supplementary accommodation module contains a communal tent, with standing height for greater comfort, space for command meetings or for drying equipment and a hanging lamp, a table, four stools and four field mattresses. The communal tent can be linked to a one-man tent on each side. The connectable capability, being unavailable in the civilian market, had to be developed, according to the BAAINBw Bundeswehr procurement authority. All the modules had to be adapted to the military challenges without making them significantly heavier or more expensive. The tents are made of coated nylon from Westfield Outdoors in Krefeld, which is not available for the civil market. Each one-man tent weighs around 3kg, including headlamp. The floor of the large tent has a water column of 10,000l, and can be removed or replaced with a zip. The bag with table, chairs and couches weighs 16.3kg, the communal tent 18.3kg and the lighting (tent lamp and four headlamps) comes from Black Diamond, adapted to military requirements. The tent lamp is the VOLT LED, using three AA batteries, with a red light integrated and the built-in 2600mAh Li-Ion battery removed. The STORM was adapted for the headlamp, also with a red light, using three AAA batteries and providing some 500 lumens. Both lamps are dimmable and the tent lamp offers white and red light. The catering module includes a cooking pot with lid, a multifuel cooker, a fuel pump, fuel bottle, windbreak, four insulated bottles (all from Primus in Sweden), four Göffel (‘Spork’ combined plastic spoon and fork) and packed in three bags, one of which is heat-resistant, so the cooker and pot can be quickly packed while still warm. Total weight is four kilograms. The sanitation and hygiene module is a dry toilet from CarpLife with a tent for privacy and weather protection. In addition, there are 170 wet wipes, soap, 72 collection bags for excrement and 70 sachets of thickener, each binding one of liquid. The system weighs 6.4 kilograms. Kärcher is already thinking about early improvements. Addressing the potential requirement for ‘smaller and lighter,’ a portfolio expansion is being considered: a combination heating/cooling/electricity/hot water unit), sleeping bag, backpack, shower, camouflage net or additional cooking utensils. The large tent already features two access points for an air-conditioning hose. Initial considerations and definition of the capability gap for the Bwgl UiE SK were made in 2015, a functional requirement document issued in 2018 and a selection decision in May 2019. The contract followed in April 2021, in which Kärcher Futuretech prevailed against four competitors. On 28 June, Kärcher Futuretech GmbH handed over the Bwgl UiE SK system (Bewegliche Unterbringung im Einsatz Streitkräfte – Mobile Accommodation for Deployed Armed Forces) to Bundeswehr representatives. The system consists of modular equipment for rapid mobile operations, effectively representing a link between the Bundeswehr’s personal half-tent and the larger, static type 2 tent. Being issued at the unit rather than personal level makes it more flexible. A system consists of three components: accommodation; food; sanitation and hygiene. The tents do not require tools and can be erected quickly by two soldiers. The customer expressed very clear specifications for the design, and it is therefore optimised in terms of weight and volume. According to Kärcher, this was a challenge, especially with the sanitation and hygiene module. However, with a total weight of just under 60kg, it can be transported by vehicle and set up wherever the unit is located, or where the field camp will later be located. It is a compelling solution, not only from its low size and weight, but also in its unique modular packaging concept. All components are simple and intuitive to handle and can be assembled or dismantled extremely quickly. Two batches, totalling 3,250 sets, have already been supplied, meaning that around 10,000 soldiers can be equipped and accommodated. VJTF 2023 is planned as the first user, thus involving a deployment to Norway. Kärcher Futuretech states it is able to provide 10,000 more systems at short notice - with a lead time of six months. The framework agreement provides for 19,000 systems over a period of seven years. Bundeswehr representatives praised the on-time, on-budget delivery, despite COVID and other challenges and emphasised the system provides troops with modern equipment in large quantities. According to Kärcher, the requirement to withstand 110km/h winds was one of the biggest hurdles in development. Other requirements were high tear strength and tear propagation resistance for the textiles, as well as further stress and climate tests – and the material also had to be so tight that an interior lamp was not visible outside. @SUB:The System @TXT: The accommodation module is designed for four persons, and contains four one-man tents as well as four headlamps. The sleeping area offers enough space for a 200x75cm field mattress, the soldier and the 110l backpack system. Inner and outer tents can also be used separately as required – the inner tent, for example, provides mosquito protection when pitched in a hangar. The one-man tents can be connected like a tube at both head ends, with connection tunnels for this purpose. The Special Feature MT 4/2022 · 53 A former paratrooper and Bundeswehr officer, André Forkert offers refreshing perspectives on a broad spectrum of defence issues for Mönch Group publications on a regular basis. André Forkert Kärcher Delivers Modular Mobile Accommodation to Bundeswehr Left to right: - A modular, flexible system based on a keen understanding of the challenges, operational needs and human factors requirements at work. - No aspect of camp life is forgotten! - All the comforts of home – almost. (Photos via André Forkert) f
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