Corps explores possibilities for new tents

[unhappycamper]

Marines from the MEU Service Support Group 11, Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton, set up a bivouac site during the building of an Initial Support Base, also known as a Forward Operating Base by the Marines of MSSG- 11, during a Humanitarian Assistance Operation training exercise Nov. 9 at Red Beach. The Corps is looking at upgrading its two-man tent and its arctic shelter.


Corps explores possibilities for new tents
By Dan Lamothe - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Mar 9, 2009 8:38:20 EDT

The Corps’ two-man infantry shelter and 10-man arctic tent are likely on their way out, officials said.

In separate advertisements, Marine Corps Systems Command said it is researching the development of a new two-man combat tent and an “extreme cold weather arctic shelter,” which would accommodate a squad and also withstand high winds and temperatures of at least 35 degrees below zero.

Changes to the arctic tent, in use since the 1950s, would be more dramatic. Officials want a replacement that sleeps 15 Marines, but weighs less and packs smaller than the existing 76-pound shelter, which breaks down to a 7.3-foot cube, said Capt. Geraldine Carey, a SysCom spokeswoman. Size and weight have not been determined, but the advertisement said the service is looking for a shelter that has more floor space than the 199 square feet available in the 10-man tent.

“We sent out a (request for information), which we are receiving information back on and will review,” Carey said. “We are working on the performance requirements rather than a solution.”

Ideally, the new tent will withstand 70-mph wind and temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees, conditions nearly approached during the Korean War, when thousands of Marines suffered frostbite during engagements such as the Battle at Chosin Reservoir. The Corps has not required a fabric; the existing tent is made of cotton and wind-resistant sateen.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/03/marine_tents_030909w/%2e