British field new 12-hour ration pack

[donaldjcheek]

The British army has introduced a new ration pack for troops on patrols lasting 12 hours or less. The new ration pack is light in weight (less than 1 kg), yet nutritionally balanced.

It includes a chemical ration heater (looks like it's water activated) to heat the retort-pouched main meal, but the ration also contains a wide selection of ready-to-eat foods such as beef jerky and a pocket sandwich, plus energy enhanced snack bars and beverage powders. The entire ration can be broken down and carried in pockets or webbing pouches as needed.

This is billed as "a typical menu":

-Barbecue beef sandwich
-Meatballs & pasta or Pasta Bolognese*
-Beef jerky
-Fruity Oaty biscuit
-Menthol chewing gum
-Golden oat bar
-Fruit & nut mix
-Mixed fruit sweets
-Lemon energy drink
-Cherry isotonic drink
-Two raspberry-flavored water drinks

Each pack also contain a chemical heating pouch, water sterilizing tablets, a reusable plastic bag, a pack of tissues, a plastic spoon and individual wet wipes.

*Other menus offer chicken curry or Steak & Vegetables. There are also Sikh, Hindu, Muslim and Vegetarian offerings.

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/Defen ... ntLine.htm

[hannonmc]

Seems like a British FSR.

Looks like they are using the Bridgeford sandwich. All in all, looks good. Also nice to see a FRH in there for heating the meal.

[cavguy]

Yep looks like they are going the first strike route as well but they still need to cut out that big cardboard box. Wonder if Bridgeford is making special flavor sandwiches for them.

[housil]

Great find!

[alcockell]

More importantly - are Bridgford going to be setting up a UK civi sales arm? Cos it might be nice to try a couple of those sandwiches.

[rationtin440]

Interesting that it appears that the ration does not contain the chocolate bars. Is this a new policy with the MOD or are they still included with every rationpack?

[britman]

Interesting that it appears that the ration does not contain the chocolate bars. Is this a new policy with the MOD or are they still included with every rationpack?

The standard GP (also known as 24hr) ORP has gone from 2x choccie bars (Yorkies most recently, used to be Duncans back in the day) down to 1x choccie bar (a no-frills type made in Italy for F R A Angelico) and 1x cereal bar (golden oats and suchlike).

The other day I was issued a Multi Climate Ration (not this 12hr ration type, the full size 24hr MCR) and it turns out that the only chocolate in the thing is the hot chocolate powder for brewing up with. You now get 2x cereal/energy bars instead of chocolate or a mix. The reason being the MCR was developed for hot climates and chocolate bars would just be liquid the whole time - the irony was we were issued these rations in the UK and the temperatures were subzero the whole time, and you have to treat frozen cereal bars with care if you want to keep your teeth in one piece But the ORP is still a mix of choc and cereal bars.

It's quite interesting that we were issued MCRs (which is basically "the Afghan ration") in the UK instead of usual ORP. I was very impressed with it, even if it was meant as a hot weather ration and we were using it in the moderate cold - it's a well thought out box of goodies. But to supply it non-Herrick instead of normal ORP made me wonder if they have closed down the factory for normal ORP and are just going to switch over to MCRs completely now? Or maybe we just got lucky and got an unexpected crateload of them headed our way?

There was also a feedback form in the rats which mentioned that the process of updating them was ongoing and mentioned a 'final ration solution' to be fielded sometime in 2011. I've no idea if that solution is MCRs plus the new 12hr rations mentioned here (plus 24hr ORP or not?), or if it's something completely different we haven't even arrived at or fielded yet.

[housil]

The reason being the MCR was developed for hot climates and chocolate bars would just be liquid the whole time

That´s why German EPas and French RICRs don´t have milk chocolate but a dark chocolate.
As you mentioned, milk chocolate will melt if temps are getting hot and even an European summer can become too hot for a chocolate bar. Dark chocolate does not melt

[britman]

I never knew that... will have to get some dark 70% chocolate and try it out. I did hear about someone trying to make melt-proof chocolate but if dark choc works naturally that's a lot simpler!

My solution was always to leave the melted wrapper of liquid chocolate out all night, by morning it sets into solid again

[rationtin440]

Thanks for answeing my questions guys! A buddy of mine who studies cold war stuff told me that there was a system of air-defense observation posts in the UK during the 50s and 60s and they had very similar rations to what the 24 hour rationpacks are now, but with alot of what back then would be considered energy bars. I did not know energy bars were around back then, any idea what he might be referring to? He's in his 70s and is a retired SAGE operator for our own Air Force but not sure how good his memory is lately.