First Strike Ration
Encyclopedia
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, designed to be consumed during the first 72 hours of conflict, created by the United States Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Massachusetts
Natick, Massachusetts
Natick is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. Natick is located near the center of the MetroWest region of Massachusetts, with a population of 33,006 at the 2010 census. Only west from Boston, Natick is considered part of the Greater Boston area...
. The Army claims that the FSR substantially reduces weight and load and is intended to enhance a consumer's physical performance, mental acuity, and mobility.
Features
The FSR is a new assault ration developed to provide mobile soldiers with a variety of foods that are lightweight, calorically dense, familiar, and which are "easy to consume" intermediate moisture foods.Enhanced mobility. All components of this lightweight ration are claimed to be "familiar, performance-enhancing, eat-out-of-hand" foods that require little or no preparation by the soldier. The beverages are reconstituted (CamelBak
CamelBak
CamelBak Products, LLC is an outdoors equipment company known primarily for its hydration products, such as hydration packs and water bottles. CamelBak is also a supplier of hydration packs, protective gear, and other products to the U.S. military and law enforcement agencies around the world.The...
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.
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.