NEW * ECOTAT TENT Multi-Purpose TMP * One-Man System *

THE CASE FOR THE ECOTAT TENT, MULTI-PURPOSE (TMP)

TMP as One-Man Tent and as an Anorak Short Coat

By Colonel Richard E. Haislip, USMC (Ret) served with the 1st Marine Division during Vietnam and is currently the president of Ecotat Systems Company.

Ever since Soldiers took to the field, there has been a constant battle not only with the enemy but also with the weather. Rain, snow, sleet, heat, cold and insects have all conspired to sap his strength and reduce his efficiency. Photos of war invariably portray the misery caused by inadequate protection. World War II. Statistics quantified this terrible loss of battlefield strength. TWELVE Soldiers were non-combat casualties versus ONE inflicted by the enemy. Many if not most of these were WEATHER-RELATED.

Analysis of military medical records from our recent wars reveals that twelve Soldiers are lost from battle for environmental reasons for every one casualty caused by enemy action. During the Battle of the Bulge, that ration was seventeen (17) to one (1). Future non-linear battles will be fought with limited logistics support more similar to the Battle of the Bulge scenario.

Soldiers simply cannot carry into battle all that is needed to fight the enemy with superior weaponry and ammunition and at the same time carry all that they need to protect them from the environment or to permit them to rest efficiently when they are able to. Something has to go, and its usually his rucksack/backpack that is dropped off before going into battle.

Some current items in the inventory, designed for this purpose are the poncho, shelter-half, sleeping bag cover, rain suit, parkas, field jacket and others. Unless the Soldier is wearing his parka or jacket, only the poncho is usually included on his actual battle harness. Too often the Soldier in battle finds himself separated from his rucksack/backpack, let alone the logistics support for items needed to sustain him in the field. If he tries to carry his rucksack/backpack into battle, he will be immobile and the enemy could outmaneuver him or simply get away, as was the case recently in Afghanistan.

We can improve these statistics by increasing the means of protection, increasing logistical support and reacting more quickly to fatigue and exposure by withdrawing men to aid stations and treating them. However, none of these solutions are viable as they detract from the combat power needed to win in battle. Increasing protection by adding items is not viable. The Soldier load is already too great – over 100 pounds for a rifleman. We have had to decrease logistical support, transportation and support personnel in order to increase foxhole strength. During the Battle of the Bulge, when lines of logistical support were minimal or non-existant, the non-combat casualty rate escalated to 17 to 1. These are the probable future casualty rates that the military could experience in non-linear operations unless we find an answer.

WE HAVE AN ANSWER.

The Ecotat Tent, Multi-purpose (TMP).

THE ECOTAT TENT MULTI-PURPOSE (TMP) CONCEPT OF USE

Here’s how the Ecotat Tent, Multipurpose (TMP) can help provide a solution.

TMP as Great (Long) Coat

Why the TMP?

First, it allows the Soldier to perform his combat mission with significantly increased protection by modern design. For example, the current shelter-half and poncho designs are almost unchanged after a century of use and apparent shortcomings. The TMP has been successfully tested in climates ranging from tropical to arctic and in varying environments from jungle to urban. Tests done at the U.S. Army Proving Grounds, Aberdeen, MD showed that the TMP could withstand winds up to 45 miles per hour and rain up to a rate of 4 inches per hour. It has also been tested and used by members of the U.S. Army 10th and 11th Special Forces Groups at numerous training locations in the United States, Panama, Norway and Finland. Field user tests were conducted by members of the 4th Marine Division and elements of the 1st and 2nd Marine Division used the system at Camp Lejeune and while serving in DESERT STORM. Properly used TMP can therefore provide protection for the Soldier during the conduct of his battlefield tasks.

To do this the water and wind-proof TMP efficiently traps body heat keeping the Soldier warm and dry. It’s design, unlike the poncho, protects the Soldier a full 360 degrees.

Staying dry when Soldiers must be exposed to the weather during extended periods of time is a must. The Ecotat TMP does this the best. Even if a parka or jacket is water-proof, the wearer will suffer significant heat loss. These garments expose a lot of surface area to the elements. Water penetrates the surface fabric and is constantly evaporating. During this process, heat is drawn away from the body. The Ecotat TMP provides an air layer beneath its shell that significantly tempers heat loss and keeps the parka or jacket and trousers dry. Should military necessity preclude the donning of the TMP and the outer garments do get wet, donning the TMP creates an efficient insulating air layer. This both speeds the drying process and retains much greater amounts of heat near the body.

