Mainstream Engineering to Develop an Innovative Vapor Compression Ice Maker for U.S. Army Warfighters

ROCKLEDGE, FL – November 4th, 2011 – Mainstream Engineering Corporation has been awarded a contract from the Army to develop an innovative vapor compression ice maker for the theatre of war. This new award is directly on the heels of more than $100 million in production contracts for both refrigerated containers and improved military air conditioners. These unique products all significantly reduce fuel consumption while helping to save lives by reducing the number of fuel convoys needed.

“When we discovered that the U.S. military was trucking ice to forward operating bases, we knew we had to develop a better method that would eliminate such convoys,” said Dr. Scaringe, President of Mainstream Engineering Corporation. “Using a combination of Mainstream’s internal funding and Army R&D funding, we have demonstrated a compact, portable system that is well suited to these operations,” says Scaringe.

In the successfully completed first phase of the development, Mainstream designed, fabricated, and tested a field-deployable ice-making system that operates on military tactical generators. In addition to reducing the need for convoys to supply the ice and thereby reducing risk to the warfighter, Mainstream’s portable ice-making system can save the government about $363 million over the 15 years anticipated life. In addition, the financial return on the initial investment would be only 10 months.

“Mainstream always seeks high-efficiency, green, environmentally safe solutions that also make financial sense by reducing the cost to the user,” stated Scaringe.

In the next phase, Mainstream plans to deliver a second-generation system for extensive military field tests, which if successful will mean additional production jobs in Florida. Mainstream manufactures all its products in Florida.

“Given the state of the economy and the job losses at Kennedy Space Center, we are excited about the possibility of being able to employ displaced aerospace workers from the local community,” said Scaringe. “This new Army Phase II contract award is another small step in a series of ongoing job-creating programs that we are developing at Mainstream.

“These programs create local jobs, improve the nation’s energy efficiency and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, all while reducing emissions and preserving the environment,” continued Scaringe.

Mainstream Engineering has a history of leading-edge research and development that has resulted in advanced, lean-manufacturing, cost-competitive products, which are all proudly made in the USA.

About Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Mainstream Engineering Corporation is a solutions-oriented research, development, and manufacturing small business founded in 1986. Their primary mission is to transition advanced thermal control, energy storage, and energy conversion technology into high-quality, cost-effective, environmentally safe, green, commercial products. Products include lightweight diesel/JP8-fueled engines (including generators and hybrid vehicle drive trains), advanced thermal control units, advanced biomass conversion technologies, refrigerators/freezers for shipping containers, and the QwikProduct™ line of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products. Areas of advanced research include thermal control, energy conversion, engine and emissions research, energy storage, turbomachinery, chemical technology, and materials science.

For More Information
Brandon Scheckel Director of Business Development, Mainstream Engineering
321-305-5343
bscheckel@10.0.0.66