The NEMO Frontier is a tipi-style five sided tent with ample vestibule space. Available in February, 2012 it is Made in the USA. Both Coyote and Tan are being added as standard colors so it will be easier to source NEMO shelters appropriate for tactical applications.
Available 1 January in both 2 and 3 man versions, the Mojo series of tents from Sierra Designs is very lightweight. The 2 man variant weighs in at a scant 2 lbs 11oz trail weight. To realize weight savings they have used some interesting design features such as integrated fly, half seam tape and a new pole design.
I was recently in Bed Bath & Beyond buying towels and this cool fleece throw blanket caught my eye. I picked one up and it is comfy and think it would be a good choice for folks heading down range considering the price (14.99) and materials (Polartec® Softecâ„¢). Yes, it’s SO comfy I am writing an article about it. Finally, it’s a generous 50″ W x 70″ L and available in Linen (tan) and Bark (Brown).
Tactical Assault Systems has just released their PT Mat. Available in 2 sizes (LARGE- 72″ X 24″, SMALL- 48″ X 24″), it comes in Black or Coyote. This 100% PVC mat is 1/4″ thick and has loads of uses in addition to its intended use for physical fitness training. It also includes elastic bands to keep the mat rolled.
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed thermally regulated shelters for Soldiers serving in the Himalayas.
According to a report in Rediff News:
“these shelters are equipped with integrated temperature regulators, bio-digestors and air-monitoring systems. Modular in design, the shelter has all the facilities like electrical, plumbing, water supply and sewage disposal. Kerosene gensets and solar power are well integrated within the shelter. They have been designed to withstand seismic activities up to a level of zone 5, wind velocities up to 55 m/sec and sub zero temperatures up to minus 35 degree Celsius.”
Additionally, the tents are equipped with carbon dioxide detectors. They were developed to help Indian Soldiers deal with operating from 9000 to a staggering 20000 feet in the Eastern and Western Himalayas. Since the vast majority of Indian troops come from warm climes close to sea level, DRDO has also developed a “three-stage acclimatization” process to mitigate the effects of altitude sickness.
Check out the Rediff News article to learn about other DRDO initiatives for mountain warfare including the HAPO bag a portable hyperbaric bag.
There was a time that when you said, “Expeditionary” everyone thought you meant tents. Since the end of the cold war the US military has been increasingly transforming into an expeditionary force as we relinquish control of forward bases held since the end of World War II (or earlier) to host nations. In our current conflict we have had to literally build bases from the ground up, first with traditional tentage and as time went by with increasingly sophisticated shelter systems. Even the term “expeditionary” is relative. In this same period, the US military, Federal Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations have been called upon to provide relief both home and abroad. Anymore, it’s something we do regularly. Consequently, industry is doing a great job of providing new shelter technologies leaving you with plenty of options. At Warrior Expo West you will have an opportunity to see several new systems in use.
Rapid Response Concepts will be displaying their Flat Pack shelters, setting up four shelters which connect to create a 20’ x 32’ open space. Not only can these shelters be reused, but they travel packed flat to save space and can be combined in various configurations.
Alaska Structures will also be displaying a 20’ x 32’ shelter; their Small Shelter System. They can be can be connected end-to-end, side-to-side or end-to-side to create multi-shelter complexes and is in use with the US Air Force as part of their Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) program.
The Radome from HDT Expeditionary Systems is a satellite antenna shelter and has no metal parts to cause signal loss. The Radome can withstand 65mph winds and can be setup in less than 10 minutes.
We received some photos of the HMG ECHO II shelter in Digital Camouflage. This is the best of the bunch, showing the pattern and features of the shelter. Manufactured from Cuben fibers, HMG products are Berry Compliant.
We recently learned about Hyperlite Mountain Gear which manufacturers ultra lightweight shelters made from Cuben fiber, a non-woven material used as sail cloth. They offer packs as well as one and two-man shelters and tarps including their flagship ECHO I Ultralight Shelter System. Consisting of a Cuben fiber tarp, a detachable mesh tent insert for insect and ground water protection, and a detachable vestibule for wind and storm protection, the ECHO I weighs a scant 1.36 lbs (21.8 oz) with guy lines. Don’t let the photo with the white color turn you off. Cuben fiber can be dyed virtually any color. In fact, Hyperlite Mountain Gear has a digital camo version.