Currently, we try to stay warm by trapping as much dead air as we can with insulating layers. The amount of insulation you need is dependent on air temperature, wind speed, physical activity and individual metabolism. These are the basic variables we must deal with. All of us have experiences being too warm on a march but too cold in a rest position. The current solution is to vary the layers of insulation. To make this easier, designers have come up with a bewildering array of snaps, buttons and zippers. Ever try to change underwear in a driving rainstorm? It’s easy with the Ecotat TMP! The TMP is an outer garment, easy to put on and take off.

In addition to being water and wind-proof, the TMP is designed to do two things; trap air and ventilate. The two are a must to overcome the vagaries of the weather. The TMP is intentionally large to allow large volumes of air to be trapped in comparison to a traditional parka and trousers. The cape, used by armies for centuries, provides back and wrap around protection. It serves to keep the backpack dry and permits air to circulate around the body. When more warm air needs to be trapped, sleeves can be snapped shut.

The hood opening goes deep into the chest area. This allows heat from the body to escape. If more heat needs to be retained, as simple tug on the draw cord closes off as much as or as little ventilation as you need.

We know that we need more insulation in a stationary mode than in a dynamic mode. The Ecotat TMP accommodates this with the sit shelter for reading a map with a flashlight at night without revealing your presence to the enemy or tent configuration.

As noted earlier, the Soldier must protect himself under all kinds of conditions – fighting, marching, skiing, posted as a sentry, sleeping or just resting. For example, when moving and added protection is required, the great coat configuration is the solution. There are several armies, well prepared for winter warfare, that use a great coat.

We call the Ecotat TMP a true tactical tent because it can be used anywhere. As a tent, no opening is less than 3 inches above the ground. This means you can pitch it in defilade – anywhere. You can control dispersion. Put two together and you have room for three. With accompanying mosquito netting zipped in, the TMP maximizes ventilation and protects the Soldier from disease causing insects in the warmer climates, a major concern with enemies preparing to use Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) attacks on our Soldiers.

The September issue of Army Times reports recent After Action Reviews of recent Afghanistan combat by the 10th Mountain Division reveal the enemy is using blankets to provide camouflage to hide from American firepower:

"The enemy moved in small groups of three to five fighters, making them hard to spot. "During the daylight, we watched them on the Predator," Hagenbeck told Field Artillery. "At night, when these groups heard a Predator or AC-130 coming, they pulled a blanket over themselves to disappear from the night-vision screen. They used low-tech to beat high-tech."

The Ecotat TMP and LWSB-MP could also be used as instant camouflage in the same manner by U.S. forces!

TMP as SUMMER TENT

TMP as WINTER TENT

 

In summary, the Ecotat TMP is:

VERSATILE. You can wear it or sleep in it. The TMP is better at protecting against the rain, wind and cold than a poncho. As a tent, it is better than a shelter-half. In fact, we believe this is the best one-person tent available today – anywhere! Put two together and sleep three (3) if you have a Soldier who has lost his gear in battle.

REDUCED WEIGHT AND BULK. The Ecotat TMP weighs about four pounds and stows into its own carry bag that is 17 inches long and 5 inches in diameter--easily strappable to the top of the rear load carrying buttpack.

 

TMP as instant sit shelter: great for covert map reading with a flashlight

SPEED. The Soldier can set up any of the TMP configurations in a matter of minutes; the most complex in less than five.

ADAPTABLE. The Ecotat TMP can be used in climates ranging from tropical to arctic and in varying environments from jungle to urban. With a summer screen, it is usable in hot weather or, take out the screen and be completely enclosed for a warm winter tent. You can bivouac in a swamp or rocky terrain, in rain or snow. The design of the tent – no opening is less than three inches above ground level – permits a Soldier to bivouac in protected defilade, under a tree – anyplace.

UNIQUE. When worn, it has a cape that can cover the largest rucks/packs and your back. For centuries, Soldiers wore a cape for warmth and protection, so the concept is a proven one.

RELIABLE. The Soldier can carry it with him everywhere. He doesn’t have to rely on a long logistics tail. The material is a 70 Denier 34 filament nylon for strength and durability and is printed in the woodland camouflage pattern.

TESTED. The Ecotat TMP has been successfully tested in all environments from the slopes of Alaska, the tropics of Panama and in the Saudi desert during Operation Desert Storm. Our TMP has been selected to be included in the survival kit by the U.S. Army Aviation & Troop Command and is permanent equipment for all U.S. Marine Corps Reconnaissance Units. The National Supply Number (NSN) assigned by the U.S. Military is as follows:

NSN 8340-01-360-4427 for the Woodland Camouflage.
 

 

TMP as bivy cover for sleeping bag

COST EFFECTIVE. For a combat Soldier the Ecotat TMP replaces ponchos, shelter halves, rain suits (optional), sleeping bag covers, and the sleeping pads if he choses to use natural insulation like leaves under his TMP floor. It also gives the Soldier a parka (anorak) or great coat to wear when he needs it.

