First Strike Ration

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Dimension of a First Strike Ration

The First Strike Ration (FSR) is a compact, eat-on-the move ration concept from the United States Army, designed to be consumed during the first 72 hours of conflict, created by the United States Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts.^[1] The FSR substantially reduces weight and load and is intended to enhance a consumer's physical performance, mental acuity, and mobility.

1 Purpose
2 Technology
3 Features
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Purpose

Future conflicts will require a new assault ration to provide highly mobile soldiers with a variety of foods that are lightweight, calorically dense, familiar, and easy to consume.

[edit] Technology

The FSR takes advantage of major advancements in food processing, preservation, nutrient delivery, and packaging technologies to include innovative methods in intermediate moisture foods, glucose optimization, and novel packaging materials and configurations.

[edit] Features

Enhanced mobility. All components of this lightweight ration are familiar, performance-enhancing, eat-out-of-hand foods that require little or no preparation by the soldier. Innovative packaging technologies enable the beverages to be reconstituted (CamelBak compatible) and consumed right out of the pouch. No water is needed for food preparation, only for the beverage mix. The food takes the form of pocket sandwiches to be eaten by hand.^[2]

Lightweight. When compared to three Meals, Ready-to-Eat, the FSR reduces the weight and volume of one day’s subsistence by approximately 50%.

Characteristics. The FSR has a minimum two year shelf life at 80°F and provides an average of 2,900 calories per day. The FSR has nine meals per shipping container consisting of three each of three different menus.