•    Use in temperatures as low as -30°C and at elevations of 5,000+m.
•    Not explosive (high ignition/flash point of 151°C)
•    Zero vapor pressure
•    Unlimited shelf life
•    Water soluble — washes off with water
•    Smokeless, odorless, non-toxic, and non-hazmat. No transport restrictions
•    “Green” product. Byproducts are carbon dioxide, water, silica sand    
•    NSN number and available in COTS.

UTILITY FLAME™ is manufactured in the USA and distributed by the SIL Group of Tampa, Florida. The SIL Group draws on a number of retired military leaders as consultants, including MG (Ret) Geoffrey Lambert, former commanding general, U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Was founded in 1946 and has over 60 years experience in the manufacture and supply of a wide range of Defence and Security Equipment for Governments, Defence Forces, Security Forces, NGOs and commercial customers all over the world. Franklin manufactures shelter tents for accommodation, command posts and field hospitals; CBRN tent liners; webbing and PLCE; camp beds and mosquito nets; camouflage nets and clothing and equipment for emergency relief and humanitarian aid.

The company has expanded but J & S Franklin remains a compact family-run business which guarantees reliability, continuity and confidentiality.

J & S Franklin has a reputation for delivering high quality products to our many customers and has successfully sought to understand and satisfy their precise requirements.

Experienced executives provide professional advice and frequent in-country visits with the support of highly trained and skilled staff and consultants.

J & S Franklin is a major Contractor to the UK Ministry of Defence as well the preferred supplier to many overseas Governments, Police Forces, International Agencies and the United Nations. It operates a quality management system assessed to the quality system standard BS EN ISO 9001:2008

J & S Franklin Manufacture a Wide Range of Equipment:

Military Tents and Shelters

Standard shelters and specialised units tailored for specific requirements

The GP shelter family are the mainstay of the UK MoD Improved Tented Camp (ITC) system and are extensively deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have a lightweight tubular frame providing high strength and stability. Being of modular design, they can be extended and joined for field hospitals or shelter complex.

Franklin also makes the shelters for the Operational Field Catering System (OFCS) and more than 1400 have now been supplied to the UK MoD. The OFCS Shelter is based on the standard 12’ x 12’ shelter tent, modified with heat-resistant fabrics and cut-outs in the roof for the OFCS cooker chimneys.

CBRN Equipment for collective and personal protection - CBRN protective liners are made of CBRN-resistant materials and Franklin manufactures a range of liners that can be designed to interface with various vehicles and containers.

Camp Equipment - Camp Cots, Cot mounted and free standing Mosquito Nets and folding chairs have all been supplied to MoD.

Camouflage Nets and Systems - Individual, IRR, Thermal

Webbing and Personal Equipment - Rucksacks and Travel Bags are currently being made as well as the shelter sheet in both woodland and desert camouflage patterns.

J & S Franklin is often the chosen partner to give a complete turnkey service, using its extensive facilities to deliver a Single Source Supply; combining rapid response, experience and confidentiality to provide economical, secure and effective solutions, on a global basis. We are experts in the provision of specialised turnkey operations, drawing together the many components needed to satisfy our customers requirements; the latest and most suitable equipment, experienced support personnel, full training packages, secure packaging and delivery services and, when necessary, finance, counter-trade and insurance.

DefenCell™

In association with Terram J & S Franklin can also offer DefenCell™ which is an expeditionary earth filled barrier system to allow structures to be constructed from locally available compactable materials to allow the quick assembly of defensive and protective structures.

Franklin is also supplying the MoD with a range of full-size inflatable decoy targets for training. The inflatables offer realistic visual, radar and thermal image signatures and are rapidly deployed in less than 15 minutes and include Scud missile and launcher, T72 tanks and SA15/19 vehicles.

Electrothermal is a UK-based company that manufactures and designs water and ration heaters for military vehicles. Our heaters are designed for operations on the move and can fit into the cramped quarters of a tank, or other military vehicles, to provide necessary sustenance to the soldiers on-board.

Key features

• Heats 2 pints water and 5MREs in the vehicle while on the move
• Contents remains hot for up to 6 hours after the unit has been switched off
• " Cool to touch" outer casing
• Designed-in "Boil Dry" condition and fail safe mechanisms
• Connects to vehicles auxiliary power supply, 24 volts DC
• Heating range 66 to 71°C (on LO setting)
• Heating range 82 to 88°C (on HI setting)
• Ramp rate of 56°C in one hour (max) from ambient temperature of 21°C

The BV, still providing hot water to the troops

Electrothermal first designed the BV, in conjunction with the MOD back in the 1980’s, and it is estimated that there are over 20,000 deployed today. The BV (boiler vessel) is well known throughout the British Forces as it has been providing troops in vehicles, of all shapes and sizes, with continuous hot water for brewing up or cooking ration packs. It has been called the morale booster, amongst other things, and its rugged design has meant that it has been accompanying troops in theatres across the world for many decades in the Challenger, Foxhound, Scorpion, and the Jackal, to name but a few. In addition, all the British Army MAN trucks in the support vehicle fleet are equipped with our RAK15/30 units.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/07/iraq.military

The units have proved especially beneficial in the recent war in Afghanistan. Drawing its power from the vehicle means there is no need to stop to take a much needed rehydration break, which could make vehicles and troops vulnerable to attack and slow the mission. Excellent insulation means that it keeps water hot for hours, the outside is cool to touch and it has a very low thermal image.

An army marches on its stomach

Electrothermal recognises the importance of maintaining both the fluid and nutritional intakes of military personnel at optimum levels. The human body’s mechanisms of energy production are complex, but it is an irrefutable fact that we require food and water to metabolise glycogen into useable energy and water is a primary driving force of energy production inside the cells, so that even the slightest loss of water makes us feel lethargic.

The range of RAK water and ration heaters is designed to meet the demands of modern, mechanised forces worldwide. The RAK water and ration heaters provide potable hot water and heat meals ready to eat (MREs) on demand to give a hot meal and drink for personnel whether under combat conditions, on patrol or back at base. They are rugged, manufactured to withstand the most harsh environments and can be installed in armoured vehicles, patrol boats and helicopters.

Our current range of RAK water and ration heaters includes:

• RAK 15: operates off 15A and is designed for installation in tanks and trucks
• RAK 30: draws 30A to heat faster and is designed for the marines and special forces

Robust ration heaters for military vehicles

The RAK15/30 is at the optimal size to fit into the cramped quarters of a tank, or other military vehicles, and can provide hot meals and drinks for its five person crew, heating two pints of water and five MREs simultaneously. When used for water only, the RAK15/30 can heat up to 1gal of potable water for drinks, washing or medical purposes. Depending on the power rating, the RAK unit can heat 1gal of water in just 20 minutes under normal ambient conditions.

The heater does work in extreme climates too but it may take longer to heat the contents if the prevailing temperature is bitterly cold. When switched off, with the cover closed and locked, the thermally insulated unit keeps its contents piping hot for between four and six hours.

Food and water heaters for modern military operations

RAK15/30 units are designed to withstand the rigours of modern conflict and have been comprehensively tested to meet military standard specification MIL-PRF-44466D, MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-810. They are also certified for food heating after meeting NSN ANSI 4-2013.

Constructed from a robust stainless-steel outer casing, the unit is sealed to be water-tight, so that any steam is retained within its interior. It has both low and high temperature settings and its own built-in control, so that a separate control unit is no longer necessary. The choice of heating ranges is either 66°C - 71°C (on LO setting), or 82°C - 88°C (on HI setting).