Mainstream Awarded Contract to Demonstrate Their Self-Heating Self-Hydrating Combat Ration

ROCKLEDGE, FL – November 14, 2005 – Mainstream Engineering Corporation, leading research, and development company specializing in advanced thermal control and energy conversion, has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center to demonstrate a self-heating self-hydrating combat ration.

Individual Warfighters need to have beverages and rations that can be heated while on the move. The current Flameless Ration Heater (FRH) provides an acceptable means for heating prepackaged foods that are already hydrated. However, it is inadequate for heating dehydrated rations and for providing water for beverages.

Mainstream’s unique self-heating, the self-hydrating pouch can be used not only to heat but also to hydrate beverages and dehydrated meals. This pouch integrates advanced membrane technology with water purification and hydrogen capture technology to provide a flameless ration heater that is safer and lighter than current MRE flameless heaters.