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.

BiP Solutions was established in 1984 to facilitate business between the public and private sectors.

Defence Contracts Online

Through a 16-year partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) as official publishers of their contract information, BiP provides a range of defence-specific products and services to assist private sector businesses to successfully compete in the defence marketplace.

MOD Defence Contract Information Services

MOD Defence Contracts Online (DCO - www.contracts.mod.uk) is the official online source of UK Ministry of Defence contract opportunities, giving private sector suppliers access to all UK MOD contracts of all values, in one place. Access to MOD DCO is completely FREE and registered suppliers can search for contracts 24/7.

By registering for free and entering keywords/phrases into their unique supplier profile, registrants will also receive tailored daily email alerts directly to their inbox containing the latest UK MOD contracts that match their defence product and service offering.

The aim of the MOD Defence Contracts Online service is to guide organisations through some of the steps they will need to follow to sell to the UK Ministry of Defence, while providing a gateway to new contract opportunities for both large and small organisations wishing to compete for defence business, either directly as a prime contractor or indirectly as a sub-contractor.

To register your business today, visit www.contracts.mod.uk and follow the simple supplier registration process.

Defence Contracts Bulletin

Published in association with two key UK Ministry of Defence procurement agencies – Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) – MOD Defence Contracts Bulletin (MOD DCB) is read by organisations that are serious about engaging effectively with the UK MOD as a supplier, as well as by the UK MOD’s own buying community.

Through this fortnightly publication, readers gain access to a wealth of UK MOD contract opportunities and key defence market intelligence, including:

• All UK MOD contracts valued above £10,000;
• A unique insight into the UK MOD’s spending plans;
• The UK MOD’s ongoing and upcoming equipment projects;
• Future UK MOD requirements;
• UK MOD procurement policies;
• Key defence industry analysis and features;
• Exclusive interviews and commentary from key UK MOD and defence personnel.

Defence Contracts International

Defence Contracts International (DCI) is the premium source of information on defence contract opportunities and a world leader in providing key defence and security contracts in the UK, Europe and worldwide.

Our dedicated business intelligence research department search over 400 independent sources every day, and we receive direct feeds from the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and Fedcon to provide unrivalled defence contract information that keeps your business on top of what’s happening in global defence markets.

Defence is one of the world’s most lucrative industry sectors, with thousands of defence and security contracts published each year. With a DCI subscription, you can also enjoy direct access to contracts from other related sectors, such as:

• Homeland Security
• Humanitarian Aid
• Counter Terrorism
• Emergency Services
• Aerospace
• Aviation

Access to these further defence-related contract opportunities will undoubtedly allow you to further expand your business within existing and new defence marketplaces.

Other key benefits from having a DCI subscription include:

• Your own interactive dashboard, allowing you to flag contracts of interest and track opportunities for tendering;
• A unique supplier profile, tailored to your exact needs to ensure you receive only the most relevant opportunities;
• Daily email alerts containing the latest contracts published, along with live alerts for new contracts published throughout the day – keeping you at the forefront of new opportunities;
• Dedicated Account Management throughout your subscription year*, providing the best service possible and ensuring you receive maximum return from your investment;
• A gateway to further contract opportunities of a similar nature, from non-defence buyers.

DCI is ideal for organisations of all sizes, from SMEs seeking defence business opportunities in their own regional areas to major multinational players looking to capture as large a share as possible of the global defence market.

Annual subscriptions start from as little as £280 per year.

To find out more about how Defence Contracts International can help your business grow, simply visit www.dcicontracts.com today, or to speak with a Defence Business Growth Advisor call 0845 270 7092. We’re open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

*Our Account Management Team fully support subscriptions over the value of £500 only.

Defence Procurement Events and Exhibitions

BiP Solutions also delivers a range of defence-focused exhibitions and training events throughout the UK each year.

The Defence Procurement Research, Technology and Exportability 2013 exhibition is a one-day event that will showcase innovative defence procurement for buyers and suppliers.

Taking place on Wednesday 20 November 2013 at the University of the West of England Exhibition and Conference Centre, DPRTE 2013 will provide the buyer and supplier communities with a unique opportunity to interact across a single platform in order to enhance effective collaboration and competition in all areas of defence research and technology.

Delegates will discuss the future shape of the defence sector, as represented by:

• Defence Agencies
• Central Government
• Academic Institutions
• UK MOD Project Teams
• European Partners
• Prime Contractors
• 1st and 2nd Tier Sub-Contractors
• SMEs and Micro SMEs

Exhibiting suppliers will enjoy:

• Promoting their capabilities to over 1000 buyers as well as end users;
• Identifying opportunities to transfer technology into new markets;
• Exploring international markets;
• Identifying potential partners and funding opportunities;
• Engaging with academia to understand the latest technology concepts.

