Today’s Special Operations Forces often operate beyond the reach of established supply lines, and often cannot build fixed infrastructure due to the nature or length of their deployment. The PTX SPM-622 Special Forces Roll Kit was developed by Protonex specifically to provide a solution to this challenge and it has been proven in multiple deployments with US and International SOF units.

The PTX Special Forces Roll Kit combines an SPM-622 Squad Power Manager with cables and accessories for electronic equipment commonly used by US and Allied Special Operations Forces. Each kit includes an SPM-622, a lightweight solar blanket, connectors for civilian and military batteries and vehicles power outlets; as well as smart cables for NATO military radios, satellite communication systems, smart phones, tablets and laptop computers.

The SPM-622 Squad Power Manager enables the operator to maintain constant operability of critical systems by “scavenging” power from any available source and automatically converting that power as required by the connected device or battery. Thanks to its intelligent power management system, the SPM-622 can also simultaneously charge military and COTS batteries. It operates efficiently at temperatures ranging from -20° to +60° C, and will even function when totally submerged.

The SPM-622 Special Forces Roll Kit enables units to maintain constant operational effectiveness, while greatly reducing their battery burden – even the most undeveloped and austere environments.

The kit can be purchased on the Class IX NSN schedule, under GSA contract, from authorized Distributors and Systems Integrators; and directly from Protonex Technology Corporation.

The SPM-622 Special Forces Roll Kit will be on display at next month’s Warrior East.

NSN 6150-01-625-1021

For further product and application information visit www.PTXnomad.com

Over the last two decades, the demands for proficient power management systems have made dramatic changes. Increased medical capability and automation of laboratory, documentation and monitoring equipment has changed how patients are managed in the field.

Additionally, decreased size and power consumption has led to the deployment of equipment and capability that originally would have been reserved for first world hospitals in the most remote and inhospitable places on the globe.

During this time, Special Operations Medicine went from the most basic urgent care, to rivaling rural emergency rooms from 20 years ago.

One area that consistently poses a challenge in power management is power supply for medical devices. Fortunately for special operations medicine, they’re not alone; as power management has been a struggle for all specialties of combat operation. As the technologies evolve and deployment of new devices happens, the solutions are fielded by non-medical unit personnel. This fielding oftentimes inhibits the proper use of the devices and critical integration requirements, forcing medical personnel to deliver less than their full capability available to units on the battlefield; a perfect example of this is the Squad Power Management Kits by army infantry and special operations units.

The Squad Power Management kit is comprised of a power management unit with a set of cables for harvesting power from a variety of sources, and another set of specialized cables to deliver power to the equipment organic to the unit. Currently, Protonex has deployed over 5,000 SPM kits to both the US and international militaries. The US Army alone has supplied over 3000 SPM kits to their infantry units and another 1100 kits to Army Special Operations.

This modernization program has increased capability to our deployed troops, results in long term cost savings to the military and a decrease in the combat load for our troops. Unfortunately, none of these deployed equipment sets include medical cables.

USSOF elements have a unique mission requirement to provide extended field medical care to patients in remote AORs. 1st Special Forces Command (A) and 75th Ranger Regiment have fielded SPM 622 kits through the Nett Warrior Program. These units could purchase additional cables at a low cost to upgrade their existing SPM kits to Medical Kits, allowing medical personnel the ability to provide care for patients for an extended period. In acquisition terms this is the equivalent of adding a SOF MOD kit to share funding for SOF equipment with the parent service. This provides an opportunity to increase capability with little additional cost by leveraging existing P2 funded equipment. Further, by broadening the utility of the issued equipment, the unit maximizes its investment. Essentially, the additional capability provided will allow medics to sustain patients for if they have access to other military and civilian batteries, vehicles, and aircraft.

US military medical personnel have the ability to procure SPM 622’s and/or add medical cables to existing kits to give them the ability to provide extended field medical care in remote AOR or on extended patrols. This equipment which is already organic to Army Infantry units, Special Forces ODA Teams and Ranger Regiment can be leveraged by unit medical personnel when needed to manage the challenges of power consumption in remote locations. As the USSOCOM mission set transitions to a more decentralized area of operations, these issues will become more pronounced. It is important that units know the capability of their organic systems and the deficiencies their currently issued equipment has concerning medical equipment.

The following medical equipment cables are available for purchase as accessories to the currently issued kits. Additional cables can be developed as needed for minimal cost to suit special equipment that may be organic to a unit but not common to the rest of the enterprise.

For more information on the SPM-622 Squad Power Manager and its capabilities, please contact Protonex at 508-490-9960 or team.room@protonex.com. For further discussion on the utility of the kit in operational use, please comment below.

About Kyle:
Retired Special Forces Medic and Medical Research and Development Sergeant Major in the USASOC Combat Development Directorate. Served as one of of USSOCOM’s leading experts in development and fielding of special operations medical equipment and tactics, techniques and procedures. Served on the Department of Defense’s Joint Program Committee for Combat Care, as well as the subcommittees for Forward Surgical, Intensive, and Critical Care and Hemorrhage Control and Fluid Resuscitation. Currently a Product Development Consultant for SAM Medical and Board member of BlackBox Biometrics Inc. Bachelor’s Degree in Management Studies from University of Maryland University College.