Modern weapons with their extreme accuracy rule out using houses or buildings for shelter as they are stationary targets and readily identifiable on most military maps. Shelters that house multiples of five, ten or more troops are relatively large and inviting targets. A key to survival on the modern battlefield is dispersion and concealment. The Ecotat Tent, Multi-Purpose, gives you both.

Conclusion

Whether in action or at rest, the Ecotat TMP provides more functional capabilities and benefits to the Soldier than are currently available with current single-purpose equipment – doing this with less expense, weight and bulk. For the first time in the history of armies, a Soldier can truly be protected from the environment at the same time he is accomplishing his mission. Isn’t the Ecotat TMP a better choice than a repeat of 17 to 1 exposure casualty ratios?

NEW! TMP TIPS: BUNDLING THE TMP'S POLE SECTIONS

More about Velcro's "One Wrap" 2-sided velcro fasteners...

ONE-WRAP® Brand Fasteners

Reusable and flexible, patented ONE-WRAP® brand self-gripping fasteners are a unique back-to-back fastening system. ONE-WRAP® brand straps wrap around objects to be bundled or controlled, and then the remaining strap tip attaches back onto itself for a neat and secure closure without buckles or hardware. Operating temperature range: 0 to 220ºF.

ONE-WRAP® brand Self-Gripping Straps:

Ideal for cord and cable control
Great for network installations
Can be slit, perforated and die-cut to meet specific requirements
Can be cycled (opened and closed) hundreds of times
Available in 11 standard colors
Ideal for electrical & network color-coding
 

Email us at marketing@velcro.com.

ONE-WRAP® brand Work straps from Velcro USA Inc. let you tie up those loose ends. Package of 6 straps each comes in three lengths, 6", 11" and 15" and two colors, red and green. Ideal for all bundling, strapping and coiling tasks!

This is a tent that can also serve as a long or short coat, poncho, sit shelter, sleeping bag cover, bivouac sack A-frame tent, lean-to, field expedient rescue litter, tarp or an emergency body bag.

The shelter may be used as a one person tent or two may be joined to accommodate three people. The all-season tent comes with a mosquito net that zips in one side for those hot summer nights. Two vents provide additional air circulation if needed to control condensation.

 

TMP VENTILATION

FOOT END VENT

HEAD END VENT

The TMP "Freedom Shelter" is made with the latest waterproof and dire retardant fabric. All seams are factory taped to prevent leaks. The total weight, including aluminum shock corded poles, stakes and carry bag is four (4) pounds/1.8 kilograms. It rolls to a compact size of only 5" x 17" / 12.75cm x 44 cm.

The national supply number assigned by the U.S. Military is NSN 8340-01-360-4427 for camouflage colors (Woodland Green or Desert) and NSN 8415-01-417-4003 for solid colors (Earth Brown or Black.)

ECOTAT TENT MULTI-PURPOSE (TMP) "FREEDOM SHELTER"
NSN 8340-01-360-4427 (Camo colors)

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

 

 

Fabric:	100% Polyester warp and filling. 70 Denier 34 filament. Weight 2.1 oz./per sq yd. Grab Tensile -- pounds -- warp 90 x fill 50. Trap Tear -- pounds -- warp 9x fill 8. Coating is a three pass systems of an aliphatic urethane solution which is waterproof and fire retardant.
Colors:	Solid Color (Block or OD) & Camouflage.
Size:	Tent = 8 feet / 2.45 meters long x 38 inches / 93 centimeters wide x 24 inches / 62 centimeters height. Rolls to 17 inches / 43.4 centimeters long x 5 inches / 12.9 centimeters in diameter.
Weight:	Approximately 4 pounds / 1.8 kilograms in carry bag.
Poles:	Shock-corded Easton pre-bent aluminum alloy 7075W with T9 temper (96,000 PSI) tensile strength.
Stakes:	Tough, lightweight 7 1/2" wire skewers stakes.
Screen	Nylon no-see-um-netting summer screen.
Zippers:	YKK # EYE-855L Coil 2 way w/double non-locking pulls for side and1 single pull slider at the bottom. Two YKK # Coil w/ double auto-lock slider for the ends.
Shock-cord:	Nylon wound, withstands temperatures to -20F/-29C.
Seam:	All major seams are safety stitched then double needle lock-stitched. All seams factory hot taped.
Webbing:	Tight weave Nylon or Polypropylene.

TENT, MULTI-PURPOSE (TMP) LIGHTWEIGHT "FREEDOM SHELTER".