Capability gap closed: Hand-over of mobile field kitchen

The “two-container kitchen” - also known as mobile field kitchen - will supply our troops in future. Annette Lehnigk-Emden, Director-General of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr) received the symbolic key to the kitchen on November 27 from Kärcher Futuretech Ltd. In Schwaikheim near Stuttgart.

Before series production readiness and, therefore, hand-over of the key, the new mobile field kitchen was submitted to rigorous trials under extreme conditions: Neither extreme heat nor extreme cold may make a difference to it. In addition, it is to offer the same possibilities as a normal kitchen - on top of being energy efficient and mobile. To achieve this aim, BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr cooperated beforehand with the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Land-Based Vehicle Systems, Engineer and General Field Equipment (WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 41), other Bundeswehr agencies and the manufacturer Kärcher Futuretech Ltd - successfully: The system can now be fielded to ensure the provision of food to the troops anywhere.

As the Director-General underlined in her speech, “mission capability is very much dependent on troop meals”. She explained that everybody can easily imagine the positive effect of a good meal after a strenuous effort. Historically, food for mobile forces has always been of enormous importance. Since troop meals have had to become mobile, the mission changed considerably. This led to a capability gap, which finally has been closed, according to Director-General Lehnigk-Emden. Overall, 400 such systems are to be handed over to the military.

Meals on missions - all inclusive

From steaming vegetables, via baking of bread, up to doing the dishes: Mobile field kitchens contain all the necessary equipment and functionalities, programmable, at that. Automatic cleaning is also included. Preparing meals for the military is made a lot easier.

The new system offers the catering capacity for 250 people. This capacity includes catering in an operational environment with 80 percent convenience products and 20 percent fresh food, including all beverages. 24-hour autonomous operation is possible, too. All the food and the power supply for this can be stored in the system. And this is possible while adhering to the most stringent hygiene regulations.

Furthermore, the system was designed to permit using the thermal discharge of the generator for preheating of water for cooking. In this way, the system is particularly energy efficient. This saves resources and, therefore, money.

by Heike Westhöfer