For more information on this unique and innovative showcase event, visit www.dprte.co.uk

Our Procurement Advice and Support Service (PASS) is the training arm of the business and delivers a Selling To Defence workshop in various UK locations.

The one-day workshop aims to inform delegates of the vision for the future of UK defence and the implications of the ongoing changes within UK MOD procurement, including the recently announced ten-year equipment spending plan, with the ultimate goal being to assist delegates in developing their strategy and defining processes to win business within the defence sector.

Topics covered include:

• Understanding the UK Procurement Regulations;
• Selling to Defence – the UK MOD’s Perspective;
• Defence and Security Exporting – Support for Small Businesses:
• The Do’s and Don’ts of Tendering

The event is fully supported by the UK MOD, with dedicated speakers from Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) as well as the UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO).

To find out more about the Selling To Defence workshop, as well as dates and venues, visit www.passprocurement.com/events

Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1935 and is today the world’s leading manufacturer of high-pressure cleaning equipment. The company employs 8,700 people and has more than 80 subsidiaries all over the world. The head office is located in the south of Germany, near Stuttgart.

With the aim to further optimise the company structure and its efficiency for the benefit of its customers all over the world, the former SGC Division (Sales Government Customers) has become as Kärcher Futuretech GmbH an independent company. Besides cleaning equipment Kärcher’s subsidiary Futuretech develops, manufactures, and markets products for the special needs of public customers, such as the armed forces, fire brigades, civil defence, disaster control and relief organisations.

Futuretech strives to be the world’s top performer in the area of peacekeeping and disaster relief with highly mobile, customised and compact system solutions. Innovative state-of-the-art systems and a full product range make Futuretech the world market leader in “Professional Systems for Peacekeepers”.

Together with our highly satisfied and inspiring customers, Futuretech develops and produces systems that help to solve the challenges of the future. The innovative Futuretech systems are developed together with the ministries of defence of the leading nations and their experts for world-wide missions: for the maintenance of peace and quick aid for the needy after a catastrophe.

Product Range of Futuretech:

CBRN Protection Systems

Futuretech is a worldwide leader in CBRN protection for both military and civilian applications. We provide a comprehensive system consisting of decontamination equipment including decontamination devices, modules and systems, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) decontamination agents. Prompt and effective decontamination of persons, tanks and other vehicles, air and watercraft, personal weapons, clothing and equipment as well as sensitive material ensure the ability of the concerned troop, civilian population, police, frontier guard, etc. to survive. According to the specific needs, Futuretech offers customer-designed solutions on platforms, trailers or in containers.

With the DRDS 1 (rescue and decontamination set for one person), Futuretech is proud to present the world’s first logical overall concept which not only makes the work of fire-fighters and first responders considerably easier, but above all enables patients to be rescued in a more human manner through professional decontamination.

Military Water Supply Systems

To fulfil the basic need for drinking water Futuretech has developed a range of mobile purification systems. These systems are able to desalinate sea and brackish water. They produce drinking water out of nearly any water quality without the need for chemicals. Even water from contaminated sources can be purified.

With its innovative solutions and continuous further developments in the area of mobile water supply, Futuretech has recently developed a fully automatic water bottling plant (WBP 1300) which produces and fills up to 26,000 PET bottles per day under hygienic conditions in the field. Several UV disinfection steps during the PET bottling process and sterile filtration of the incoming drinking water ensure best water quality.

Military Mobile Catering Systems

Futuretech as the mobile catering systems specialist designs, tests and produces future-oriented systems together with experts from all over the world. The systems are highly mobile and flexible in use and can be transported even to the most remote sites. Ranging from the individual module to the container kitchen, the Futuretech catering systems are designed for transport by road, sea and air.

The newly developed mobile compact kitchen KRR 50 E ensures high-quality catering everywhere, regardless of the available infrastructure, under field conditions, and can be set up in just 15 minutes. Three easy-to-carry functional boxes convert into a complete catering line in which a variety of delicious menus can be prepared for 50 persons using the most different cooking methods (stewing, frying, grilling and baking).

Military Field Camp Systems

Futuretech’s range of field camps are deployable military facilities which - after a short assembly time – provide living and working conditions similar to those in the soldier’s home country during an extended period of deployment abroad. Futuretech systems promote the well-being of soldiers and task forces and enhance their morale and motivation.

Futuretech offers a full product range with its modular structure. Components are sanitary facilities, catering systems, and laundry systems.
As an example, the Modular Air-transportable Field Camp (FLM) is designed to answer the needs of 150 people, but can also be broken down into 50 people units. The air-transportable field camps shall be used particularly for initial operations as well as NATO or EU missions of German forces.

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).